Loyalty programs have long been a staple of online poker, designed to reward players for their volume of play. However, in recent years, many online poker sites uk have moved beyond simple rakeback systems to create innovative loyalty programs that are more engaging, transparent, and tailored to different types of players.
These new systems are often gamified, with challenges, levels, and progress bars that make the experience feel more rewarding and fun. Here is a look at some of the best UK poker sites with innovative loyalty systems.
GGPoker: The Gamified “Fish Buffet”
GGPoker’s loyalty program, the “Fish Buffet,” is one of the most innovative and widely discussed in the industry. It’s a multi-tiered, sea-themed system that rewards players with “Fish Points” (FP) for every hand or tournament they play.
- How it Works: As you earn FPs, you progress through various levels, from “Plankton” to “Whale,” each with its own points target and time limit. When you reach a new level, you get to spin a wheel to win a random cash prize.
- The Innovation: The system adds an element of chance and excitement. While there is a target average rakeback for each level, the random nature of the wheel spin means you could get a large prize on one spin and a smaller one on another. GGPoker also offers “Platinum” ranks, which provide a fixed weekly rakeback for those who prefer more predictability.
PokerStars: The Personalized Chest System
PokerStars, the industry leader, revamped its loyalty program to a new “Chests” system that provides personalized rewards. Players earn “Reward Points” for playing real money games and fill up a progress bar.
- How it Works: Once a player completes a progress bar, they unlock a “Chest” containing a random prize, which can be cash, tournament tickets, or “StarsCoins” to be used in the rewards store. The value of the chests increases as you move up in levels.
- The Innovation: The system is volume-based and transparent, allowing players to see their progress in real-time. The rewards are personalized based on a player’s previous game play, ensuring they receive prizes that are relevant to them. For the highest-volume players, PokerStars offers exclusive tiers with high, fixed rakeback percentages.
PartyPoker: The Straightforward Cashback
PartyPoker has taken a different, yet highly innovative, approach by focusing on a simple and transparent cashback program. Players are rewarded directly with cash based on the amount of rake they generate.
- How it Works: Players opt-in to the weekly cashback program. The more rake they generate, the higher the percentage of that rake they get back, up to a maximum. The money is paid directly into their account every Monday.
- The Innovation: PartyPoker’s system is a clear and direct response to players who want guaranteed value without the added gamification. The “Diamond Club” and “Diamond Club Elite” programs are a specific innovation that rewards high-volume grinders with a very high percentage of cashback and other bonuses, including tournament packages and milestone payments.
888poker: The Challenge-Based “888poker Club”
The “888poker Club” is a unique loyalty system that focuses on challenges rather than just the amount of rake paid. It’s designed to be fun and engaging for players of all skill levels.
- How it Works: Players earn “Club Points” by completing various challenges, such as playing a certain number of hands, entering a tournament, or even betting on sports within the 888 platform. As you earn points, you climb levels and receive “Gold Tokens” that can be redeemed for prizes.
- The Innovation: The “888poker Club” is an innovative way to reward a player’s overall activity, not just their poker volume. The system is also designed so that players can never go down a level, providing a sense of continuous progression.
These innovative loyalty systems demonstrate how UK poker sites are moving away from the traditional model to provide more value, transparency, and fun for their players.
