Online poker players should always understand the rake (fee collected from poker games) and the rakeback (the refund players get from rake) of their chosen room. This guide anaylzes the Americas Cardroom rake, then explains Americas Cardroom rakeback immediately after.
Americas Cardroom (ACR) is the oldest platform on the Winning Poker Network, established in 2001. The network also includes Black Chip Poker and PokerKing. This helps the network build player pools in different areas while sharing the game selection amongst WPN sites. This shared liquidity ensures a consistent player experience across the network, larger guarantees, and in theory, better promotions for players.
The site primarily caters to North and South American players, explaining peak online times around 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. GMT. This timing can be advantageous for players in different time zones looking for softer competition.
Rake at Americas Cardroom
Rake is something that every player deals with. This is the fee the room operators must charge to keep profitable and it varies from place to place.
ACR charges rake for each cash game hand or tournament buy-in. Cash game rake depends on player count and has a cap based on the limit, whereas tournament rake stays static. Understanding the rake structure is crucial for players to maximize their profits. Here's a breakdown:
Cash Game Rake:
Rake in Americas Cardroom Limit Holdem games.
| Stakes | Rake % / Cap | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 players | 3-4 players | 5+ players | |
| $0.02/$0.04 | 4.5% / $0.01 | 4.5% / $0.01 | 4.5% / $0.01 |
| $0.04/$0.08 – $0.05/$0.10 | 4.5% / $0.04 | 4.5% / $0.04 | 4.5% / $0.04 |
| $0.10/$0.20 | 4.5% / $0.10 | 4.5% / $0.10 | 4.5% / $0.10 |
| $0.25/$0.50 | 4.5% / $0.16 | 4.5% / $0.16 | 4.5% / $0.16 |
| $0.50/$1 | 4.5% / $0.40 | 4.5% / $0.40 | 4.5% / $0.40 |
| $1/$2 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $0.70 | 4% / $0.80 |
| $2/$4 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $0.70 | 3% / $1.25 |
| $3/$6 – $5/$10 | 2% / $0.50 | 3% / $2 | 3% / $3 |
| $10/$20 | 2% / $0.50 | 2.5% / $2 | 2.5% / $3 |
| $15/$30 | 2% / $1 | 2% / $2 | 2% / $3 |
| $20/$40 – $100/$200 | 1% / $1 | 1% / $2 | 1% / $3 |
Rake in Americas Cardroom No-Limit and Pot-Limit Games.
| Rates | Rake | Players in the Hand | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-9 | ||
| $0.01/$0.02 – $1/2 | $0.01 for every $0.20 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $2.00 | $3.00 |
| $2/4 – $4/8 | $0.05 for every $1 | $1.00 | $1.50 | $2.00 | $3.00 |
| $5/$10+ | $0.25 for every $5 | $1.25 | $1.75 | $2.25 | $3.00 |
Tournament Rake:
There’s no need for a calculator here because the rake will be clearly displayed in the lobby. Tournament rake is typically 10% for low and mid-stakes, dropping to 5% for high-stakes events. This reduction in rake for higher buy-ins can be attractive to serious tournament players. Spins always have a 6% rake, which is competitive with other sites offering similar formats.
Rakeback at Americas Cardroom
Especially for professionals and regular players, finding a way to reduce rake is vital. Rakeback is one of the primary ways to do that. Depending on how much you play and the stakes you’re at, these rakeback payments could put a surprising amount of money back in your bankroll.
Here’s how to get rakeback on Americas Cardroom:
At ACR, you need to weigh Rakeback vs Elite Benefits, the two programs that give players rakeback. Essentially, you’re deciding between a flat percentage of rakeback vs VIP benefits that size up depending on your play.
Here are Americas Cardrooms two rakeback programs:
Classic Rakeback Program
By emailing ACR support directly, you can switch to the classic rakeback system with a flat 27% refund on your rake. This program might work best for players who rarely play and are satisfied with less rakeback. However, you can only make this switch once, so choose carefully. Many players prefer the next rakeback program because there’s potential for much higher rakeback.
The Elite Benefits Program
All new Americas Cardroom players start automatically on the Elite Benefits program. It rewards consistent play and can significantly boost a player's bottom line. There are six levels:
- Lieutenant: No requirements, 1x multiplier
- Captain: 750 RPs per month, 1.5x multiplier
- Major: 3,000 RPs per month, 2x multiplier
- Colonel: 7,500 RPs per month, 2.5x multiplier
- General: 100,000 RPs per year, 3.5x multiplier
- 5-Star General: 1,000,000 RPs per year, 5x multiplier
Players earn Rank Points (RP) for rake paid, with 5.5 points per $1. Higher levels offer better conversion rates when exchanging RP for Combat Points (CP), which can be converted to cash. At the highest 5-Star General level, rakeback can reach 65%, making it one of the most generous deals in the industry.
To secure even more rakeback, new players can also get a 100% bonus up to $2,000 on their first deposit. This bonus clears at a 20% rakeback rate, with $1 credited for every $5 in rake paid. A minimum $25 deposit is required, and players have 60 days to clear the bonus. This welcome offer provides a substantial boost to new players' bankrolls.
If you don’t feel like using the calculator, you can ask our support service which program is right for you. We’re online 24/7 and can start sorting out your rakeback situation immediately.
Games Available on Americas Cardroom (Winning Poker Network)
Peak game times on ACR are from about 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. GMT. You’ll still find action on either side of those times, thanks to WPN’s many skins and players in different time zones.
Here are some of Americas Cardroom’s games:
• MTTs: Suitable for all stakes, from low buy-ins to super high rollers. The flagship event, The Venom, has a $2,650 entry and over $10M guarantee. Satellites start at just $0.11, them it accessible to players with various bankrolls. The tournament schedule is diverse, offering a mix of freezeouts, rebuys, and knockouts.
• Cash Games: Limits range from $0.01/$0.02 to $25/$50. Mostly 6-max tables, with full ring options available. Omaha variants are popular, and unique formats like No Rathole Tables and Bomb Pots are offered. These special formats add variety and can be particularly appealing to recreational players.
• Fast Poker: Called "Blitz" on ACR, with stakes from $0.05/$0.10 to $1/$2. Not particularly popular, with 2-3 limits active during peak hours. This format is ideal for players looking to maximize hands played in a short time.
• Spins: Branded as "Jackpots," these are 3-max games with rapidly increasing blinds. Available at $5, $15, and $50 buy-ins. The randomized prize pool adds an element of excitement and the potential for significant wins.
