MGR vs Rake Contributed vs Dealt: Rakeback Methods Explained
The essentials:
- MGR (Monthly Gross Revenue) is the monthly revenue base attributed to a player, not a rake distribution method itself — it's the figure used to calculate rakeback or commissions. Depending on the operator, that base may include certain deductions or adjustments.
- On that base, rake can be attributed using different methods: Dealt (equal split among all dealt in), Average Contributed (equal split among those who put money in the pot), and Weighted Contributed (split proportional to each player's contribution).
- There is no "best" method: it depends on whether you play tight or LAG, your hand volume, and your profile as a grinder or recreational player.
If you've ever wondered what is MGR in poker while reading rakeback program terms, the short answer is: MGR (Monthly Gross Revenue) is the monthly revenue base the room attributes to you as a player, and that base is what's used to calculate how much rakeback you get back. The problem is that MGR isn't a fixed distribution formula — it depends on which method the room uses to calculate how much rake you earn from each hand. We compare here the three methods you'll encounter when choosing a room in 2026: Dealt, Average Contributed, and Weighted Contributed, with numerical examples and a table showing which rooms typically apply each one.
MGR in poker: what each method measures and why it matters
MGR is the monthly revenue base that the operator attributes to your account. From there, the room needs a method to decide how much of that rake "belongs" to you in each specific hand. The three standard methods start from different bases:
- •Who counts: only those who put money in the pot, or also those who folded without betting.
- •How it's distributed: equally among those who count, or proportionally to what each contributed.
- •What playing style it favors: tight/passive vs. LAG/high volume.
This isn't a minor accounting detail. A player who folds much preflop can receive decent rakeback under a Dealt model and practically nothing under Weighted Contributed playing at the same room with the same nominal RB percentage.
Key fact: the advertised rakeback percentage (30%, 40%, 50%) means nothing without knowing what attribution method is behind the MGR. Two rooms with "40% RB" can pay you very different amounts depending on your style.
Comparison table: the 3 calculation methods
| Method | Who generates rake | Distribution | Favors | Typical industry use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealt | All seated players who receive cards, even if they fold preflop | Rake divided equally among all dealt in | Tight players, many hours at table | Standard on classic networks and flat rakeback programs, also as base for level-based VIP systems |
| Average Contributed | Only those who put money in the pot | Rake divided equally among contributors | Players who enter few pots but see them through | Falling out of use, fewer networks use it as sole criterion |
| Weighted Contributed | Only those who put money in the pot | Rake proportional to each player's contribution | High-volume grinders, active LAG players | Current standard at most major rooms |
Note: this table summarizes general industry mechanics, not official terminology from any specific room. MGR is the monthly revenue base to which any of these three rake attribution methods is applied. Before choosing a program, always confirm the exact method in the current terms of each operator — it may change between rooms on the same network or between stakes.
Analysis by criterion: how each method works with numbers
Dealt: equal distribution among dealt players
In this model, the hand's rake is divided among all players who received cards, regardless of whether they entered the pot or folded on their first decision.
Illustrative example: $100 pot, $5 rake, 6-player table where only 4 enter the pot and 2 fold preflop. With Dealt, each of the 6 receives approximately $0.83 in attributed rake — even the two who folded without betting.
- •Advantage: you generate attributed rake (and thus rakeback) even if you play very few hands per hour.
- •Limitation: the distribution doesn't reflect what you actually contributed to the pot. A hyper-aggressive player who puts in lots of money "generates" the same as one who just looks at cards and folds.
- •Some networks also use logic similar to Dealt as the basis for VIP points or monthly levels, not just direct rakeback calculation: all dealt players generate points, whether they accumulate in the pot or not.
In some specialized content you'll also find this mechanic described as dealt rakeback.
Average Contributed: only those who entered the pot count
Here, anyone who folded is excluded and the rake is split equally among those who did put money in, regardless of how much each put in.
Example: six players receive cards, but only three put money in the pot. With a $100 pot and $5 rake, each of those three "generates" $1.67 in attributed rake, whether they bet $2 or $50.
- •Advantage: fairer than Dealt because the non-participant doesn't generate rake.
- •Limitation: still doesn't differentiate bet size, so a passive player paying the minimum receives the same treatment as one who raises the pot.
Weighted Contributed: proportional to what you contribute
This is the method most modern networks use as their calculation base, according to various industry sources. Rake is assigned based on the percentage each player contributed relative to the total pot.
Example: $100 pot, $5 rake. Player A contributes $20, Player B $40, and Player C $40. That's 20%/40%/40% of the pot, so attributed rake is $1 for A, $2 for B, and $2 for C.
- •Advantage: accurately reflects what you actually pay in commission. The more volume and the more aggressive you are with money in play, the more rake attributed to you — and the more rakeback you recover.
- •Limitation: penalizes very selective players. If you enter few pots and with low amounts, your attributed rake (and your rakeback) will be modest even if you've spent many hours playing.
Pro tip: if your style is LAG or you multi-table with high volume, check if the room uses Weighted Contributed before comparing just the advertised RB percentage. It could be the difference between a mediocre program and one truly profitable for your profile.
Advantages and limitations by player profile
In favor of Dealt:
- •You generate attributed rake (and rakeback) even if you play tight and fold often.
- •Useful if you play few tables but long sessions.
Limitations of Dealt:
- •Doesn't reward volume of money moved, only presence at table.
- •Can feel "unfair" if you play very aggressively and contribute much to the pot.
In favor of Average Contributed:
- •Excludes non-participants, somewhat fairer than Dealt.
- •Simple to understand: equal split among those who did put money in.
Limitations of Average Contributed:
- •Doesn't distinguish how much each contributed, so a passive player gets the same treatment as an aggressive one.
- •Fewer and fewer rooms use it as sole criterion.
In favor of Weighted Contributed:
- •Accurately reflects the actual rake you pay.
- •Rewards betting volume and aggression.
Limitations of Weighted Contributed:
- •Penalizes ultra-selective players with few pots played.
- •Requires consistent volume for rakeback to be relevant in absolute dollars.
Winner by player profile
There's no universally best method — it depends on how you play:
- •High-volume grinder / LAG multi-tabler: prioritize rooms with Weighted Contributed, because your attributed rake (and thus your rakeback) will grow in direct proportion to your actual pot activity.
- •Tight-selective player with long sessions: a Dealt model may compensate you better, since you generate attributed rake for being seated even if your hand percentage is low.
- •Low-volume recreational player: in any of the three methods your absolute rakeback will be modest. In this case, a simple flat rakeback program may weigh more than a complex proportional attribution model.
Tip: before choosing a room for its rakeback, calculate your average hand volume per hour and your VPIP (percentage of hands played). With those two pieces of data you can better estimate whether a Weighted Contributed model or Dealt fits your actual playing style.
Terms by market and operator
Rake conditions, rewards, and attribution may vary by operator, market, and regional platform version. Always consult the terms applicable to your account and jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Understanding what MGR in poker is and how it's calculated gives you real practical advantage: it lets you compare rakeback programs beyond the percentage advertised on the website. MGR is only the monthly revenue base; what truly changes your rakeback is the attribution method the room applies on that base. A 40% RB under Weighted Contributed can pay you far more — or far less — than 40% RB under Dealt, depending solely on your playing style. The recommendation doesn't change by room, but by who you are as a player: high-volume grinder, tight-selective, or occasional recreational.
Before focusing only on the big promotion number, ask (or check in the official terms) which attribution method the room uses on its MGR. It's the variable that truly determines how much you'll recover in practice.
Compare each room's terms
The advertised percentage doesn't tell the whole story. Review how each operator attributes rake, what conditions it applies, and what rewards program it offers before choosing where to play.
This content is informational and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Rakeback conditions, licenses, and responsible gaming regulations may vary; always consult current information on each room's official website and, if you have tax questions, with a qualified advisor.
