Omni

Effective Rake in 2016, Part 2

by Omni Poker Labs, June 16, 2016

This is the second part in our series on poker industry rake in 2016. The first part covers PokerStars, WPN, iPoker, and MPN, as well as our methodology (all source code and data is available on GitHub).

We're again covering popular sit & go formats:

this time at 888, PartyPoker, Winamax, and Intertops (Cake/Revolution/Horizon).

In future parts of the series, we'll look at cash games.

Please leave comments in the 2p2, Tiltbook, or Reddit threads.

TL;DR

  • Don't play Sit & Gos on PartyPoker
  • Probably don't play on Winamax either (except maybe 3-max Hypers)
  • 888 is pretty bad, but gets slightly better at higher stakes (still need substantially better winrates though)
  • Try Intertops, especially the (non-lottery) 3-max Hypers have low rake

Rakeback

We assume the following Rakeback deals, which are only available through VIP programs on 888, Party, and Winamax. You can get a flat rakeback deal on Intertops via e.g. RakeTheRake (referrer code: 1155121):

  • 888: 27%
  • Party: 21.2%
  • Winamax: 22%
  • Intertops: 36%

Headsup Turbos

In the tables below, pp is the prizepool contribution and rake is the pre-rakeback rake (as shown in the client, buyin = pp + rake). effective rake is the post-rakeback rake, rake % is the pre-rakeback rake expressed as a percentage of the buyin, and effective rake % is the effective rake expressed as a percentage of the buyin. breakeven is the winrate needed to break even; the ROI N% columns indicate the ROI achieved with the given winrate. These values assume that you're only paying the effective rake (i.e. you're a VIP or you have a rakeback deal).

888

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.72 0.28 0.20 5.60 4.15 52.17 -2.23 -0.32 1.60 3.52 5.43
9.52 0.48 0.35 4.80 3.55 51.84 -1.62 0.31 2.24 4.17 6.09
19.05 0.95 0.69 4.75 3.51 51.82 -1.58 0.35 2.28 4.21 6.14
28.60 1.40 1.02 4.67 3.45 51.79 -1.52 0.41 2.34 4.27 6.20
47.75 2.25 1.64 4.50 3.33 51.72 -1.39 0.54 2.48 4.41 6.34
96.25 3.75 2.74 3.75 2.77 51.42 -0.82 1.12 3.07 5.01 6.96
194.00 6.00 4.38 3.00 2.21 51.13 -0.25 1.70 3.66 5.62 7.57
488.00 12.00 8.76 2.40 1.76 50.90 0.20 2.17 4.13 6.10 8.06
980.00 20.00 14.60 2.00 1.47 50.74 0.50 2.47 4.44 6.41 8.39

Party

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
5.06 0.44 0.35 8.00 6.41 53.43 -4.54 -2.67 -0.80 1.07 2.95
10.25 0.75 0.59 6.82 5.45 52.88 -3.56 -1.67 0.22 2.11 4.00
20.50 1.50 1.18 6.82 5.45 52.88 -3.56 -1.67 0.22 2.11 4.00
51.00 4.00 3.15 7.27 5.82 53.09 -3.94 -2.05 -0.17 1.71 3.60
101.10 7.90 6.23 7.25 5.80 53.08 -3.92 -2.03 -0.15 1.74 3.62
205.00 10.00 7.88 4.65 3.70 51.92 -1.78 0.15 2.08 4.00 5.93
520.00 10.00 7.88 1.89 1.49 50.76 0.48 2.45 4.42 6.39 8.36

Winamax

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.72 0.28 0.22 5.60 4.48 52.34 -2.57 -0.66 1.25 3.17 5.08
9.46 0.54 0.43 5.40 4.31 52.25 -2.40 -0.49 1.43 3.34 5.25
18.96 1.04 0.82 5.20 4.15 52.17 -2.24 -0.32 1.60 3.51 5.43
28.50 1.50 1.19 5.00 3.99 52.08 -2.07 -0.15 1.77 3.69 5.61
47.50 2.50 1.98 5.00 3.99 52.08 -2.07 -0.15 1.77 3.69 5.61
95.00 5.00 3.95 5.00 3.99 52.08 -2.07 -0.15 1.77 3.69 5.61
190.00 10.00 7.90 5.00 3.99 52.08 -2.07 -0.15 1.77 3.69 5.61
475.00 25.00 19.75 5.00 3.99 52.08 -2.07 -0.15 1.77 3.69 5.61

Intertops

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.76 0.24 0.15 4.80 3.13 51.61 -1.19 0.75 2.69 4.62 6.56
9.57 0.43 0.28 4.30 2.80 51.44 -0.85 1.09 3.04 4.98 6.93
14.39 0.61 0.39 4.07 2.64 51.36 -0.69 1.25 3.20 5.15 7.09
19.15 0.85 0.54 4.25 2.76 51.42 -0.82 1.13 3.07 5.02 6.96
28.78 1.22 0.78 4.07 2.64 51.36 -0.69 1.25 3.20 5.15 7.09
57.67 2.33 1.49 3.88 2.52 51.29 -0.57 1.38 3.33 5.28 7.23
96.32 3.68 2.36 3.68 2.39 51.22 -0.43 1.52 3.47 5.42 7.37
193.85 6.15 3.94 3.08 1.99 51.02 -0.03 1.93 3.89 5.85 7.81
Notes:
  • party poker has the highest rake of any of the sites surveyed, Winamax second, 888 third
  • At least party and 888 go down at high buyins (500s +), Winamax seems pretty unbeatable
  • Intertops not fantastic but pretty reasonable (profitable with 52% winrate)
  • Generally, none of the sites are better than those from part 1

Headsup Hypers

Data is the same as for turbos.

888

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.69 0.31 0.23 6.20 4.60 52.41 -2.70 -0.79 1.12 3.03 4.94
9.60 0.40 0.29 4.00 2.95 51.52 -1.01 0.93 2.87 4.81 6.75
19.22 0.78 0.57 3.90 2.88 51.48 -0.93 1.01 2.95 4.89 6.83
28.85 1.15 0.84 3.83 2.83 51.45 -0.88 1.06 3.00 4.95 6.89
48.10 1.90 1.39 3.80 2.80 51.44 -0.86 1.09 3.03 4.97 6.92
97.10 2.90 2.12 2.90 2.13 51.09 -0.18 1.78 3.74 5.70 7.65
196.50 3.50 2.55 1.75 1.28 50.65 0.69 2.67 4.64 6.61 8.59
494.00 6.00 4.38 1.20 0.88 50.44 1.10 3.09 5.07 7.05 9.03
988.00 12.00 8.76 1.20 0.88 50.44 1.10 3.09 5.07 7.05 9.03

Party

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
5.12 0.38 0.30 6.91 5.53 52.92 -3.64 -1.75 0.14 2.03 3.92
10.25 0.75 0.59 6.82 5.45 52.88 -3.56 -1.67 0.22 2.11 4.00
20.50 1.50 1.18 6.82 5.45 52.88 -3.56 -1.67 0.22 2.11 4.00
51.25 3.75 2.96 6.82 5.45 52.88 -3.56 -1.67 0.22 2.11 4.00
101.60 7.40 5.83 6.79 5.43 52.87 -3.54 -1.64 0.25 2.14 4.03
206.40 8.60 6.78 4.00 3.18 51.64 -1.24 0.69 2.63 4.57 6.50

Winamax

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.76 0.24 0.19 4.80 3.83 51.99 -1.91 0.02 1.94 3.86 5.79
9.53 0.47 0.37 4.70 3.75 51.95 -1.83 0.10 2.02 3.95 5.87
19.08 0.92 0.73 4.60 3.67 51.90 -1.74 0.18 2.11 4.04 5.96
28.65 1.35 1.07 4.50 3.59 51.86 -1.66 0.27 2.20 4.12 6.05
47.75 2.25 1.78 4.50 3.59 51.86 -1.66 0.27 2.20 4.12 6.05
95.50 4.50 3.56 4.50 3.59 51.86 -1.66 0.27 2.20 4.12 6.05
191.00 9.00 7.11 4.50 3.59 51.86 -1.66 0.27 2.20 4.12 6.05
477.50 22.50 17.78 4.50 3.59 51.86 -1.66 0.27 2.20 4.12 6.05

Intertops

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 51% ROI 52% ROI 53% ROI 54% ROI 55%
4.88 0.12 0.08 2.40 1.55 50.79 0.42 2.39 4.36 6.33 8.30
6.85 0.15 0.10 2.14 1.38 50.70 0.59 2.56 4.53 6.51 8.48
9.78 0.22 0.14 2.20 1.42 50.72 0.55 2.52 4.50 6.47 8.44
14.69 0.31 0.20 2.07 1.33 50.68 0.64 2.61 4.59 6.56 8.53
19.58 0.42 0.27 2.10 1.35 50.69 0.62 2.59 4.56 6.54 8.51
29.37 0.63 0.40 2.10 1.35 50.69 0.62 2.59 4.56 6.54 8.51
58.83 1.17 0.75 1.95 1.26 50.64 0.72 2.69 4.67 6.64 8.62
98.12 1.88 1.20 1.88 1.21 50.61 0.76 2.74 4.72 6.69 8.67
196.66 3.34 2.14 1.67 1.08 50.54 0.90 2.88 4.86 6.84 8.82
Notes:
  • Party again really insane rake (almost no difference between turbos and hypers!)
  • Winamax almost as bad
  • 888 gets tolerable at 200s (still worse than Stars)
  • Intertops is pretty good, especially at low stakes (and has the lowest 200s rake overall, including Stars etc.)

6-max Hypers

pp, rake, effective rake, rake % and effective % are as for HUSNGs. There are three breakeven columns, indicating the ITM frequency needed to break even given that you headsup winrate is as indicated in the column header (e.g. the breakeven 50% column shows the ITM frequency needed to break even given that you finish first half of the time once you get headsup).

We assume the standard 65% / 35% payout structure (except on 888, which uses 70% / 30%).

The ROI columns show expected ROI for the given ITM frequency assuming a 50% headsup win frequency.

888

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven 45% breakeven 50% breakeven 55% ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39%
4.70 0.30 0.22 6.00 4.45 37.00 35.00 34.00 0.33 3.19 6.06 8.92 11.79
9.45 0.55 0.40 5.50 4.08 37.00 35.00 34.00 0.72 3.60 6.48 9.35 12.23
19.05 0.95 0.69 4.75 3.51 36.00 35.00 34.00 1.31 4.21 7.10 10.00 12.89
28.60 1.40 1.02 4.67 3.45 36.00 35.00 34.00 1.38 4.27 7.17 10.07 12.96
47.80 2.20 1.61 4.40 3.25 36.00 35.00 34.00 1.59 4.49 7.39 10.29 13.20
96.30 3.70 2.70 3.70 2.73 36.00 35.00 33.00 2.14 5.05 7.97 10.89 13.81
193.40 6.60 4.82 3.30 2.43 36.00 35.00 33.00 2.45 5.37 8.30 11.23 14.16

Party

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven 45% breakeven 50% breakeven 55% ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39%
5.00 0.50 0.39 9.09 7.30 38.00 36.00 35.00 -2.67 0.11 2.89 5.67 8.45
10.00 1.00 0.79 9.09 7.30 38.00 36.00 35.00 -2.67 0.11 2.89 5.67 8.45
20.00 2.00 1.58 9.09 7.30 38.00 36.00 35.00 -2.67 0.11 2.89 5.67 8.45
51.00 4.00 3.15 7.27 5.82 37.00 36.00 35.00 -1.11 1.71 4.54 7.36 10.19
101.50 7.50 5.91 6.88 5.50 37.00 36.00 35.00 -0.78 2.06 4.89 7.73 10.56
200.00 15.00 11.82 6.98 5.58 37.00 36.00 35.00 -0.86 1.97 4.81 7.64 10.47

Intertops

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven 45% breakeven 50% breakeven 55% ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39%
4.75 0.25 0.16 5.00 3.26 36.00 35.00 34.00 1.58 4.48 7.38 10.29 13.19
6.71 0.29 0.19 4.14 2.69 36.00 35.00 34.00 2.17 5.09 8.01 10.93 13.85
9.60 0.40 0.26 4.00 2.60 36.00 35.00 34.00 2.27 5.19 8.12 11.04 13.96
28.83 1.17 0.75 3.90 2.53 36.00 35.00 34.00 2.34 5.27 8.19 11.11 14.04
57.70 2.30 1.47 3.83 2.49 36.00 35.00 34.00 2.39 5.31 8.24 11.16 14.09
Notes:
  • Party again unplaybable...
  • 888 also not good
  • Intertops just as good as WPN from part 1 and hence competitive overall

Spin & Go's

The colums are as for the previous formats, execept that we add a pessimistic variant for most values. This gives the numbers assuming that multipliers with probability of < 1/10,000 aren't hit. Note that this is a fairly crude approximation (which penalizes some payout structures more than others) and subject to future improvements.

The ROI N% colums indicate expected ROI given an ITM frequency.

3-max Hypers are just like Spin & Gos, but without the lottery aspect (i.e. similar structure and winner-takes-all).

Winamax Expresso

buyin rake rake % effective % pessimistic rake pessimistic rake % pessimistic effective % breakeven pessimistic breakeven ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39% pessimistic ROI 35% pessimistic ROI 36% pessimistic ROI 37% pessimistic ROI 38% pessimistic ROI 39%
2.00 0.14 7.00 5.61 0.20 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07
5.00 0.35 7.00 5.61 0.50 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07
10.00 0.70 7.00 5.61 1.00 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07
25.00 1.75 7.00 5.61 2.50 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07
50.00 3.50 7.00 5.61 5.00 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07
100.00 7.00 7.00 5.61 10.00 10.00 8.07 35.32 36.49 -0.89 1.94 4.77 7.60 10.43 -4.09 -1.35 1.39 4.13 0.07

Winamax 3-max Hypers

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39%
4.72 0.28 0.22 5.60 4.48 34.90 0.30 3.17 6.03 8.90 11.76
9.46 0.54 0.43 5.40 4.31 34.84 0.47 3.34 6.21 9.08 11.95
18.96 1.04 0.82 5.20 4.15 34.78 0.64 3.51 6.39 9.27 12.14
28.50 1.50 1.19 5.00 3.99 34.72 0.81 3.69 6.57 9.45 12.33
47.50 2.50 1.98 5.00 3.99 34.72 0.81 3.69 6.57 9.45 12.33

Intertops 3-max Hypers

pp rake effective rake rake % effective % breakeven ROI 35% ROI 36% ROI 37% ROI 38% ROI 39%
4.81 0.19 0.12 3.80 2.47 34.18 2.41 5.34 8.26 11.19 14.12
8.70 0.30 0.19 3.33 2.16 34.07 2.73 5.67 8.60 11.54 14.47
14.55 0.45 0.29 3.00 1.94 33.99 2.96 5.90 8.85 11.79 14.73
Notes:
  • Winamax worst of all sites (one full ROI percentage point worse for a given winrate)
  • Winamax 3-max hypers better than their spinsngs
  • Intertops 3-max hypers rake lower than any other site's lottery SNGs

Conclusion

There's a reason why Party/888/Winamax are only popular with MTT players: SNG rake is extremely high, to the point of being unbeatable.
Intertops is quite good overall, and is one of the few sites both supported by PokerTracker and open to US players. Their 3-max hypers have good rake (compared to the competition's lottery SNG rake, which is always high). Spin players should consider playing these if they can get action (since they already have the skill set for them).
Winamax 3-max hypers are better than their spin equivalent.

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