Sites on the Winning Poker Network are changing the way in which VIP Reward Points are allocated from the dealt method to the weighted contributed method.
Most online poker sites have a loyalty program or rakeback scheme to reward players for the volume of action they put in at the site. Typically loyalty programs work by allocating reward points in relation to the amount of rake deducted from a cash game pot or for players paying a fee to enter a Sit & Go or multi-table tournament.
For some players, the way in which reward points are allocated can influence their choice of online poker site. Depending on their style of play, it can be more beneficial to them to select an online poker site that allocates points evenly between the players dealt into a cash game hand (the dealt method) rather than on their personal contribution to the pot (the weighted contributed method).
The majority of poker websites offering a loyalty program use the weighted contributed method of points allocation. This is generally considered to be the fairest ways to reward players for their volume at the tables. However, sites on the Winning Poker Network have maintained the dealt method of points allocation for their loyalty programs – up until today.
What´s Changing on the Winning Poker Network?
The Winning Poker Network hosts a wide range of promotions. Whereas the network´s loyalty programs have been based upon the dealt method of points allocation in cash games, other rake-based promotions – such as the first deposit/reload bonuses and the Beast leaderboard competition – are based upon each individual player´s personal contribution to the rake deducted from each pot.
From today, sites on the Winning Poker Network will abandon the dealt method of points distribution, and instead have all of its rake-based promotions using the same method – the weighted contributed method. Not only will this synchronize all of the network´s promotions, it should also redistribute more money to those who play a larger percentage of hands – typically recreational players.
Reward points will still be allocated at the rate of 5.5 points per dollar raked, however with a different distribution as the following examples demonstrate:
- Under the dealt rake method of points allocation, every player dealt into a hand shares in the number of points awarded for the hand. So, in a six-handed cash game, if three players folded and the other three players went to showdown for a pot worth $60.00, $3.00 would be deducted in rake and 16.5 reward points distributed between the six players – 2.75 reward points each.
- Using the same scenario of three players playing for a pot of $60.00, only the players who contributed to the pot would receive reward points. Assuming the three players were the Button, the Small Blind and the Big Blind, each of the three players who put money into the pot would receive 5.5 reward points under the weighted contributed method of points allocation. The three players who folded their cards would receive no reward points.
Who Wins and Who Loses Due to the Change?
For the sake of clarity, the changes only apply to the way in which Rank Points are allocated at [geolink href=”https://www.usafriendlypokersites.com/americas-cardroom/”]Americas Cardroom[/geolink] and Benefit Points are allocated at [geolink href=”https://www.usafriendlypokersites.com/black-chip-poker/”]Black Chip Poker[/geolink], [geolink href=”https://www.usafriendlypokersites.com/true-poker/”]True Poker[/geolink] and [geolink href=”https://www.usafriendlypokersites.com/ya-poker/”]Ya Poker[/geolink]. The rate at which Combat Points (Americas Cardroom) and Player Points (Black Chip Poker, True Poker and Ya Poker) are earned will still depend on a player´s status within each rewards program.
Most players will benefit from the change to the weighted contributed method of points allocation. They will earn reward points faster and reach higher reward statuses quicker as a result. The only players who will be disadvantaged by the change are “nitty” tight, aggressive players who play a minimum number of hands across multiple tables, yet who still benefit from the volume of action generated by looser players.
Overall, the change to the way reward points are allocated should have a positive impact on the speed and volume of the action at sites on the Winning Poker Network – making the sites more appealing destinations to most players.
