As a follow-up to my post yesterday PokerStars Update (2009-12): VIP Program, World Record, and Team Online News, I was able to contact my friend at PokerStars and get more detailed information on the new changes to PokerStars (which is open to USA players) in the upcoming new year of 2010.
From January 1, 2010, changes will be introduced to the PokerStars VIP Program. These are as follows:
Changes in VPP Earning: New, simplified method for awarding VPPs to players. This means many players will earn VPPs and FPPs faster, especially in tournaments and Sit & Gos.
$1,000,000 Quarterly VIP Freerolls: These will replace the old $75,000 weekly freerolls. Supernovas can enter for free. GoldStars and PlatinumStars can win seats via FPP satellites.
SilverStar status at 750 VPPs: This level will be reduced from 1,200 VPPs to 750 VPPs for 2010.
Easier to retain Supernova status: The monthly requirement will go down from 10,000 VPPs to 7,500 VPPs.
Supernova Milestone bonuses restructure: This will be changed to reward players for reaching the earlier milestones. Players who reach Supernova in 2010 will get a $200 increase in the 100,000 VPP milestone.
PokerStars Pro Sit&Gos: Will be available to SilverStar VIPs and above to play against Team Pros. Seats will be reserved for players from the same country as the participating Pro.
Along with the changes to our VIP Program, from January 1, 2010 PokerStars will be introducing Stellar Rewards. The rewards are a series of 19 cash incentives that are gained by earning VPPs over the calendar year.
There are three different cash amounts:
$10 – available at (750, 1.5k, 2.25k, 3k, 4k & 5k Yearly VPPs)
$50 – available at (10k, 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k, 35k, 40k & 45k Yearly VPPs)
$100 – available at (50k, 60k, 70k, 80k & 90k Yearly VPPs)
A player that reaches 90k Yearly VPPs in 2010 will earn the maximum of $1,000. This equates to an approximate additional 6% rakeback, on top of our existing benefits. Players will be able to track how close they are to each cash credit through the client as the milestones will be integrated into the PokerStars software. Once a milestone is reached, the cash credits may be purchased from the VIP Store for 1 FPP each.
After sifting through 2000 applications, we have finally selected the inaugural members of Team PokerStars Online. This new branch of Team PokerStars Pro consists of top online players from around the world. This means players will find a Team PokerStars Pro presence whatever game they play, and wherever they’re from. They can all be found using the ‘Team Pro’ button on the main PokerStars lobby.
We thank you for all of your hard work throughout 2009 and look forward to an ever better 2010. Wishing all the very best for the holiday season.
VIP Program Changes
From January 1, 2010, changes will be introduced to the PokerStars VIP Program. These are as follows:
Stellar Rewards
Along with the changes to our VIP Program, from January 1, 2010 PokerStars will be introducing Stellar Rewards. The rewards are a series of 19 cash incentives that are gained by earning VPPs over the calendar year.
There are three different cash amounts:
A player that reaches 90k Yearly VPPs in 2010 will earn the maximum of $1,000. This equates to an approximate additional 6% rakeback, on top of our existing benefits. Players will be able to track how close they are to each cash credit through the client as the milestones will be integrated into the PokerStars software. Once a milestone is reached, the cash credits may be purchased from the VIP Store for 1 FPP each.
PokerStars Team Online
After sifting through 2000 applications, we have finally selected the inaugural members of Team PokerStars Online. This new branch of Team PokerStars Pro consists of top online players from around the world. This means players will find a Team PokerStars Pro presence whatever game they play, and wherever they’re from. They can all be found using the ‘Team Pro’ button on the main PokerStars lobby.
We thank you for all of your hard work throughout 2009 and look forward to an ever better 2010. Wishing all the very best for the holiday season.