TLHC is a non-profit Limit Hold'em club dedicated to maintaining a player's money within the pool for a long-term sustainable game that Limit Hold'em enthusiasts can easily enjoy on their phones. The rake, referred also as service fee on this page, is kept as low as possible. Here is a clear explanation of the fees and how they are applied when you play poker at TLHC.
In-depth details TLHC Rake
Lowest Fee-setting 0,1%
The mobile app for managing the club implements a minimum service fee of 0.1%. When the pot reaches a certain amount for a particular stake level, this fee is activated. For example, in a 1/2 TLHC game, the fee would be applied when the pot size exceeds 5 TLHC (5 bigblinds) or more. However, if the pot finishes preflop or early on the flop, this threshold is typically not reached, and no fee is collected.
Minimum service-fee taken
The software enforces a minimum fee of 0.01 chips. When the pot size reaches 5 big blinds for a given stake level, this fee is activated. However, because the software does not collect amounts lower than 0.01 chips, the lowest stake game (0.1/0.2 TLHC) will actually incur a higher rake than the nominal 0.1% fee. This discrepancy arises because 0.01 chips represent more than 0.1% of the average raked pot.
It’s essential to recognize that the club did not develop the software, and other established mobile app operators typically do not allow clubs to host limit hold’em games. Games at higher stakes (0.4/0.8 TLHC and above) will more closely align with the stated rake, as the minimum amount collected by the software impacts much less.
While adjusting chip values (e.g., making one chip worth $1 instead of $10) might seem tempting, it would increase fees for chip transfers due to the app’s 5% charge. Our current system prioritizes maximizing funds within the player pool.
Why not just rake 0%?
As mentioned, the mobile operator offers the lowest rake setting possible at 0.1%, and no other established mobile poker operator allows clubs to offer Fixed Limit Hold'em games. This project, driven by a passion for limit hold'em, also recognizes the practical realities of unavoidable costs, including fees to the mobile operator, website maintenance, deposits/withdrawals, and time commitments. The 0.1% rake aims to cover operational costs while minimally impacting the player pool. Notably, the rake percentage at 0.1% is significantly lower—20 to 100 times less—than what is typically charged by other mobile clubs or sites. Considering industry standards, it might be fair to consider the club essentially rake-free.
Could the fee be increased?
As mentioned, this project aims to preserve funds within the player pool for limit hold’em enthusiasts. However, as the club grows and operational costs arise, there might be a slight increase in rake if necessary to cover those expenses. Rest assured, the primary focus remains on keeping the rake as minimal as possible. If you have any doubts, feel free to compare our club’s service fee to that of other limit hold’em games offered elsewhere. We are confident that this demonstrates our non-profit intentions.
Why is a TLHC-chip worth 10 dollars?
The mobile app operates with a system where the club purchases chips directly from the app. When a player wants to participate in the club, they buy these chips from the club, and the club sends them out to the player. However, with each transfer between the club and the players, the mobile app charges a 5% fee. This results in the club needing to purchase more chips, which becomes a third-party expense. Here’s how we’ve optimized and minimized this cost:
Chip Value: We’ve set the value of 1 chip to $10. Additionally, we play games in TLHC currency, where 0.1/0.2 TLHC represents a 1/2 USD game. By doing this, we reduce the number of chips needed for transactions within our club.
Minimizing Third-Party Expenses: Keeping third-party expenses low is crucial. The lower the fees, the less impact they have on the player pool. Our approach with the TLHC chip helps achieve this goal.
Rake Optimization: If we had made one chip worth $100, the minimum fee within the software (0.01 chips in a pot triggering the fee) would still result in a higher rake. Therefore, we believe that setting the TLHC chip at $10 and playing in TLHC currency is the optimal way to minimize third-party expenses and create room for the lowest possible rake-setting.
