The launch of the new PokerStars on FanDuel platform has been one of the biggest developments we’ve seen in US online poker in a while. Two gaming giants came together to bring out a fresh platform and offer some exciting changes, setting up tournaments with massive guarantees and introducing a new rewards program that’s better tailored to the expanding user base.
Dubbed Dynasty Builder, the poker-centric rewards system on new FanDuel Poker brings a mix of easy-to-complete, one-off challenges and missions designed to cater to dedicated grinders who are always on the lookout for some extra value for their time and efforts.
The new setup works well for what the brand aims to achieve, which is keeping the existing PokerStars customer base happy, while also attracting some fresh blood from FanDuel’s casino and sports betting platforms.
The latter segment is primarily made up of people who may have some love for poker, but they view it primarily as another game to play while waiting for their bets to settle or when wanting a change of pace from games like blackjack and roulette. Giving these players a chance to win some extras via challenges they can actually complete is an excellent selling point.
- Special Launch Welcome Offer: $1000 deposit bonus for all!
- $500,000 GTD Main Event on May 3
- New software on a 3-state online poker network
For the Thrill & For the Grind
The Dynasty Builder rewards program on FanDuel Poker is divided into two large groups of missions. There are Thrill Missions and Grind Missions, and even the names give you a clear idea of the difference between the two.
Thrill Missions are designed primarily with casual players in mind. These are recurring and simple-to-complete challenges that bring rewards such as tournament tickets, fun throwables, exclusive avatars, and more.
While many of the rewards on offer are what we could call gimmicks, there is a fair bit of value up for grabs as well. For example, one of the first Thrill Missions gives all players who lost with pocket aces a ticket to a big satellite awarding 75 entries into the PokerStars Ignite Series Main Event. That’s over $22k in value that players can access by playing a few hands.
Grind Missions are designed to reward those players who put in regular volume at the tables. It is a weekly system that gives back up to $1,000 in rakeback, with 16 individual milestones players can complete along the way. A great thing about it is that missions start fresh every week, so players don’t have to worry about maintaining their status over long hauls.
FanDuel Poker is currently working to develop a third layer of its Dynasty Builder program with the introduction of Legend Missions. While details are scarce at the moment, these will be focused on long-term goals and will provide access to the best rewards available to the most dedicated of grinders.
A Fresh Approach That Online Poker Needs?
Poker rewards systems have always been one of the hottest topics in the online community. Finding the right balance so that a loyalty program caters to different types of players is difficult.
If recreational players get too much, regs feel like they’re not valued. If there is too much value going to regs, there isn’t enough left for recreational players, which leads to them moving sites, resulting in a smaller player pool and tougher games.
FanDuel Poker, combining its knowledge from both sides of the industry, has come up with a solution that seems quite fair and well-balanced.
- Thrill Missions for fun, recreational players — focus on entertainment & some extra value.
- Grind Missions — for poker-first customers who keep the games going.
- Legend Missions — aiming at the top echelon of grinders who not only seek extra value but take pride in their commitment to the game.
As with all things, time will tell how things will turn out, but Dynasty Builder comes with a lot of promise, and it could be the solution we’ve been waiting for. Balancing things in the volatile online poker space is very hard, but if anyone has the resources and know-how to accomplish that balance, it’s these two gaming giants.
