A short review of the different estimation procedures that have been used in association with the Rasch model is provided. These procedures include joint, conditional, and marginal maximum likelihood methods; Bayesian methods; minimum chi-square methods; and paired comparison estimation. A comparison of the marginal maximum likelihood estimation with all other estimation procedures is then provided. Marginal maximum likelihood estimation is defended as the best procedure, but serious numerical problems exist even when applying this method. These problems are especially evident for distribution-free marginal maximum likelihood estimation. (TJH)