With Full Tilt Poker having recently reopened its doors and loads of holiday promotions soon to start, we thought we'd take a look at some of the unadvertised advantages and disadvantages of playing at the web's top poker rooms.
PokerOlymp.com recently published an article comparing the rakebacks, bonuses and VIP plans for the biggest online poker sites – PokerStars, Full Tilt, PartyPoker and Titan Poker. The analysis focused solely on cash games. Below is a summary of its findings.
RAKE
When it comes to rake, PokerStars offers players the best deal across the board. The below table shows the rake (percentage and cap) charged by each of the four sites.
| PokerStars | Full Tilt | Titan Poker | Party Poker | |
| NL2 | 3,5%
$0,30 |
6,7%
$2,00 |
6,7%
$1,00 |
5,0%
$1,00 |
| NL5 | 4,2%
$1,00 |
6,7%
$2,00 |
6,7%
$1,00 |
5,0%
$1,00 |
| NL10 | 4,5%
$1,50 |
6,7%
$2,00 |
6,7%
$2,00 |
5,0%
$1,00 |
| NL25 | 4,5%
$2,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
| NL50 | 4,5%
$2,50 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
| NL100 | 4,5%
$2,80 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
| NL200 | 4,5%
$2,80 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
| NL400 | 4,5%
$2,80 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
| NL1k | 4,5%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
5,0%
$3,00 |
*All rooms use the full contributed model to calculate rakeback.
VIP PROGRAMS
Each of the sites hosts a VIP program, all of which operate in nearly the same manner. In short, players receive points based on the total rake they pay. The greater the points accrued, the higher the VIP level. The higher the VIP level, the greater the value of points earned per rake and/or the bigger the redeemable bonuses.
The researchers at PokerOlymp calculated how much rakeback a player can expect to receive from each room. Their analysis assumed said player bet over 12 months, bet the same amount each month and began his betting from the lowest VIP level on each site.
Not surprisingly, they found that differences in each site's VIP program polices influence the benefits derived by players. For example, some VIP programs favor heavy volume players, while others are preferable for casual players. Here are a few standout points:
Advancing Through VIP Levels
Three of the four sites require some type of ‘unlocking' in order to advance from one VIP level to the next.
- At PokerStars, players must qualify for a new level each month until they reach supernova status.
- Full Tilt players must bet a certain amount for 30 or 100 days to maintain their VIP level.
- Titan Poker players must also meet the next levels' monthly minimum in order to advance. However, if they reach the annual diamond level (paying approximately $6.7k rake in 3 months), they keep their status until the end of the year.
- Party Poker is the only site wherein the VIP level has no relation to point accumulation.
Point Expiration
Titan Poker is the only site whose points expire. This happens after 12 months, at which point Titan players must redeem or lose their points.
Bonuses & Benefits
Titan makes up for its points expiration by offering a monthly cash bonus that lets players redeem up to 2,000 points for a $20 account credit. PokerStars offers gift certificates in Euro and British Pounds in exchange for points. All sites offer tournament tickets for points.
RAKE & HANDS REQUIRED TO ‘UNLOCK' VIP LEVELS
So, how much rake and how many hands played does it take to advance VIP levels? Here's a breakdown.
| PokerStars
Silver – $130 rake / month Gold – $550 rake / month Platinum – $1,350 rake / month Supernova – $18,200 rake / year Supernova Elite – $182,000 |
Party Poker
Silver – $200 rake / month Gold – $500 rake / month Palladium – $4,500 rake / quarter Palladium Elite – $20,000 |
| Full Tilt
*assuming consistent play over 100 days Silver – $70 rake / month Gold – $140 rake / month Platinum – $270 rake / month Diamond – $680 rake / month |
Titan Poker
Copper – $133 rake / month Silver – $200 rake / month Gold – $333 rake / month Titanium – $1,000 rake / month Annual Diamond – $6,666 rake / 3 months |
The number of hands it takes to meet the rake requirements for each of the above VIP levels varies depending on table limits and playing style. What is certain, however, is that meeting the requirements for even a nominal VIP level requires players on all sites to play and bet in very large volumes.
For example, to reach PokerStars' highest level, supernova elite, one must play 2,7 million hands per year (or 230.000 hands per month). In 2010 and 2011 combined, fewer than 400 players managed to do that.
WHICH SITE'S RAKE AND VIP PROGRAM ARE BEST?
For players paying between $11k and $36k rake per year ($900-3000 / month), Titan Poker offers the best value. Above this level, PokerStars offers the best value, with Titan Poker a close second.
There is little difference between PokerStars and Full Tilt when it comes to players in the $3,300 and $18,000 rake per year category. Those playing at lower volumes typically receive more rakeback at PokerStars.
While Titan Poker appears to offer lower value than other sites to players paying up to $5-6k per year, its ‘Monthly Cash' program, which rewards 15% flat rakeback to any player paying $100-$2000 in annual rake, is more than any other room, including PokerStars.
Party Poker trails woefully behind across almost all comparative channels. Worthwhile rewards don't kick into until players reach palladium elite level and must be cleared before being redeemed.
