I'm an experienced *limit* Holdem player, though It's been a while since I've played seriously, I've spent a reasonable amount of time in a casino, and a lot of time playing 4-6 tables simultaneously online in the past.

A typical rake on a $2-$4 limit game will be 10%, usually with a $3 limit on the rake. This is enough to make the game barely profitable for an excellent player. If you care about profit for long term playing, finding a table with a lower rake is key. IIRC it was 10% to $4 at Foxwoods when I used to go, which, at 30 hands per hour is going to be a bit less than $120/hour. That seems high, and it makes the game almost unprofitable. The higher limits aren't as bad, though.

If you're in Vegas, check out Excalibur. They have a mixed limit $1-3 and $2-6 game where the pots will tend to be bigger, so the rake will take a somewhat smaller chunk out of what you pay to play, and it makes the game more interesting.

The other alternative for a lowish rake is the $3-6 at Stardust, which, the last time I was there, was 5%, but I don't recall what the limit was.

If you're stuck at a place with a high rake, the best way to play is to play extra tight, and look for action when you have great hands in a large pot (IE drawing to a flush from the flop, or pocket pairs made in to a set on the flop), and if you encounter a tight game, go somewhere else if at all possible.

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