Note: The article has been updated to reflect that WSOP’s fixed buy-in policy includes exceptions for heads-up PLO cash games (20 BBs) and PLO8 (40 BBs).
WSOP Online has quietly updated its cash game policies, adjusting the rake cap and increasing the fixed buy-in.
These changes affect the shared liquidity network across New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan and took effect earlier this week alongside a software update.
While the rake percentage remains unchanged at 5.55%, the rake cap has increased for most NLHE and PLO stakes, making games more expensive overall. However, high-stakes tables have seen a reduction in the rake cap.
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Poker rooms implement a rake cap to limit the maximum amount taken from a single pot. Without it, rake at high-stakes tables could reach three figures in a single hand. Typically, rake caps range from $1 to $5 but can be higher depending on the stakes and number of players at the table.
Most table stakes at WSOP Online with buy-ins of $0.05/$0.10 and above have seen an increase in the rake cap. For example, previous caps of $1 have been raised to $2, $1.50 to $2, and $3 to $4. In some cases, the cap has increased from $3 to $4.50 or from $4.50 to $5.
These increases primarily apply to tables with three or more players, while the rake cap for heads-up play has largely remained unchanged.
Not all stakes have seen a rake cap increase. At higher stakes, such as $50/$100 and $100/$200, the cap has actually been reduced. Heads-up games now have a lower cap, dropping from $2.50 to $2.25, while tables with three or four players have seen a decrease from $4 to $3.
The rake rate remains unchanged, set at $0.01 per $0.18 in the pot (5.5%) for stakes ranging from 2NL to 500NL. For 10NL and higher, the rake is 3%, with the operator charging $0.03 per $1 in the pot.
Despite the rake cap increase, WSOP’s pricing remains largely in line with its competitors. At some stakes, WSOP charges a lower rake cap, while at others, it is slightly higher. Overall, its rake structure closely resembles that of BetMGM Poker and PokerStars, though WSOP charges less at higher stakes.
WSOP is not the only operator adjusting its pricing recently—PokerStars implemented a rake increase in November 2024. The changes were significant, with the lowest stake, 2NL, rising from 3.5% to 5.5%, while 5NL increased from 4.15% to 5%. At 10NL and 25NL, the rake jumped from 4.5% to 5.5%. Despite these increases, PokerStars’ pricing remains competitive within the industry.
Meanwhile, the newly launched BetRivers Poker, currently operating only in Pennsylvania, offers the lowest rake in the US, charging between 4.5% and 4.75% at most low and mid-stakes tables and 3% at higher stakes.
US Online Poker Rooms Rake Comparison
| Operator | State | Rake % | Rake Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSOP | NV, NJ & MI | 3% – 5.50% | $0.30 – $5 |
| PokerStars | NJ, MI & PA | 5% – 5.50% | $0.50 – $4.50 |
| BetMGM | NJ, MI & PA | 5.50% | $0.50 – $5 |
| BetRivers | PA | 3% – 4.75% | $0.30 – $3 |
Fixed Buy-in Increase Following Drop Late Last Year
In addition to the rake adjustments, WSOP has increased the minimum buy-in for cash games from 20 big blinds (BBs) to 30, affecting both NLHE and PLO. This comes after the operator lowered the minimum buy-in from 40 BBs to 20 BBs in November 2024—a move that was poorly received by regular players, who argued that shorter stacks reduce the skill and strategic depth of deep-stacked poker.
Now, the operator appears to have settled on a middle ground. Most operators set the minimum buy-in at 40 BBs, which is the standard across both online and live poker rooms, with a typical maximum of 100 BBs.
However, the operator has made an exception for heads-up PLO cash games, where the minimum remains 20 BBs, and for PLO8, where it is set at 40 BBs.
Cash game tables with lower buy-in requirements tend to be easier to play, as they simplify decision-making—often reducing hands to an all-in or fold scenario pre-flop. This short-stack format appeals to recreational players by limiting complex post-flop play.
PokerStars maintains a standard minimum buy-in of 40 big blinds (BBs) across all stakes, with a maximum of 100 BBs. BetMGM generally sets its minimum buy-in at 30 BBs for most stakes, though exceptions exist, such as $0.02/$0.05 FastForward (its FastFold variant) and $25/$50, where the minimum is set at 20 BBs.
Meanwhile, BetRivers Poker in Pennsylvania follows a different approach, requiring a fixed 100 BB buy-in—similar to its predecessor, Run It Once Poker. This structure is designed, in part, to encourage better bankroll management among both recreational and professional players.
In the global dot-com market, GGPoker is one of the few operators that allow a minimum buy-in as low as 20 BBs.
US Online Poker Rooms Fixed Buy-in Comparison
| Operator | Min Buy-in | Max Buy-in (BBs) |
|---|---|---|
| WSOP Online | 30 BB | 100 BB |
| PokerStars USA | 40 BB | 100 BB |
| BetMGM Poker US | 20 – 30 BB | 100 BB |
| BetRivers Poker PA | 100 BB | 100 BB |
