Poker term
Seat fee (time charge)
A fixed charge per hour or per session for a seat in a cash game, used instead of a pot rake. Texas card clubs use it because state law forbids taking a cut of pots; some high-stakes games elsewhere use it because it is cheaper than rake at big stakes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a seat fee?
A fixed amount each player pays for their seat over a set period, independent of the pots played. Effectively the same model as a table charge.
How much does a seat fee really cost?
Multiply it out per hour and compare it with your expected win rate. In a small game a fee that looks trivial can be a large share of what a winning player earns in an hour — it is the single most under-counted cost in live poker.