Which is better ...?

[any2cards]

There is a mjor debate going on between myself and several fellow poker players. We all play primarily at the same location, and I respect their opinions; further they ask me mine often enough that there must at least be interest in mine [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Here is the question. Suppose you are playing 9 handed Texas Holdem, $30-$60. You have a choice of paying time at a rate of $5 per half-hour, or a rake at a rate of 2.5% to a maximum of $4 per hand ($1 at $40, $2 at $80, $3 at $120, and $4 at $160).

Suppose further that every player plays the same number of hands over the same period of time.

Which game would you rather play in and why?

Suppose the rake was altered so that its rate was 5% to a maximum of $4? Suppose the rake was altered so that its rate was 10% to a maximum of $4?

Suppose all of the players did not play the same number of hands over the same time period?

Feel free to comment if your opinion would change if you were rated below average to the rest of the players, equal, or above average.

Any and all comments welcome.

[Ed Miller]

In my opinion, the best drop structure for strong player's longterm profit is just the one that takes the least money off the table. So count how many dollars leave the table in a given time period with the rake and then compare that to the collection... and whichever is lower is better.