- All instant cash bonuses have been removed from the store.
- 30% rakeback can only be obtained if $50,000 is raked, unlocking a $15k bonus.
- All changes occurred over the weekend, and players were not forewarned of the changes.
Without prior warning, changes were made to the VIP system at PartyPoker over the weekend that has adversely affected higher-volume players.
Previously, players had the option of using PartyPoker points for instant cash. These were converted at a lower rate than other bonuses, but were popular among some players. All instant cash bonuses have been removed, leaving only bonuses that require play-through to cash out.
More importantly, however, is the change to bonus tiers. Although a max redemption rate of $0.15 per point is still available—equivalent to 30% rakeback—players must now accumulate 100,000 points to reach this level and unlock a $15,000 bonus.
Previously, this redemption rate could be achieved with only 20,000 points, unlocking a $3000 bonus. Now, those 20,000 points can only purchase bonuses that give an equivalent of 20% rakeback.
100,000 points will be unachievable for many players. In addition to having to stockpile such a high number of points, the bonus, once unlocked, requires additional play-through to be converted into cash. These higher requirements will likely force many players to redeem points at lower redemption rates.
These VIP reductions comes as part of a long string of changes to PartyPoker as part of a concerted effort to refocus on recreational players in a bid to reverse its fortunes. In April, it removed its Palladium Elite VIP tier, which previously enticed high-volume play with promotions that offered up to 65% rakeback. All bonuses that gave more than 30% were removed from the store.
Other recent changes include ending its tournament leaderboards promotion, removing all high stakes games and implementing an opaque player segregation policy.
On previous occasions, players were given two months’ notice of the changes, allowing them to spend points and change playing habits ahead of time. However, this recent round of cuts came with no forewarning and no public announcement. Players, upon discovering the removal of bonuses from the store and reduced value of their earned points, took to online poker forums in droves to voice disapproval.
Perhaps in part to soften the blow, PartyPoker has launched a double points promotion, which runs until June 28. Happy hours every day from midnight to 2am, and 6pm to 8pm, will award double Party points on all games and stakes.
It is unlikely to placate many players. But encouraging these high-volume customers to depart may be part of bwin.party’s new strategy for online poker.
