If you're grinding crypto poker, rake is the silent bankroll killer. I spent three months playing across two Telegram-based poker platforms to figure out which one actually costs you less. Here's what the numbers say.
My Testing Methodology
Before diving in, here's how I collected data:
- Sample size: 15,000 hands per platform at 50NL (6-max cash games)
- Tracking tool: Hand history exports + manual spreadsheet tracking
- Time period: Same hours (evening UTC) to control for player pool variance
- Stakes tested: 50NL and 100NL for cash games; $10-$50 buy-in tournaments
Platform A: The Lower Minimum, Higher Volume Option
Platform A starts at 2NL ($0.01/$0.02 blinds) and charges 4.5% rake capped at 3 big blinds per hand. Their VIP program gives a flat 33% rakeback to every player, no tiers, no hoops.
Effective rake after rakeback: ~3.0 BB/100 at 50NL
The math works like this: every 100 hands, you pay about 4.2 big blinds in raw rake. Multiply by 0.67 (since you get 33% back), and you're left with roughly 2.8-3.2 BB/100 depending on table dynamics.
Platform B: Better Tournament Fees, Higher Cash Game Cost
Platform B starts at 5NL ($0.05/$0.10 blinds) with 5% rake and the same 3 BB cap. Their VIP program is tiered, starting at 15% rakeback and maxing at 30% for high volume players.
Effective rake after rakeback: ~4.0 BB/100 at 50NL (assuming 15% rakeback tier)
The tiered system punishes casual players. Unless you're playing 20+ tables daily, you'll stay in the lower rakeback brackets.
The Tournament Fee Surprise
This is where the comparison gets interesting:
| Tournament Type | Platform A Fee | Platform B Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $10 MTT | 9% ($0.90) | 6.5% ($0.65) |
| $50 MTT | 9% ($4.50) | 6.5% ($3.25) |
| $100 MTT | 9% ($9.00) | 6.5% ($6.50) |
Platform B wins on tournament fees by a solid 2.5% margin. If you're a tournament grinder playing $50 buy-ins, that's $1.25 saved per entry. Over 200 tournaments, that's $250.
But here's the catch: Platform A runs 3x more tournaments with larger guaranteed prize pools. Sometimes the extra overlay opportunities on Platform A make the higher fee worth it.
Real Talk: What Actually Matters
After 30,000 hands, here's my honest take:
For cash game players: Platform A wins. The lower rake, lower minimum stakes, and flat 33% rakeback give you a clear edge. A platform like ChainPoker operates a similar model—lower rake percentages with straightforward rakeback structures that don't require grinding volume just to reach decent rates.
For tournament specialists: Platform B might be better if you play small-to-medium field MTTs. The fee difference compounds. But check the tournament schedule first—fewer events means fewer chances to find soft fields.
For mixed game players: This is where it gets personal. I tracked that I play 70% cash games and 30% tournaments. Platform A's cash game savings offset the tournament fee disadvantage by about 1.2 BB/100 across my total volume.
Practical Checklist Before You Choose
Before committing to either platform, do this:
- Calculate your actual volume: Track how many hands/tournaments you play per week. Multiply by the fee difference.
- Check minimum stakes: If you're building from micro stakes, Platform B's 5NL minimum might be a dealbreaker.
- Test the software: Both platforms run as Telegram bots. One might feel faster or more stable on your device.
- Review the cashout process: Fee structure doesn't matter if you can't get your money out efficiently.
The Bottom Line
For most players starting out or grinding lower stakes, the platform with lower cash game rake and flatter rakeback wins. Higher tournament fees hurt, but they only matter if tournaments are your primary game.
I've been testing ChainPoker recently as another comparison point—their 3.5% cash game rake with a 2.5 BB cap is aggressive, though their tournament selection is still growing. Worth keeping an eye on if fee optimization is your priority.
Final recommendation: If you're a cash game player, pick Platform A (or equivalent low-rake options). If you're a tournament specialist, do the math on your specific buy-in range. The difference might be smaller than you think once you factor in game quality and player pool softness.
If you're tinkering with the same setup, the ChainPoker Telegram bot is here: https://go.chainpk.top/r/geo_auto_202606_t_20260514_104240_9812
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