PokerStars replaced their old VIP program with Stars Rewards chests. Here's how the new system works and what rakeback you can actually expect.
PokerStars' Stars Rewards system replaced the legendary Supernova/Supernova Elite VIP program years ago, and it's evolved significantly. Here's how it works in 2026.
## How Stars Rewards Chests Work
As you play, you earn reward points that fill a progress bar. When the bar is full, you receive a chest. The chest contains a randomized prize — cash, tournament tickets, or merchandise — with a guaranteed minimum value.
Chest levels progress through: Blue → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Diamond → Black
Higher level chests have higher minimum and maximum values. Your chest level depends on your recent playing volume.
## Expected Rakeback Percentages
Here's the tricky part: Stars Rewards intentionally obscures your exact rakeback percentage through the chest randomization. However, the community has tracked averages:
| Chest Level | Avg Rakeback | Range |
|-------------|-------------|-------|
| Blue | 15% | 10-20% |
| Bronze | 18% | 12-25% |
| Silver | 22% | 15-30% |
| Gold | 30% | 20-40% |
| Diamond | 40% | 30-50% |
| Black | 50%+ | 40-60% |
## Select and Select+ Tiers
For high-volume players, PokerStars offers the Select program:
**Select**: Earn 5,000+ reward points per month. Receive a fixed ~25% boost on top of regular chest rewards. Effective rakeback: ~35-40%.
**Select+**: The highest tier, requiring extremely high volume. Provides the best rakeback rate available on PokerStars, approximately 50-60% effective.
## Is PokerStars Rakeback Competitive?
For recreational players, PokerStars' rakeback is among the lowest in the industry. A casual player earning Blue or Bronze chests gets only 15-18% — compared to 33% at CoinPoker or 27% at ACR.
However, PokerStars has advantages:
- Largest player pool in regulated markets
- Best tournament schedule (SCOOP, WCOOP)
- Most game variety
- Strong software and mobile app
- Regulated and licensed in many jurisdictions
## Our Verdict
If rakeback is your primary concern, PokerStars is not the best choice unless you're a very high-volume player who can achieve Select+ status. For most players, CoinPoker, GGPoker, or ACR offer significantly better rakeback deals.
That said, PokerStars' game selection and liquidity are unmatched. Some players find that the softer games and larger tournament fields at PokerStars compensate for the lower rakeback.
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