MGR vs Rake Contributed vs Dealt: Rakeback Methods Explained
Understanding Poker MGR: Rakeback Calculation Methods Explained
Just closed a rakeback deal or reviewed your account balance at a room and the numbers don't add up? Ever noticed two poker sites offering the same 40% rakeback but one pays you significantly more without clear explanation? The answer almost always lies in a detail most people overlook: the method the room uses to calculate how much rake "belongs" to you on each hand.
If you're new to poker or just researching rooms and aren't sure what rakeback is or what methods exist behind it, here's the straight breakdown.
The essentials:
- •MGR (Monthly Gross Revenue) is the monthly income base attributed to a player—not a distribution method itself, but the figure used to calculate rakeback or commissions. Depending on the operator, this base may include certain deductions or adjustments.
- •On that base, rake can be allocated through different methods: Dealt (equal split among all who receive cards), Average Contributed (equal split among those who put money in the pot), and Weighted Contributed (split proportional to each player's contribution).
- •There's no "better" method—it depends on whether you play tight and selective with few hands, or LAG (loose-aggressive) with high volume, your hand volume, and your profile as a grinder or casual player.
If you've ever wondered what MGR poker means while reading rakeback program terms, the short answer is: MGR is the monthly income base the room attributes to you as a player, and that's what's used to calculate how much rakeback you receive back. The problem is MGR isn't a fixed distribution formula—it depends on which method the room uses to calculate how much rake you're entitled to per hand.
Here we compare the three rakeback methods you'll encounter when choosing a room in 2026: Dealt, Average Contributed, and Weighted Contributed (proportional rake contributed), with numerical examples and a table showing which rooms typically apply each. For a direct look at which operators stand out under each model, check our poker room comparison.
MGR Poker: What Each Method Measures and Why It Matters
MGR is the monthly income base the operator attributes to your account. From there, the room needs a method to decide how much of that rake "belongs" to you on 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 splits: equally among those who count, or proportional to what each contributed?
- •What play style it favors: tight, passive vs. LAG, high volume.
This isn't a minor accounting detail. A player who folds a lot 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 which allocation method sits behind the MGR. Two rooms with "40% RB" can pay you very different amounts based on your style.
Comparison Table: The 3 Calculation Methods
| Method | Who Generates Rake | Distribution | Favors | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealt | All seated players who receive cards, even if they fold preflop | Rake divided equally among all dealt in | Tight players, long sessions | Common in classic networks and flat rakeback programs; also as a base for tiered VIP systems |
| Average Contributed | Only players who put money in the pot | Rake divided equally among contributors | Players entering few but complete pots | Outdated; fewer networks use it as sole criterion |
| Weighted Contributed | Only players who put money in the pot | Rake proportional to each player's contribution | Volume grinders, active LAG players | Current standard at most major rooms |
Warning: This table summarizes general industry mechanics, not official terms from any specific room. MGR is the monthly income base to which any of these three rake allocation methods applies. Before choosing a program, always confirm the exact method in the current terms of each operator—it may vary between rooms on the same network or across stakes.
Method-by-Method Breakdown: How Each Works With Numbers
Dealt: Equal Split Among All Dealt In
In this model, hand rake is divided among all players who received cards, regardless of whether they entered the pot or folded on their first decision.
Visual example: $100 pot (rake generated: $5), 6-player table, 2 fold preflop without betting:
- •All 6 players receive cards; all 6 count for distribution.
- •Rake attributed per player: ≈ $0.83 each.
- •Even the 2 who folded without putting money in receive their share.
Advantage: You generate attributed rake (and therefore rakeback) even if you play very few hands per hour.
Limitation: Distribution doesn't reflect what you actually contributed to the pot. An ultra-aggressive player dumping money "generates" the same as one who just looks at cards and folds.
Some networks also use logic similar to Dealt as a base for VIP points or monthly levels—not just for calculating direct rakeback: all dealt-in players generate points, whether they accumulate in the pot or not.
In some specialist content, you'll also see this described as dealt rakeback.
Takeaway: With Dealt, just being seated and receiving cards generates rake—perfect if you play tight, irrelevant if you play aggressive.
Average Contributed: Only Those Who Entered the Pot Count
Here, anyone who folded is excluded and rake is split equally among those who put money in, without distinguishing how much each put.
Visual example: $100 pot (rake generated: $5), 6 players receive cards but only 3 put in money:
- •Only those 3 count for distribution (folders are out).
- •Rake attributed per player: ≈ $1.67 each.
- •It doesn't matter if one bet $2 and another $50; the split is identical among the three.
Advantage: Fairer than Dealt because non-participants don't generate rake.
Limitation: Still doesn't differentiate bet size, so a passive player betting only the minimum receives the same treatment as one who raises the pot.
Takeaway: Average Contributed rewards entering the pot, but doesn't reward aggressive betting—putting in $2 or $50 leaves you the same attributed rake.
Weighted Contributed: Proportional to What You Contribute
This is the method most modern networks use as their calculation base, according to various industry sources. This is where the concept of rake contributed comes in: rake is assigned based on the percentage each player put in relative to total pot, not just whether they were seated at the table.
Visual example: $100 total pot (rake generated: $5):
- •Player A (contributes $20 → 20% of pot): receives $1.00 in assigned rake.
- •Player B (contributes $40 → 40% of pot): receives $2.00 in assigned rake.
- •Player C (contributes $40 → 40% of pot): receives $2.00 in assigned rake.
Advantage: Precisely reflects what you actually pay in commission. The more volume and aggression you bring to money in play, the more rake gets attributed to you, and the more rakeback you recover.
Limitation: Penalizes very selective players. If you enter few pots with small amounts, your attributed rake (and rakeback) will be modest even if you've spent many hours playing.
Takeaway: In Weighted Contributed, your rakeback is proportional to what you actually put in the pot—more volume and aggression means more rake attributed.
Pro tip: If your style is LAG (aggressive, high volume) or you multi-table with solid volume, check whether the room uses Weighted Contributed before comparing only the advertised RB percentage. It could be the difference between a mediocre program and a truly profitable one for your profile.
Advantages and Limitations by Player Profile
Dealt's strengths:
- •Generate attributed rake (and rakeback) even if you play tight and fold a lot.
- •Useful if you play few tables but long sessions.
Dealt's limitations:
- •Doesn't reward the volume of money moved, only table presence.
- •Can feel "unfair" if you play very aggressively and contribute heavily to pots.
Average Contributed's strengths:
- •Excludes non-participants, somewhat fairer than Dealt.
- •Simple to understand: equal split among those who put money in.
Average Contributed's limitations:
- •Doesn't distinguish contributions, so a passive player gets the same treatment as an aggressive one.
- •Fewer rooms use it as sole criterion nowadays.
Weighted Contributed's strengths:
- •Precisely reflects the real rake you pay.
- •Rewards volume and bet aggressiveness.
Weighted Contributed's limitations:
- •Penalizes ultra-selective players with few pots played.
- •Requires consistent volume for rakeback to be relevant in absolute dollars.
Winner by Player Profile
No universally better method exists—it depends on how you play:
Volume grinder or multi-table LAG (aggressive, many hands per hour): prioritize rooms with Weighted Contributed, because your attributed rake (and therefore rakeback) grows in direct proportion to your real pot activity.
Tight-selective player (few hands, very selective) with long sessions: a Dealt model may compensate you better, since you generate attributed rake by being seated even if your percentage of hands played is low.
Low-volume recreational player: on any of the three methods your absolute rakeback will be modest. In this case, a simple flat rakeback program might matter more than a complex proportional allocation model.
Tip: Before choosing a room for its rakeback, calculate your average hands-per-hour volume and your VPIP (percentage of hands played voluntarily). With those two figures you can better estimate whether a Weighted Contributed or Dealt model fits your actual play style.
Already know your profile? Then the next step is straightforward: compare which method each room uses before deciding—don't just look at the advertised percentage. Check our poker room comparison to see which operators fit your play style best.
Terms by Market and Operator
Rake conditions, rewards, and allocation may vary by operator, market, and regional platform version. Always check the terms applicable to your account and jurisdiction, and compare different rakeback methods before committing to a specific room. To dig deeper into how these programs work, also see our rakeback and AI Points guide to understand the difference between what the room pays back and what the points program adds separately.
Conclusion
Understanding MGR poker and how it's calculated gives you real practical advantage: it lets you compare rakeback programs beyond the advertised percentage on the website. MGR is only the monthly income base; what really changes your rakeback is the allocation method the room applies to that base. A 40% RB under Weighted Contributed can earn you far more—or far less—than 40% RB under Dealt, depending entirely on your play style. The recommendation doesn't change by room, but by who you are as a player: volume grinder, tight-selective, or casual recreational.
Before you focus solely on the big promotion number, ask (or search the official terms) what allocation 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 allocates rake, what conditions apply, 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 rules may vary; always check current information on each room's official website and, if you have tax questions, consult a qualified advisor.
