In this chapter, Elliot Roe introduces the Six Levers of Poker Profits, a framework that explains how various interconnected factors determine a poker player’s overall profitability. While technical skill is critical, it is not the sole determinant of success. Many players mistakenly believe that increasing their skill alone will significantly boost their profits, but Roe argues that a holistic approach—optimizing all six levers—is the true key to maximizing earnings.
The Six Levers of Poker Profits
Roe presents an analogy of a control room where poker players adjust different levers to influence their expected profits. While many players fixate on the Skill Lever, Roe emphasizes that five additional levers impact profitability just as much. These six levers are:
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Skill – Your absolute knowledge of the game.
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Edge – The skill gap between you and your opponents.
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Efficiency – How consistently you apply your full skill level in real hands.
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Volume – The number of hands or tournaments you play.
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Stakes – The monetary level of games you play.
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Rake – The fees taken by the house that impact profitability.
These levers are interconnected—improving one can positively or negatively affect others. Success comes from balancing them appropriately rather than focusing solely on one area.
Deep Dive into Each Lever
1. Skill – The Foundation but Not the Only Factor
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Skill represents a player’s absolute knowledge of poker strategy.
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It positively correlates with edge, efficiency, volume, and stakes (better skills allow players to compete at higher levels and play with confidence).
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However, skill alone does not guarantee success—if other factors like volume or stakes are too low, profits will remain limited.
2. Edge – The Gap Between You and Your Opponents
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The bigger your edge, the greater your win rate.
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Playing against tough opponents can neutralize even the most skilled players.
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Example: A world-class player who competes only against the top 10 players in the world may struggle, while a mediocre player in a weak private game can be highly profitable.
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Edge correlates positively with efficiency and volume, as lower-variance games allow players to maintain confidence and play more hands.
3. Efficiency – How Often You Play at Your Best
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Efficiency is the percentage of time you apply your full poker skill to each decision.
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Factors such as tilt, fatigue, stress, and distraction reduce efficiency.
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Efficiency directly impacts edge and volume—playing below your ability decreases profitability and reduces motivation to play more hands.
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A-Game Poker is designed to help players maximize efficiency by addressing tilt, mindset, and performance optimization.
4. Volume – Translating Skill into Earnings
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Even highly skilled players need to put in sufficient volume to generate profits.
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Many players fail to meet their profit potential simply because they do not play enough.
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Volume is negatively correlated with efficiency—playing too much (or multi-tabling excessively) can reduce decision-making quality.
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Burnout from excessive volume can lead to extended breaks, negating profit gains.
5. Stakes – How Much Money You’re Playing For
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The stakes you play directly impact profit potential.
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Moving up in stakes too quickly can negatively impact efficiency (fear of losing can affect decision-making).
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Higher stakes typically have tougher competition, but a strong player at mid-to-high stakes will always out-earn an equally skilled player grinding lower limits.
6. Rake – The “Hidden” Profit Killer
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Rake (the fee taken by the house) directly affects profitability.
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Micro- and low-stakes games often have high rake, making them difficult to beat even for skilled players.
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A game with high rake and tough competition is essentially unbeatable.
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Players must be mindful of rake structures when choosing games, as some high-rake environments can eliminate long-term profitability.
The Importance of Balance & Identifying Bottlenecks
Because these six levers are interconnected, improving one factor at the expense of another can be counterproductive. Instead, players must identify their biggest bottleneck—the factor that is currently limiting their profit potential the most.
Example of Bottlenecks:
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A highly skilled player grinding $1/$2 NL: Even if they have great skill, low stakes cap their profits. Solution: Increase stakes.
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A player with a big edge but playing low volume: Even if they dominate their opponents, they won’t make much money if they don’t play often enough. Solution: Increase volume.
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A player playing too many tables at once: More volume may lead to lower efficiency, meaning bad decisions. Solution: Find a balance between efficiency and volume.
Conclusion: The Key to Long-Term Profitability
To maximize profits in poker, players must move beyond just studying strategy and optimize all six levers. Success is not about finding a single secret to winning—it’s about fine-tuning these interconnected variables to create a sustainable edge in the game.
The smartest players understand that poker is not just about playing well but about creating an environment where they can maximize their skill, volume, and edge while minimizing leaks and inefficiencies.