What does the term 'rake' refer to in poker?

The term 'rake' refers to the fee that the house, or casino, takes from each pot in poker. This is a standard practice within poker rooms and online poker platforms, where a small percentage of the pot is collected as revenue for hosting the game. The rake ensures that the establishment can cover operational costs, such as staff salaries and maintaining the gaming environment, while providing a venue for players to compete.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of poker gameplay. The amount won by a player in a round pertains to the individual player's success rather than the game's operational structure. Bonuses for tournament winners are incentives or rewards given for achieving high placements in tournaments, while the stake required to join a game refers to the amount a player must pay in order to participate in a poker game initially. Each of these elements plays a distinct role in poker, but only the rake specifically describes the fee taken by the house from each pot.