PokerStars Rakeback Equivalents Thread to End all Threads

[spoonitnow]

Overview of the VIP Levels

PokerStars has various VIP levels that have increasing levels of benefits in terms of your FPP multiplier and what level bonuses you can receive. This is an overview of those levels:

BronzeStar - This is the level everyone starts with. Here you get 1 FPP for every 1 VPP you earn.
SilverStar - This level requires you to make 1,500 VPPs in a calendar month, and this status stays with you until at least the end of the following month. Here you earn 1.5 FPPs for every 1 VPP you earn.
GoldStar - This level requires you to make 4,000 VPPs in a calendar month, and this status stays with you until at least the end of the following month. Here you earn 2 FPPs for every 1 VPP you earn.
PlatinumStar - This level requires you to make 10,000 VPPs in a calendar month, and this status stays with you until at least the end of the following month. Here you earn 2.5 FPPs for every 1 VPP you earn.
Supernova - This level requires you to make 100,000 VPPs in a calendar year, and this status stays with you until at least the end of February of the following year. Here you earn 3.5 FPPs for every 1 VPP you earn.
Supernova Elite - This level requires you to make 1,000,000 VPPs in a calendar year, and this status stays with you until at least the end of February of the following year. Here you earn 5 FPPs for every 1 VPP you earn.

(Source: http://www.pokerstars.com/vip/tiers/)


Overview of the VIP Bonuses

There are four distinct VIP bonuses, not counting the milestone bonuses which are covered in the next section. Here is an overview of the VIP bonuses that lists how much the bonus is, how many FPPs it costs, which VIP level it's available for, what the $/FPP value is, what the $/VPP value is if you clear the bonus at its respective level, and how many VPPs you have to get after you buy the bonus to have it released into your account (you keep these VPPs, by the way).

$50 for 5,000 FPPs - Available to SilverStar or higher, $0.01/FPP, $0.015/VPP. (350 VPPs to clear)
$285 for 25,000 FPPs - Available to GoldStar or higher, $0.0114/FPP, $0.0228/VPP. (1,995 VPPs to clear)
$650 for 50,000 FPPs - Available to PlatinumStar or higher, $0.013/FPP, $0.0325/VPP. (4,550 VPPs to clear)
$1500 for 100,000 FPPs - Available to Supernova or higher, $0.015/FPP, $0.0525/VPP. (10,500 VPPs to clear)
$4000 for 250,000 FPPs - Available to Supernova or higher, $0.016/FPP, $0.056/VPP. (28,000 VPPs to clear)

(Source: http://www.pokerstars.com/fpp/store/cash-bonus/)


Overview of the Milestone Bonuses

You receive Milestone Bonuses for breaking a set number of VPPs in a calendar year. Each of the these costs 50,000 FPPs.

$2,000 at 200,000 VPP (10,000 VPPs to clear)
$3,000 at 300,000 VPP (15,000 VPPs to clear)
$4,000 at 400,000 VPP (20,000 VPPs to clear)
$5,000 at 500,000 VPP (25,000 VPPs to clear)
$6,000 at 600,000 VPP (30,000 VPPs to clear)
$8,000 at 800,000 VPP (40,000 VPPs to clear)
$10,000 for every 250,000 VPPs above 1 Million (50,000 VPPs to clear)
$10,000 additional Bonus for 2 and 3 Million VPPs

(Source: http://www.pokerstars.com/fpp/store/special/vip-reward/)


Figuring Out How Fast You Gain VPPs

This thread (also by me) explains in easy-to-do fashion how to figure out your own personal VPPs-per-hand rate at some level using Poker Tracker: http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ps-t65238.html


Some Example VPP/Hand and Rakeback Calculations

The following are hand samples for full ring NLHE taken from PokerStars sometime this year:

Stakes  Hands   VPPs    Rake        Silver RB   Gold RB   Platinum RB   SuperN RB   SuperN4k RB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25nl    28637   3601    $497.60     0.1086      0.1650    0.2352        0.3799      0.4052
50nl    34886   6694    $832.60     0.1206      0.1833    0.2613        0.4221      0.4502
100nl   62250   22783   $2,652.60   0.1288      0.1958    0.2791        0.4509      0.4810
200nl   70562   30400   $3,943.95   0.1156      0.1757    0.2505        0.4047      0.4317
400nl   27523   15447   $2,481.65   0.0934      0.1419    0.2023        0.3268      0.3486

For example, Gold RB at 50nl would be the approximate rakeback % that you would get as a GoldStar VIP member clearing the GoldStar VIP bonus ($285) at that level, and is 18.33%. This is only taking into account the value of the VIP bonuses, and does not take into account the Milestone bonuses or any other VIP club benefits. Also, this does not take into account any value of FPPs you would have gained at a lower VIP level that would go towards a bonus at a higher VIP level.

The following are hand samples for six-max NLHE taken from PokerStars sometime this year:

Stakes  Hands   VPPs
---------------------
400nl   36678   19324
600nl   26874   15984
 1knl   20783   13297
 2knl   19074   13598

I explain how to do some similar calculations in this thread: http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...us-t66606.html


VPPs/Hands Calculator

I made this quick script since people couldn't figure out the math involved and since I got tired of being asked to do it for them: VPP Calculator. Note that since no one has contributed any 6-max numbers, it only gives the numbers for full ring since I don't have anything for 6-max to work with.


Using the Milestones in a Rakeback Calculation

Suppose you plan to play 200nl full ring all year with an average of 15k hands/week, you start the year off as a Supernova, and you would like to know the percentage of your rake that you would get back in bonuses if you only used Milestone bonuses and the $4000 bonus, using lesser bonuses only if you have FPPs left over at the end of the year.

First we need to decide how many FPPs you will gain all year long. Note that 15k hands/week gives us 780k hands over the course of the year, which is about 336045 VPPs, or about 1176158 FPPs. Since we'll be breaking 300k VPPs, we will pick up the $2000 and $3000 milestone bonuses. For simplicity, we will start with those in our calculation.

Starting Balance:                    1176158 FPPs  $     0.00
After $2000 Milestone:  -50000 FPPs  1126158 FPPs  $  2000.00
After $3000 Milestone:  -50000 FPPs  1076158 FPPs  $  5000.00
After $4000 VIP Bonus: -250000 FPPs   826158 FPPs  $  9000.00
After $4000 VIP Bonus: -250000 FPPs   576158 FPPs  $ 13000.00
After $4000 VIP Bonus: -250000 FPPs   326158 FPPs  $ 17000.00
After $4000 VIP Bonus: -250000 FPPs    76158 FPPs  $ 21000.00
After  $650 VIP Bonus:  -50000 FPPs    26158 FPPs  $ 21650.00
After  $285 VIP Bonus:  -25000 FPPs     1158 FPPs  $ 21935.00

Overall, we can expect to pay about $43596.85 in rake over the year, and receive $21935.00 back in the form of bonuses, which comes to about 50.3% rakeback.


PokerStars Reload Bonuses

The typical PokerStars reload bonus is a bonus of $120 on a deposit of $600 (20%). To release the bonus, you have to earn 15x the bonus amount in VPPs, but you still earn the FPPs from those VPPs and you still "keep" the VPPs earned to clear the bonus. At the time of this writing (7/23/2008) there is a WCOOP reload bonus of $240 on a deposit of $600 (40%) as part of PokerStars' 2x Promotion. To release this bonus, you have to earn 20x the bonus amount in VPPs. Since all players earn VPPs at the same rate (dependent on their stakes, of course) the approximate equivalent rakeback from this bonus (not counting usage of the FPPs earned releasing the bonus) are as follows (for full ring only, again I don't have 6-max samples because no one will contribute them to the thread). This table lists the stakes, approximate hands needed to release, approximate rake accumulated during the time it takes to release, and the approximate equivalent rakeback for the reload bonuses:

20% reload bonus, $120 bonus on a deposit of $600 (1800 VPPs to clear)

Stakes  Hands  Rake     Rakeback
--------------------------------
25nl    14315  $248.73  0.4825
50nl     9381  $223.88  0.5360
100nl    4918  $209.57  0.5726
200nl    4178  $233.52  0.5139
400nl    2641  $238.45  0.5032


40% reload bonus, $240 bonus on a deposit of $600 (4800 VPPs to clear)

Stakes  Hands  Rake     Rakeback
--------------------------------
25nl    38172  $663.28  0.3618
50nl    25015  $597.02  0.4020
100nl   13115  $558.86  0.4294
200nl   11141  $622.73  0.3854
400nl    7043  $635.87  0.3774

Concierge Service

FTR member kingnat has written a pretty good Q&A for the concierge service available here: http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...39.html#760805


Edit Log:
July 12, 2008 - Added the new $4000 bonus and rakeback equivalent data for the bonus for the Supernova level.
July 13, 2008 - Added an example rakeback calculation using milestone bonuses.
July 23, 2008 - Added reload bonuses information.
August 9, 2008 - Added VPP/hands calculator.
August 12, 2008 - Added some 6-max data (thanks AndyAKB), removed flawed 400nl FR data, updated VPP calculator.
August 13, 2008 - Added corrected 400nl FR data (thanks mcatdog).
September 25, 2008 - Added link to kingnat's concierge Q&A.

[kingnat]

Insta-sticky.

[Stacks]

Insta-sticky.

[mcatdog]

My stats for 2-4 full ring

Stakes  Hands   VPPs    Rake        Silver RB	Gold RB   Platinum RB   Supernova RB
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
400nl   26699   18197   $2,410.60   0.1132      0.1721    0.2453        0.3963

[JinxT4]

Spoon, in your opinion, should most people just buy these bonuses as soon as they can, or would you advise waiting until being able to buy a certain 1? Also, I've read that some people say that you get more value out of OneCall gift cards or saving your FPPs for concierge (assuming you make Supernova).

One more quick question, when you buy a bonus, does it get released in increments for every xx VPP you earn, or is it all released at once after you clear the entire xx VPP required (pretty sure it's the 2nd option, but want to know for sure)?

[spoonitnow]

Spoon, in your opinion, should most people just buy these bonuses as soon as they can, or would you advise waiting until being able to buy a certain 1? Also, I've read that some people say that you get more value out of OneCall gift cards or saving your FPPs for concierge (assuming you make Supernova).

The bigger bonuses are better values, but it obviously depends on the individual's particular situation. Concierge is the best straight value of anything in the FPP store excluding tournament tickets.

One more quick question, when you buy a bonus, does it get released in increments for every xx VPP you earn, or is it all released at once after you clear the entire xx VPP required (pretty sure it's the 2nd option, but want to know for sure)?

The 2nd.

[kingnat]

IDK about spoon's original intentions, but I would like to see individuals w/ >25k hands at a particular limit/game post their stats (as mcat did), so we can improve the statistics. I'm hoping to get mine up later today.

[Hawk]

IDK about spoon's original intentions, but I would like to see individuals w/ >25k hands at a particular limit/game post their stats (as mcat did), so we can improve the statistics. I'm hoping to get mine up later today.

I can do that if someone can explain the easiest way to calculate everything.

[bode]

i have a pretty good sample at 25nl, 50nl and 100nl 6max i can post if someone will do the calcs for me.

[spoonitnow]

i have a pretty good sample at 25nl, 50nl and 100nl 6max i can post if someone will do the calcs for me.

Send me a PM or IM with the level, number of hands, amount of rake, and number of VPPs earned over each sample and I'll do the calculations and put it up.

[JinxT4]

IDK about spoon's original intentions, but I would like to see individuals w/ >25k hands at a particular limit/game post their stats (as mcat did), so we can improve the statistics. I'm hoping to get mine up later today.

I can do that if someone can explain the easiest way to calculate everything.

Spoon's old thread explains it pretty clearly for Full Ring, & I'm assuming that you just input $2.00 instead of $3.00 for 6max tables (unless anything at Stars has changed since Spoon's thread was posted): http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ps-t65238.html

So I go into Poker Tracker and filter for just 100nl full ring hands. This comes out to 21561 hands. Then, I go to the Game Notes tab, and hit the "Get All" button.

So for 100nl full ring, I want to know how many hands were raked for $0.40 and how many hands were raked for $3. Depending on your stakes and whether or not you play 6max, these numbers might be different. Use the quote above to know what you need to search for. But anyway, if I add these two numbers together, I'll know how many base points I've made in the sample of hands.

While still on the "Game Notes" tab, I'll type in 0.40 in the little box that says "Only show hands with at least [x.xx] rake" and hit the Filter button. Of my 21561 hands, 6868 had a rake of 0.40 or higher. Now I filter the same way for hands that had $3.00 of rake or higher. This comes to 786 hands. Now I add 6868 to 786 to get 7654 base points over my 21561 hand sample.

[jyms]

So I received this email from my RB provider about PokerStars. Someone tell me what difference there is compared to the regular VPP/FPP plan.

[spoonitnow]

First, yes for 6-max you use $2 instead of $3 for the second VPP in a hand.

So I received this email from my RB provider about PokerStars. Someone tell me what difference there is compared to the regular VPP/FPP plan.

If it's what I think it is, you probably don't need to be talking about it in such an open place.

[jyms]

Dude, it's not that secret. It's on their page.

https://www.raketherake.com/PokerStars.html

pm me if you want a referral.

[spoonitnow]

lol wtf

They just have a less accurate version of what I've posted in this thread.

There was a Party Poker-like Stars RB going for a while, which I thought you were referring to.

What you've linked to there is the same thing as I've mentioned above and needs no referral.

[ggplz]

ty for this post

what do you think about the 5400 fpp sngs? 4/10 people win a seat

if im correct 5400 FPP = $86 and compared to the 4k bonus u need to win a seat 43% of the time for it to be just as good (which would be break even on cash equiv for FPP)

if u play them at good times do you think you could cash >43% of the time?

Idk i have won quite a lot of the seats in the past but never logged results but generally if i can double up my stack to 3k i feel like i can usually win a seat (unless its not a soft time to play)

[spoonitnow]

ty for this post

what do you think about the 5400 fpp sngs? 4/10 people win a seat

if im correct 5400 FPP = $86 and compared to the 4k bonus u need to win a seat 43% of the time for it to be just as good (which would be break even on cash equiv for FPP)

if u play them at good times do you think you could cash >43% of the time?

Idk i have won quite a lot of the seats in the past but never logged results but generally if i can double up my stack to 3k i feel like i can usually win a seat (unless its not a soft time to play)

First off, I have a lifetime win-rate in them of over 60% and I'm sure there are a number of other FTR players that have similar results. However, a hidden cost in playing them is the time that it takes to play them that you could use to be playing something else.

If you're playing 5 of them in an hour (which seems reasonable) and you win 2, you've won T$ 530. But then you have to subtract what an hour's worth of EV would be if you were playing your normal game. For lower stakes players this isn't so much of an issue, but you might be better off playing the 210 FPP satellites for T$ 11 or whatever it is, since it has similar value and lower variance, though it would take longer to play through a large number of FPPs.

[ggplz]

The hidden cost is something i havent considered but if you can maintain 60% win in those then you have a 17% advantage (which is like 85$ per sng) so depending on your stakes (i play 1/2) i suppose the 4k bonus may be better for someone playing 5/10 or whatever b/c its just not worth their time to clear that extra bit.

Personally i dont mind it much. Just because opportunities come up where for e.g. u dont want to play cash games.

[ggplz]

Also the 210 fpp satellites are sort of a bad suggestion imo.
They would take alot longer to play (5400/210 = 25 games) and also have a slightly worse exchange, 700 FPP = $11 in them, 5400/700 = 7.714 * 11 = 84.85$ equiv for 5400 sng

Standard for the 5400 is (215*4)/10 = = 86
So theres a slight difference of 1.34% in value for FPPs

that + the time it would take makes it sort of bad compared (but i see what you're saying about variance for lower stakes players who care)

[spoonitnow]

Also the 210 fpp satellites are sort of a bad suggestion imo.
They would take alot longer to play (5400/210 = 25 games) and also have a slightly worse exchange, 700 FPP = $11 in them, 5400/700 = 7.714 * 11 = 84.85$ equiv for 5400 sng

Standard for the 5400 is (215*4)/10 = = 86
So theres a slight difference of 1.34% in value for FPPs

that + the time it would take makes it sort of bad compared (but i see what you're saying about variance for lower stakes players who care)

The biggest thing about the 210 FPP satellites is that it takes lower stakes players a long time to get the 5400 FPPs required to play one, let alone enough FPPs to play enough that variance will balance out a bit and they will approach their true win-rate in them.

I'm personally of the opinion that everyone should always save their FPPs for at least the $650 bonus, and if they can't play high enough to get the VIP status required for that bonus, then they should play on Full Tilt with rakeback and bonus until they make it that high.

[spoonitnow]

Just noting that I updated this sticky with a link to the VPP Calculator I made that people should find useful.

http://www.spoonitnow.com/vpp_calc.php

A quick example: To find out how many hands at each limit it would take to get Supernova VIP status, type 100000 into the VPPs box and hit the Gogogogo button.

For 100000 VPPs you can do:

25nl: 795300 hands
50nl: 521200 hands
100nl: 273200 hands
200nl: 232100 hands
400nl: 146700 hands

[Xianti]

{unstickied, as it's been added to the OPR Digest}

[bode]

i figured this out like a month ago, but FTR was down when i tried to post it, so here it is:

all nl50 on stars

hands: 70,426
1 VPP hands: 14,702
2 VPP hands: 2,271
Total VPP: 16,973
VPP/hand: .241

[slumpy]

Very informative thread, thank you. One question regarding the VPP Calculator - the number of hands are all hands played or only those hands that had a rake of $.40 or more?

Thanks!

[kingnat]

Very informative thread, thank you. One question regarding the VPP Calculator - the number of hands are all hands played or only those hands that had a rake of $.40 or more?

Thanks!

It's all hands played. If you put in 1 hand... it'll be clear to see what the vpp/hand for each stake is... for instance, you are only earning 0.366 vpp/hand... the number will vary based on your playing style and your table selection.. so keep that in mind.

[givememyleg]

Bump - Does anyone have any stakes vpp/per hand that they can add?

[nice_aiau]

Does anyone know the rakeback equivalents for 6max LHE.

[Knytestorme]

So I go into Poker Tracker and filter for just 100nl full ring hands. This comes out to 21561 hands. Then, I go to the Game Notes tab, and hit the "Get All" button.

So for 100nl full ring, I want to know how many hands were raked for $0.40 and how many hands were raked for $3. Depending on your stakes and whether or not you play 6max, these numbers might be different. Use the quote above to know what you need to search for. But anyway, if I add these two numbers together, I'll know how many base points I've made in the sample of hands.

While still on the "Game Notes" tab, I'll type in 0.40 in the little box that says "Only show hands with at least [x.xx] rake" and hit the Filter button. Of my 21561 hands, 6868 had a rake of 0.40 or higher. Now I filter the same way for hands that had $3.00 of rake or higher. This comes to 786 hands. Now I add 6868 to 786 to get 7654 base points over my 21561 hand sample.

I'm going to try to add some figures for 6-max LHE but I'm just wondering about this methodology.

Wouldn't this way be double counting the $3 raked hands if the first set we filter for are hands with at least $0.40 rake since obviously $3 rake is at least $0.40 rake? Or is it just an easier way to add a second VPP rather than doing something like:

1. Filter all hands between $0.40 and $2.99 rake = 1 VPP per hand
2. Filter all hands > $3 rake = 2 VPP per hand
3. Add 1 + 2

[L_Clan_Sup3rMaN]

200NL 6max
48,966 hands = 24,264 VPPs
Raked hands $.40+ = 17433
Raked hands $2.00+ = 6831
0.4957VPP/hand

100NL 6max
38,700 hands = 14720 VPPs
Raked hands $.40+ = 11750
Raked hands $2.00+ = 2970
.38VPP/hand

50NL 6max
27,525 hands = 6362VPPs
Raked hands $.40+ = 5459
Raked hands $2.00+ = 903
.231VPP/hand

Bahhh lost so many hands when I switched to new PC or else would have bigger sample size (I did wayyy more 100NL and 50NL hands than that).

[Knytestorme]

6-Max LHE

1/2
5903 hands = 2049 VPP
0.347VPP / Hand

[givememyleg]

Thanks for the numbers guys, we really appreciate it!

Does anyone else have any hands/vpps to contribute?

[Hawk]

according to HEM, all at 6max (2 are small samples obv):
10nl - 8806 hands for 377vpps (0.04 vpp/hand)
25nl - 71155 hands for 9325 vpps (0.13 vpp/hand)
50nl - 50253 hands for 12363 vpps (0.25 vpps/hand)
100nl - 8353 hands for 2905 vpps (0.35vpps/hand)

[ttanaka]

What about limit games? Do any of you limit players have these stat's? Thanks!

[Knytestorme]

What about limit games? Do any of you limit players have these stat's? Thanks!

Trying to put some in but the numbers arereally screwy trying to work out my VPP over my 0.5/1 hands and I likely won't be out of 1/2 for a few more months so will just be able to update those numbers for the moment

[MSG85]

I haven't played a lot at PS since my hard drive last crashed; I'm only there if they have a decent reload or I feel like playing SNGs. Here's what I have:

.50/1.00 LHE I earned VPPs at .19/hand.

8,130 hands = 1,545 VPPs according to PT and HEM filters.

Below .5/1 LHE VPPs are close to none/hand (.01386/hand @.25/.50 over a few thousand hands)

[BennyLaRue]

Don't play much at Stars, but here's what I have.

LHE Full Ring
0.25/0.50 - 1689 hands, 53 VPPs (0.03 VPP/hand)
0.5/1 - 4746 hands, 1033 VPPs (0.22 VPP/hand)
1/2 - 7683 hands, 3044 VPPs (0.40 VPP/hand)
2/4 - 6960 hands, 3076 VPPs (0.44 VPP/hand)
3/6 - 2295 hands, 1377 VPPs (0.60 VPP/hand)

LHE 6-max
0.5/1 - 1692 hands, 290 VPPs (0.17 VPP/hand)

[givememyleg]

Super bump.

Any other numbers???

[BooG690]

SICK thread. FAVORITE! Why no sticky?

[str32]

SICK thread. FAVORITE! Why no sticky?

indeeed!

[Jason]

So, what should I do with my FPP's?

[L_Clan_Sup3rMaN]

So, what should I do with my FPP's?

- What stakes do you play?
- How much FPP do you have?
- What 'star' are you? (Platinum? Supernova?)
- What kind of volume are you putting in?
- How quickly do you need the money?

An example would be someone playing 100NL making about 15k VPP a month and is platinum right now. If he has around 60K FPP, his better of saving that for until he goes Supernova (assuming his been getting 15k VPP monthly) and getting concierge/supernova bonus.

In the same example, let's say times are rough and his living off his roll and requires to withdraw a certain amount and can't afford to let his roll slide a bit for the month for w/e reason, then he should get the $650 bonus because of the time value of money.

As for what to get with your FPP for the best "value", refer to this link: http://www.fpppro.com/best-fpp-value.php

[tpb221]

PokerStars is changing their VPP program. This is a response from Stars:

Thanks for your email.

The tables offer a new way to award VPPs with the 5xVPP/newVPP tables.
Once we know the tables are working, they will be launched for all
Heads Up tables, 6max NLH/PL, 6max PLO and NL/PL Omaha H/L.

Example:
NLH Heads Up Table
25c-50c Blinds
50 Cent Rake
Currently we award each player 1 VPP

5xVPP/newVPP tables see the 50 cents as 2.5 VPPs (20 cents per VPP
like we have for SNGs) awarding each player

Our data shows we will be awarding 16% more VPPs for these tables with
the new system.

Please do not hesitate to write to us again if we can be of any further
assistance. Thank you very much for choosing PokerStars, we wish you a
pleasant playing experience.

Regards,

Rinders P
PokerStars Support Team


It looks like the small grinders get more here.

[Jason]

- What stakes do you play?
- How much FPP do you have?
- What 'star' are you? (Platinum? Supernova?)
- What kind of volume are you putting in?
- How quickly do you need the money?

An example would be someone playing 100NL making about 15k VPP a month and is platinum right now. If he has around 60K FPP, his better of saving that for until he goes Supernova (assuming his been getting 15k VPP monthly) and getting concierge/supernova bonus.

In the same example, let's say times are rough and his living off his roll and requires to withdraw a certain amount and can't afford to let his roll slide a bit for the month for w/e reason, then he should get the $650 bonus because of the time value of money.

As for what to get with your FPP for the best "value", refer to this link: http://www.fpppro.com/best-fpp-value.php

That link is pretty helpful. I am playing $50NL with almost 12k FPP and I am @ Silver Star, but was @ Gold Star last month and on track to hit Gold Star again this month. I play about 1500 to 2k hands per week and do not need the money any time soon.

The trick seems to be to find the best bang for your buck in terms of x FPP per $1 and, so far, the sporadic monthly rewards seem to be the way to go. For example, the regular $285 cash bonus, which you would have to clear, costs 25k FPP, which breaks down to 87.72 FPP per $1. However, this month in September of 2009, you can get $200 of straight up cash for 12500 FPP, which breaks down to 62.5 FPP per $1, which is a much better value since using 40% more FPP's would put you back in the range of the regular bonus.

I am hoping this month to hit Gold Star, build up 15,500 FPP's, and buy the $248 worth of September 2009 special offers - 12500 FPP for $200, 2500 FPP for $40, and 500 FPP for $8. All three of those offers break down to 62.5 FPP/$.

Is that pretty much what everyone else does? Just wait for the good monthly offers? I broke down the items on that web page link, less the tournament and ticket items, by FPP/$, which seems much more useful than $/FPP and sorted it from best to worst or lowest FPP/$ to highest and there are only 5 items that come out ahead of this month's specials @ 62.5 FPP/$:

Porshe Cayman S @ 49.83 FPP/$ (Supernova)
Pioneer 60-Inch Plasma HDTV 60.00 FPP/$ (Supernova)
Samsung 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV 61.28 FPP/$ (Gold Star)
Concierge 62.00 FPP/$ (Supernova)
$2500 ePlatinum Travel 62.40 FPP/$ (Silver Star)

And 3 of those 5 are only available to Supernova's.

[Jason]

So, I just hit Platinum Star for the first time and I read over the email they send congratulating me and it got me thinking. I'm a cash player, but there are VIP tournament offers and free-rolls. Is there any way I can take advantage or cash in on those without playing? If not, is it worth it for me to enter the free-roll or spend the 100 FPP's and the like?

Other than waiting for 62.5 FPP per $1 cash bonus specials each month, are there any other tips for taking full advantage of your VIP status @ Platinum or other level?

[Dragon Slayer]

Man great poast! I was just sitting down with a calculator and pen and paper trying to figure all the BS out. Cool stuff on the concierge service too. I never knew how that worked. Thought they sent hookers to your house or something.

[Jason]

So, PokerStars didn't offer a December 62.5 FPP per $1 cash bonus this month

Typically, how many of those per year do they give and when might the next one be?

Any advice from my last post above on 11/30/2009?

[Weafeideove]

Hi I am new here. I’m sorry if this
is not the right place for this. My name is Ren
I am from Peru

[Weafeideove]

Hello I am new here. I’m sorry if this
is the wrong place for this post. My name is Rob
I am from Sweden

[Keith]

^ and ^^ spammer, incompetent , multiaccounter or just a dickhead.

[nacolwhite]

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