What Does Vigorish Mean in Poker?
Vigorish, often abbreviated as ‘vig,’ refers to the fee or commission taken by a bookmaker or casino for accepting a gambler’s wager. In poker, it can also apply to the rake, which is the house’s cut of the pot in cash games. Learn more about online poker strategies to manage this cost effectively.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Vigorish:
You’ll hear the term ‘vigorish’ in contexts discussing the costs associated with placing bets, whether in a casino, sportsbook, or during poker games when discussing the rake.
In-Game Example:
During a cash game, the dealer announces that there’s a 10% rake on each pot, meaning the house takes a cut of the winnings, representing the vigorish.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Always consider the vigorish when calculating your potential profits, ensuring your strategy accounts for this cost.
- Common Mistake: Ignoring the impact of the vigorish on your long-term profitability.
- Pro Tips: In games with high rake, focus on tables with more players to dilute the impact of the rake per hand.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Online games often have lower vigorish due to reduced operational costs, benefiting online players slightly.
Alternative names:
Commonly known as ‘vig’ or simply ‘the rake’ in poker contexts.
FAQs:
Q: How does vigorish affect my winnings?
A: Vigorish reduces your net winnings as it’s a cost deducted from your profits.
