PokerStars Makes Rake Changes for 2012

Now that 2012 is upon us, online poker players have begun pursuing their share of cash and prizes in multi-table tournaments and cash games. PokerStars, the world's largest online poker room, has announced changes to its rake calculations effective January 1st.

VIP Player Points (VPPs) in ring games will now be accrued on a "weighted contributed" basis instead of the former "dealt" method. The weighted contributed method will award VPPs to each player at the table based on the amount that individual contributed to the pot. This will affect ring game players differently because some will accrue points relatively quickly, while others will accumulate VPPs more slowly based on their playing style.

This new calculation method will reward individuals who have a lower VIP status with more points and players with high VIP status with fewer points, making the distribution of VIP club benefits more balanced. Despite these changes, Supernova players will continue receiving better VIP club store deals when they cash in their Frequent Player Points (FPPs).

Rake calculations will be made in 2012 on a "half to even rounding" method. This means that for a $1.25 pot, the total rake will be $0.06. For a $3.25 pot, $0.12 will be taken in rake, and for a $9.25 pot, $0.42 will be collected.

A $15 pot will have $0.68 subtracted from it in rake, while a $19.75 pot will be raked $0.89, and a $33 pot will be raked $1.48. Furthermore, a $47 pot will be deducted by $2.12, while a $51.50 pot will be raked $2.32. Finally, a pot that is $700 or more will be raked $3.

VPP multipliers for players who compete using Euros will now be based on exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and Euro in the following manner:

Tournaments and ring games with seven seats and fewer: 7x
Ring games with eight or more seats: 8x
PL/NL €0.01/€0.02: 12x
PL/NL €0.02/€0.05: 10x
PL/NL €0.05/€0.10: 8.5x

Fixed Limit games will be raked according to the following method.

$0.02/$0.04 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$0.04/$0.08 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$0.05/$0.10 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$0.10/$0.20 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$0.25/$0.50 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$0.50/$1 with any number of players will be raked 4.5%
$1/$2 Fixed Limit games that are heads-up will be raked 2% with a $0.50 cap

$1/$2 Fixed Limit games that are three- or four-handed will be raked 4% with a cap of $0.80. Five-handed or more games at those stakes will be raked 4% with a $1 cap.

Fixed Limit games of $2/$4 and above will be raked between 2% and 3% of the overall pot.

Midyear changes in the VIP program will be avoided whenever necessary in order to ensure that players can plan their annual play based on the current VIP conditions. This will be enforced to benefit SuperNova+ players who seek out VIP Stellar Rewards based on current rules.

Six-player and nine-player Hyper-Turbo Sit and Gos are being considered for deployment in January, but online poker players will need to check PokerStars’ official website or major online poker forums such as PocketFives and TwoPlusTwo to keep up with the latest changes.

Sign up for PokerStars today.