New Full Tilt Poker Rewards Scheme

Shyam Markus, Full Tilt Poker's Poker Room Manager, has revealed some details on the new rewards program for Full Tilt Poker that will aim to give more value to the players.

Full Tilt Poker have given the poker world a sneak preview of the new rewards system at Full Tilt Poker, as Poker Room Manager Shyam Markus explained:

"At the beginning of this year, well before PokerStars entered the picture, we had begun work on a new rewards program that would combine aspects of Iron Man, Black Card, and affiliate-paid rakeback.

"By the time the PokerStars deal came along, most of the major work on this new program was done, and it was just a matter of deciding whether or not to go with it.

"When we re-launch on November 6th it will be without Iron Man, Black Card, or affiliate-paid rakeback.

"We aren't quite ready to give all of the details of the new rewards program, but the general idea is that it will be available to everyone, and the main benefit of the program is weekly cash payments that are based on the number of Full Tilt Points earned that week. The program tops out at paying $2.50 for every 100 Full Tilt Points earned (which works out to 25%)."

Full Tilt Poker 2.0 rewards: the details

Markus continued, clarifying some of the finer points of the new scheme:

•	There will be no deductions of fees, unlike affiliate rakeback. Markus says this will mean "the 25%... will almost always beat the 27% rakeback".
•	Full Tilt Poker will switch to the weighted contributed rake method for Full Tilt Points.
•	Weekly payments do not cost FTPs, meaning "points add an additional 4-5%" depending on spending.
•	This makes all FTPs increase in value and increases the value of promotions such as Happy Hours.

Markus has posted more details and a brief F.A.Q, which we have replicated in our forums:

Forum: Full Tilt Poker 2.0 Rewards

I was Black Card/Iron Man, what happens to me?

Markus confirmed that there will be a transition period to this new system, "so that long-term players of both promotions will likely get a leg-up in the new program from the start."

Markus added that "the top level of this program is significantly easier to achieve" than Black Card. In addition, the Black Card store will now be open for use by anyone in the new top level. He did tease that "the Black Card program will - eventually - return, but in a brand new way."

Players who qualified for the Iron Man Mid-Year Bonus in 2011 will receive it when the site relaunches.