[JoshW]

From Card Player - May 16, 2006

Online Gaming Pioneer Introduces First Rake-Free Poker Room

Haden Ware and the rest of the gang at the World Sports Exchange were never afraid of being industry pioneers.

From the time they first took a wager through their online sportsbook 10 years ago, they were determined to make it the best available to their customers. Through word of mouth - few dollars were spent on advertising - the sportsbook became one of the leaders in the new industry. It’s simple, straightforward website appealed to serious bettors, and still does, Ware said. It’s World Poker Exchange room was founded in 2001 because it’s sports bettors requested one. Now, World Poker Exchange is making a push to revolutionize the online poker industry by introducing it’s no-rake policy. By going rake-free, it maintains the spirit that helped bring the poker room online in the first place. “It was really all designed around being a community,” Ware said. “We figured, why not just give it to the players.” This move follows the site’s sponsorship of last year’s London Open, of which the second installment will take place this autumn. Qualifying events will take place at World Poker Exchange.

Click below to read whole article
http://www.worldpx.com/promotions/cardplayer.asp

[LGBoots]

Wonder if this rake free will just be for a promotional period or for ever :confused:

Don't see how WSEX are going to make any profit out of this, unless they hope that the Poker players go on to punt at the casino/Sportsbook

[jumper]

this is a loss leader for the sports book that all my card playing are aware of even though they dont bet sports

[Al Masters]

this poker room always offered the very best of rakes even prior to there 100% rake back policy.


Just a bit of info for anyone thinking bout joining.
when you start playing dont be surprised when you see them taking a rake out of the pot.

All pots are raked regardless what limit your playing, including tourneys.however you will recieve it ALL back(once a week).

why do it? ..... well heres what i think.

First of all the owner of the joint is a sharp guy, he realizes hes to far behind the top tier of rooms to competitivly compete.

So what can he do....hmmmm well if you cant beat em then why not hurt them a bit.(believe me, lee jones was not happy when he heard of this)

Next step lets expose the rake for what it really is.
many players dont realize the damage a rake does
many think ...ahh whats 3 or 4 bucks.

So how do they go about exposing the rake, well they cant, if they dont actually rake it. so they rake it. then in the cashier area they show the player his savings by dumping it on his lap once a week. this will certainly open some eyes.
This is the reason for them taking it and giving it back.IMO
believe me when i tell you the rake back at100% for a big player borders obscene.

Next Haden Ware realizes the most important thing about a poker room either online or brick&mortor.you NEED a good player base or community that plays there

Hes certainly going to attract that, to what extent we dont know yet. heres what he said.

The true differentiating aspect of any poker room,
the ingredient that makes one room better then another is simply the community that plays there.

all serious players know that. No traffic No money(THATS THE ONLY THING A PLAYER AND OWNER HAVE IN COMMON)

Throw in a few crazy promos +sponsoring big live events in europe.

Plus the fact that he can afford to do it.

SO i guess hell take his shot that hell attract enough poker players to this fantastic offer that perhaps a % of them will use there other products.

This 100% rake back policy absolutly crushes any other bonus/promo/gimmick program out there.

Its great for all us poker players....

[Illusion]

unless they hope that the Poker players go on to punt at the casino/Sportsbook

That's exactly what they are banking on. I think it's an excellent strategy.

[JoshW]

Great post Al Masters. I had never really understood why they still took the rake. Makes a lot more sense now.

[joe blow]

Over the last 3 weeks i am up around $80 playing and have received over $700 in rake

Your a fool if you play limit poker and not playing there.The software sucks and there are not enough players in there,BUT playing at the $5-$10 6 man limit table gets you back around $20 bucks per hour

[magnavox]

They may as well sell ad space anywhere on the screen in the future. This can bring substantial revenue for them, especially if this poker room makes it big.

[scottyy11]

well i think party said they had a huge increase in revenue when they added blackjack so maybe it is viable