How to Monetize a Poker Game: Top Revenue Models Explained
Whether you’re launching a real-money poker app or a free-to-play version with virtual chips, there are several proven ways to generate revenue. Each model comes with its own pros, limitations, and technical needs. In this blog, we’ll walk through the most popular poker monetization strategies and how they work without getting too deep into jargon or theory. This article will also be helpful for studios, indie creators, and businesses working with poker game developers and trying to figure out how to make the numbers work behind the scenes. 1. Rake The House’s Share of the Pot The most well-known and widely used monetization method in real-money poker is the rake . It’s the poker version of a service fee; the house takes a small percentage of each pot as compensation for hosting the game. Typically, rake is: Around 2.5% to 10% of the pot (with a cap) Only taken from hands that go past the flop (in some games) Applied differently depending on cash tables vs. tournaments This model work...