Rake is the room's fee
In a cash game, the poker room generally removes a portion of eligible pots according to its rules. A structure written as “10% to a maximum of $20” means the amount increases with the pot until it reaches the cap.
Why the cap is not the whole story
You also need to know when rake begins, whether there is a no-flop-no-rake rule, and whether separate jackpot contributions apply. Great Canadian Toronto currently publishes “No Flop No Rake” and a minimum $2 rake after the flop in its house rules.
Rake and low stakes
Rake is proportionally more important when pots and player edges are small. This is one reason a live player's results cannot be understood by looking only at hands won and lost.
Published examples
Great Canadian Toronto and Pickering currently publish 10% rake to a maximum of $20 for the listed games on their poker pages. Always verify current rules at the room.
Sources
Why rake matters to a cash-game player
Rake is a cost of playing
Cash-game pots are commonly subject to a house collection under the room’s published rules. The exact method can depend on game, stakes and venue. A player should compare the current room rule rather than assume one Ontario room uses the same cap or percentage as another.
Small pots and short-handed games can feel the cost differently
A capped percentage collection represents a different share of a small pot than a large one. Some rooms also use time collections or different structures in particular games. This is why headline stakes alone are not enough to compare two cash games.
Use primary room information
TorontoPoker.org records rake only when a venue publishes enough detail to support it. If a current cap or collection method matters to your decision, verify the room’s official poker page or contact the poker desk before travelling.