Updated on 21 Feb 26 by
Barry carter
Poker Expert

Rake matters

How does rake/rakeback change your strategy at the tables, your game selection and much more? Join us tonight to find out.





video poker LemOn36

Stream Type:

Theory

Coach:

LemOn36 

Status:

Free

Date

November 29 , 20:00 CET

Join the Stream

LemOn36 returns with the latest in his series of one-off Monthly Specials where he tackles a different topic each time. 

Tonight our coach is looking at all things rake and he takes a deep dive into the new rewards scheme at PokerStars. He will look at the new Chest and Monthly Poker Challenge system as well as the importance of understanding rake in general.

You will discover:

  • What you can expect from the new PokerStars Rewards
  • How rake and rakeback impacts your strategy at the tables, with solver analysis to back it up
  • How do the new rewards compare to previous PokerStars rewards?
  • How much should rake factor into your game and site selection?

Plus as always it will be a fun time in the chat, so don't miss out on this stream whatever level you are at. 

Rewards of up to 65% Rakeback

stars

Last month a new rewards system at PokerStars worth 65% rakeback was made available to all players.

Pokerstars Rewards scored a 78% jump in customer satisfaction for the 20% of players who tried it. The new system aims to be more generous and transparent. 

You can get up to 65% rewards in the form of a baseline rakeback up to 25% and up to 40% more in the form of Monthly Challenges. All formats earn the same points including high stakes cash games, sports and casino. 

The rewards are all fixed value rather than random, as per the previous Chests programme. It will still be in the form of Chests which are Blue, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Black respectively.

Get up to 65% Rakeback with PokerStars Rewards
Get up to 65% Rakeback with PokerStars Rewards
Get up to 65% Rakeback with PokerStars Rewards
Get up to 65% Rakeback with PokerStars Rewards
Get up to 65% Rakeback with PokerStars Rewards

These are the benefits you can expect:

Level Chest Value Value Monthly Challenge Cashback Reward Points/Rake Required Number of Chests to move up
Blue $0.50 15% Unavailable 333/$3.33 5
Bronze $1.50 16% Unavailable 935/$9.35 5
Silver $5 17.5% Up to 40% 2,850/$28.50 7
Gold $20 18.5% Up To 40% 10,800/$108 7
Diamond $75 20% Up to 40% 37,500/$375 10
Black $250 25% Up to 40% 100,000/$1,000 N/A

The PokerStars VIP scheme was once the envy of the poker world but the biggest PR hit the company ever took was when they controversially pulled the SuperNova Elite tier for high volume players. 

The new PokerStars Rewards program is available for players on .BG, .COM, .CZ, .EE, .ES, .EU, .FR, , .PT, .RO, .SH, .UK. Monthly Challenges are not available in the Czech Republic or Greece due to local regulation.


Poker Expert

Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2, Poker Satellite Strategy, PKO Poker Strategy, Endgame Poker Strategy, GTO Poker Simplified, Mystery Bounty Poker Strategy and Beyond GTO. In 2025, he won the Global Poker Awards for Best Book and Twitter Personality of the Year.