For my entry today, I will go over a further reason to make a PokerStars download. VIP programs are perhaps nothing new to you, but you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised when it comes to the one at PokerStars. To reward those that play frequently, PokerStars hands out VIP Player Points (VPPs) and Frequent Player Points (FPPs) to those who play real money games at their tables. Playing higher stakes and more often will earn you more points, and earning more points will give you the chance at more cash bonuses and merchandise.
When you first make a PokerStars download, your account starts at 0 VPPs and FPPs. The only purpose of VPPs is to keep track of your VIP level and to keep track of clearing bonuses. FPPs are the redeemable VIP currency, and you use them on VIP tournaments or in the VIP store. In total there are four possible monthly VIP statuses and two special yearly VIP statuses.
Trying a new PokerStars download automatically starts your account at BronzeStar. BronzeStar is the first status level, but its members can still earn plenty of extras. They’ll still earn FPPs for sitting in real money games, and they’ll have access to standard prizes in the VIP store. These players also receive Stellar Rewards, cash bonuses that PokerStars gives to players once they hit specific VPP counts. In total, there is $1,000 in Stellar Rewards to be earned over the course of a year.
Once you reach SilverStar at 750 VPPs, you retain the BronzeStar perks and you receive additional SilverStar benefits. To start off, you receive an FPP multiplier of 1.5 so that you can earn FPPs 50% faster. In the VIP store, you now have access to specific SilverStar merchandise. Finally, you can participate in VIP tournaments held weekly and monthly. For 100 FPPs you can buy-in to the weekly $30k tournament, and you now have the option to win your way into the monthly $100k tournament.
The perks of becoming GoldStar are excellent once you earn 3,000 VPPs in a month. Now your FPPs get doubled, and you have access to GoldStar merchandise in the store. This VIP status also gives you the chance at some great VIP MTT poker. The $100k tournament that you had to satellite into at SilverStar is now available to you as a freeroll, and now you have access to the quarterly $1 million VIP tournaments. These tournaments are hosted four times per year and most players (including GoldStar members) must win a seat in order to play them.
You’ll have to play a lot of poker hands, but at 7,500 VPPs you become PlatinumStar and you receive an FPP multiplier of 2.5. PlatinumStar merchandise is now available in the VIP store, and now you have an extra tournament to win a seat into the quarterly $1 million tournaments. These satellites are exclusive to PlatinumStar members and give more seats than the GoldStar satellites.
That’s all there is to know about the monthly VIP statuses, but it’s also important to learn about the yearly VIP statuses. In fact, hitting one of the yearly VIP statuses is equivalent to earning substantial PokerStars rakeback, something many players don’t know. I’ve already rambled on too much for today, though, so that will be our topic for next time. See you in two weeks!
