It's a misconception that Party's rake is higher.

[AncientPC]

People always state that Stars / UB's rake is lower than Party, and that's one of the reasons they play at those sites. That is simply not true.

Here are links to the three rake charts for comparison:
http://www.partypoker.com/games/rake.html
http://www.pokerstars.com/rake.html
http://www.ultimatebet.com/rules-strategy/rake.html

In regards to PL / NL, the rake structure is the same across all three sites, 5¢ / $1. Even though it's not listed correctly on the site, Party's rake is actually capped at $2 for the NL 6-max tables. Stars and UB don't offer shorthanded NL tables so I can't compare (although shorthanded NL is a very profitable game [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]).

I do concede that the rake is higher for Party .5/1 and 1/2 limit. They rake 50¢ at $5 and 75¢ at $12 compared to Stars' 25¢ / 50¢ and UB's 20¢ / 60¢ respectively. Keep in mind though that Party rakes at $5 / $12 / $20 intervals as opposed to $5 / $10 / $15 / $20 intervals. I don't think the $15 interval makes enough of a difference to tip the scales in their favor though.

At each level:
.5/1 - Stars rocks, UB sucks (they rake 10¢ / $2), Party sucks the most.

1/2 - Party has an advantage with $10-$11 pots, disadvantage with $12-$14 pots, otherwise it's the same as the other two sites.

2/4 - Stars is the big winner by only raking every $20. Party comes in second raking 50¢ / $10. UB loses raking 25¢ / $5.

3/6 (and 4/8) - Stars still comes out first. Party and UB are equal.

5/10 through 10/20 - Stars and UB are tied for first, Party is still raking every $10.

15/30 and above - UB comes out ahead, they rake less at the biggest intervals. Party comes in second because they increase the rake interval just a bit. Stars is last, almost guaranteeing a $3 rake if there's a flop.

However in general, most people agree that Party is the softer site compared to the other two. I just don't see a reason to play at another site simply because of rake. Of course software, customer support, tournament structure and selection are other factors to consider.

I don't play limit so I can't give any numbers, but if possible could some of tell us how much table rake paid per range of hands? In PT -> Game Notes -> Get All. Make sure you only select one level.

For a NL comparison, $6,200 was raked over my last 10.5k hands at Party NL100 6-max.

[Cubswin]

Maybe if we ask nicely havana banana can post his comparative rake tables... havnt seen them and quite awhile....

[AncientPC]

That would be nice. Party increased their rake before I started playing poker, so I don't have that "well it used to be better" feeling.

[MEbenhoe]

[ QUOTE ]
2/4 - ... Party comes in second raking 50¢ / $10...



[/ QUOTE ]

Party doesn't rake until $20 on 2/4

[playersare]

[ QUOTE ]
1/2 - Party has an advantage with $10-$11 pots, disadvantage with $12-$14 pots, otherwise it's the same as the other two sites.

[/ QUOTE ]
there is no party rake advantage at $1/2. all three sites would take 50c out of $10 and $11 pots. the $12 threshold at party is very strategically placed (as it is for True Poker as well) since the average pot size at $1/2 will land just above that amount (6-7BB's).

low limit players should NOT play on the party skins without a pending bonus offer - even 25% rakeback is not enough the 50-100% increase in rake at $5-$9, $12-14 pots. on the OTHER hand, with a 5x/7x bonus deal in place, the net return on rakeback equivalent on Party beats UB and PS handily. let's compare:

50c/$1 (avg. pot size $6-7)
1. Party Poker - rake 50c (attributed per player 5c) - bonus 14-20c - net (+9-15c)
2. UB - rake 30c (attributed 3c) - bonus 2.5c - net (-0.5c)
3. Poker Stars - rake 25c (attributed 2.5c) - bonus zero - net (-2.5c)

$1/2 (avg. pot size $12-14)
1. Party Poker - rake 75c (attributed 7.5c) - bonus 14-20c - net (+6.5-12.5c)
2. UB - rake 50c (attributed 5c) - bonus 5c - net (even)
3. Poker Stars - rake 50c (attibuted 5c) - bonus zero* - net (-5.0c)
*20c bonus awarded for $15 pot, so net might be about breakeven if every 4 hands is 7.5BB+

$2/4 (avg. pot size $24-28)
1. Poker Stars - rake $1 (attributed 10c) - bonus 20c - net (+10c)
2. Party Poker - rake $1 (attributed 10c) - bonus 14-20c - net (+4-10c)
3. UB - rake $1.00-$1.25 (attrbitued 10c-12.5c) - bonus 10c - net (even/-2.5c)

here's what I would consider the best rake/bonus deals at each limit, between these three sites (all assuming w/bonus):
1c/2c - UB (only choice)
2c/4c - PS (only choice)
5c/10c - PS (only choice)
25c/50c - tossup PS or UB (both are a slight net loss)
50c/$1 - Party, then UB, then Stars
$1/2 - Party, then Stars/UB tied
$2/4 and up - Party/Stars tied, then UB

note that UB is not the defacto optimal choice at any limit except 1c/2c which the other sites don't bother to spread.

[Rednax]

Can we combine a few of your excellent posts and turn them into a sticky, so we have less of these endless but understandable bonus/rake threads?

[playersare]

[ QUOTE ]
Can we combine a few of your excellent posts and turn them into a sticky, so we have less of these endless but understandable bonus/rake threads?

[/ QUOTE ]
do you want me to have a life or something? thanks

maybe I'll do a site by proxy.

[sumdumguy]

[ QUOTE ]
$2/4 and up - Party/Stars tied, then UB

[/ QUOTE ]
Last time I played on Stars, the 5/10 and 10/20 6max had max rake $3. If this is still true, then it isn't even close: Stars rake is substantially worse than Party's.

[DanS]

Stars rakes $3 at a full 6max table, Party rakes $2. In addition, the games are softer and better, money movement is faster/easier, bonuses are more ample, and 30% rakeback is available.

But, uhh, Stars has... better tourneys, CS, and software?

Yeah, I know where I'm playing. Good post.

Dan

[vegasbob]

Yeah the stars games take more rake unless there is 5 players delt in then it is the same as party.