For any serious online poker player, rakeback is a key factor in long-term profitability. Rakeback, a system that returns a portion of the fees you pay to the house, can significantly boost your winnings over time. In 2025, online poker sites offer a variety of loyalty programs, each with a different structure and potential value. Choosing the right one depends on your playing volume and your preference for either predictability or high-variance best poker sites uk rewards.
PartyPoker: The Transparent Cashback System
PartyPoker offers a straightforward and highly transparent cashback system that is a favorite among high-volume players. The program is built on a simple premise: the more you play, the more you get back.
- How It Works: Players earn one point for every dollar of rake paid. Every Monday, your points are converted into a cash bonus. The rate of this cashback is determined by how many points you’ve earned in the previous week, starting from a base of around 20% and climbing up to 40%.
- The Value: The program’s predictability is its main strength. You know exactly what you’ll be earning for your play, which makes it easy to track your profitability. For the most dedicated players, the exclusive Diamond Club offers a cashback rate of 60%.
GGPoker: The High-Variance “Fish Buffet”
GGPoker has one of the most talked-about loyalty programs in the industry, the Fish Buffet. This system is a progressive, tiered program that rewards players with a spin on a prize wheel when they reach a new level.
- How It Works: As you play, you earn Fish Buffet Points (FP). When you accumulate enough FPs, you can spin a wheel to win a random cash prize. The system offers a potential rakeback of up to 60%, one of the highest in the industry.
- The Value: The program’s key feature is the element of chance. You might hit a large prize, or you might get a smaller one. For grinders who prefer a consistent return, GGPoker offers a Platinum rank that provides a fixed cashback rate, eliminating the randomness of the wheel. However, the amount you earn is based on your Player Value Index (PVI), a hidden metric that can affect how much rakeback you get.
PokerStars: The Tiered Rewards
PokerStars’ Star Rewards program is a tiered, chest-based system. Players earn reward points for every dollar paid in rake, which fills a progress bar. Once filled, you receive a chest with cash rewards.
- How It Works: The rewards range from 15% to 40% cashback, depending on your tier. The more you play, the faster you progress through the tiers, unlocking larger and more valuable chests.
- The Value: For the most dedicated players, PokerStars offers exclusive, invite-only tiers called Select and Select+. These tiers provide a fixed rakeback rate of 50% to 60%, which is a significant incentive for high-volume grinders. The rewards are paid in cash directly into your account, making the system simple and easy to understand.
