WSOP Online Implements Rake Cap Increases

Higher Rake Caps Across Most Stakes

While WSOP has maintained its rake percentage at 5.55%, the rake cap—the maximum rake taken per hand—has been raised at most table stakes. These increases primarily impact tables with three or more players, while heads-up rake caps remain largely unchanged.

Here are some of the key rake cap adjustments:

Former $1 caps have risen to $2.

$1.50 caps have increased to $2.

$3 caps have moved to $4.

Some tables have seen the cap go from $3 to $4.50 or from $4.50 to $5.

However, at the highest stakes, WSOP has actually reduced rake caps. For instance, the cap at $50/$100 and $100/$200 tables has been lowered, benefiting high-stakes players. Additionally, heads-up games at these levels have seen a slight drop in rake caps, from $2.50 to $2.25, while three- or four-handed tables have seen the cap fall from $4 to $3.

These changes bring WSOP's rake structure closer in line with competitors such as PokerStars and BetMGM Poker. However, WSOP remains more competitive at high-stakes tables, where it charges lower rake caps than its peers.

Increased Buy-In Minimums

In a further policy shift, WSOP has raised the minimum buy-in for most cash games from 20 big blinds (BBs) to 30 BBs. This follows a controversial decision in November 2024, when WSOP had lowered the minimum buy-in to 20 BBs—a move that was met with criticism from regular players. Many felt that shorter stacks simplified decision-making, reducing the skill factor in deep-stacked poker.

This latest update represents a compromise between the previous standard of 40 BBs and the short-lived 20 BB requirement. The new policy applies to both NLHE and PLO cash games, though WSOP has made two key exceptions:

Heads-up PLO cash games retain a 20 BB minimum buy-in.

PLO8 (Omaha Hi-Lo) games now require a 40 BB minimum buy-in.

Comparing WSOP to Other US Online Poker Sites

The new buy-in rules position WSOP closer to other operators. For instance, PokerStars maintains a 40 BB minimum buy-in across all stakes, while BetMGM generally requires 30 BBs, though some exceptions exist. Meanwhile, BetRivers Poker in Pennsylvania has opted for a fixed 100 BB buy-in for all cash games.

Impact on Players

These updates are likely to generate mixed reactions among WSOP Online’s player base. The increase in rake caps makes games more expensive for many, particularly at mid-stakes levels. However, high-stakes players will welcome the reduction in rake caps at the upper end of the spectrum.

The buy-in increase also introduces a more strategic element to cash games, preventing players from entering with extremely short stacks. This change may encourage deeper and more skill-intensive gameplay, benefiting seasoned grinders over short-stack specialists.

As WSOP Online continues to refine its game policies, players will be closely watching how these changes impact the overall poker ecosystem. Whether these adjustments attract more recreational players or push some grinders to rival platforms remains to be seen.