The GGPoker Rewards program is a multi-tier loyalty scheme named Fish Buffet. The sea-themed rewards system will see you going from lowly plankton to a scary shark, allowing you to get up to 60% of your rake back at the highest, GGPlatinum tier.

On this page, we bring you all the details of the GGPoker Fish Buffet, including mechanics, rewards you can expect after achieving different levels and ranks, what you should be focusing on, and how to get the best value out of it.

Let’s take the plunge into the deep ocean and explore the depths of the GGPoker Rewards program together, answering all the questions you may have (and a few you didn’t even know you had).

GGPoker Rewards Basics: What Is the Fish Buffet?

The Fish Buffet represents the backbone of GGPoker’s rewards system. While the operator offers all sorts of bonuses, promotions, and giveaways on a regular basis, it is the Fish Buffet that most regulars are really focused on.

The rewards scheme features eight main levels. Each of these levels features several ranks, which we’ll discuss in more detail in a moment.

Here’s a top-level breakdown of the GGPoker Fish Buffet:

1. Plankton — 15% rakeback
2. Fish — 17% – 20% rakeback
3. Shrimp — 22% – 24% rakeback
4. Crab — 26% – 28% rakeback
5. Octopus — 30% – 35% rakeback
6. Whale — 41% – 50% rakeback
7. Shark — 55% rakeback
8. GGPlatinum — 60% rakeback

So, even the low-volume players at GGPoker can expect some of their rake back, but things get really interesting and valuable at the top end of the spectrum, where you can get 50% to 60% fixed rakeback, which is quite lucrative for modern online poker standards.

Getting Your Rake Back from GGPoker

Before we move on to finer details of the Fish Buffet, it’s important to understand the manner in which GGPoker will pay you your rakeback.

For the most part, you’ll be collecting your rewards via a spin on the Rewards Wheel, which you’ll unlock every time you accumulate the required number of points. Rewards on the wheel feature a number of different dollar values, so there is some variance here.

On average, you’ll be getting the advertised percentage, but you’ll have runs where your actual rakeback will be lower or higher, depending on where you land on the Rewards Wheel. The highest reward also has the highest drop percentage, and you can expect to get it 50% of the time.

• Plankton: $0.75 – $2
• Goldfish: $1.50 – $5
• Shrimp: $6 – $30
• Crab: $12 – $60
• Octopus: $60 – $360
• Whale: $120 – $1,200

Players who prefer a fixed rakeback percentage can also go for that option by locking in one of the Platinum ranks. These ranks have a duration of 365 days, and you will know exactly what you’re getting back every week:

• Platinum Fish — 20% weekly rakeback
• Platinum Octopus — 35% weekly rakeback
• Platinum Whale — 50% weekly rakeback
• GGPlatinum (top tier) — 60% weekly rakeback

Players can switch between Platinum and regular ranks, although there is a cool-down period. But if you decide that you’re not happy with a fixed rakeback and you’d rather go back to the regular Fish Buffet and the Rewards Wheel, you’ll be able to do so at any point.

GGPoker Fish Buffet Full Breakdown

With the basics out of the way, we can now dive deeper and fully dissect the GGPoker Rewards system, showing you what to expect at each level.

It is a rather elaborate system with many different levels, but this fine breakdown is also quite motivating. There is always something to aspire to, with each new rank increasing your returns.

Fish Buffet Ranks

Once you reach the required number of points, you’ll be able to spin the wheel and claim your reward. In the event you don’t manage to collect the needed points within the stated limit, you’ll still receive a reward that’s equal to 10% of the value of the points, and you’ll be demoted to a lower rank.

GGPoker Platinum Ranks: Opting for a Fixed Rakeback

As mentioned earlier and shown in the table, there are several “Platinum” ranks available, which offer a fixed rakeback for the entire year.

You can opt for the lowest, Platinum Fish rank, right off the bat, and lock up 20% rakeback. This option will remain available to you until you reach the Whale rank. Once you reach this point, you can switch to Platinum Octopus and lock up 35% weekly rakeback.

The last three levels are all Platinum, with fixed rakeback, but to reach the Platinum Whale, you’ll need to clear all the requirements, then do it again to reach the Platinum Shark, and, finally, GGPlatinum.

When you opt in for one of the Platinum tiers, your rakeback will be paid at the start of each week, and you can collect it from your GGPoker account. The money will be transferred straight to your cash balance without any restrictions or requirements.

You’ll always have an option to switch back to regular Fish Buffet to try and play for a higher level. If you feel like you can make it to Platinum Octopus, it makes sense to abandon Platinum Fish and stick to the regular program until you reach that higher tier.

If you’re not happy with how things are working out, you can always switch back to the lower Platinum tier, but you’ll have to wait until the time limit for achieving the next regular Bronze level you’re currently at has expired.

Earning GGPoker Fish Buffet Points

Points are essential to your progression through the GGPoker Rewards system and, ultimately, for your rakeback.

On average, you can expect to get 100 Fish Buffet Points (FP) for every $1 you pay in rake. However, GGPoker uses a calculation system that takes other factors into consideration as well, which means that this number won’t be the same across the board.

This system is known as the Player Value Index (PVI), and it considers a number of factors when calculating how many points a player gets for a certain amount of rake paid. Full details of the GGPoker PVI aren’t available to general public, but we’ll try our best here to explain how it works (as much as possible).

GGPoker PVI & Earning Points

Affecting the exact number of FPs you’ll get for $1 in rake and fees paid is your deposit history, behavior at the tables, types of games you play, etc. Generally speaking, the GGPoker PVI system favors recreational players more, while winning recs can expect somewhat lower returns.

So, the advertised number (100 FPs for $1 in rake) is more of a guideline than an actual figure you can fully rely on. Two players paying the same amount in rake will end up with different points totals, depending on the factors mentioned above. The PVI will put all this together and come up with a total using a formula that, once again, isn’t publicly available.

In general, recreational players get more value from the PVI, while regular, winning players often find themselves on the lower end of the spectrum. For example:

• Player A – rakes in $1,000 but their PVI is actually $1,300 (probably a losing, completely recreational player)
• Player B – rakes in $1,000 and their PVI is close to $1,000 (possibly a regular, break-even player)
• Player C – pays $1,000 in rake but ends up with the PVI of just $800 (most likely a winning player)

Once again, this isn’t exactly how the PVI formula works at GGPoker, but it gives you an idea of what you can expect. As a long-term winning player, you are guaranteed to get fewer points for the rake paid than a completely recreational player who deposits often and withdraws rarely or never.

FAQ

What is GGPoker Fish Buffet?

Fish Buffet is GGPoker’s rewards poker available to all players from the moment they join the site.

How much rakeback can I get through GGPoker Rewards?

The GGPoker Rewards System offers up to 60% of your rake back if you reach the highest rank of GGPlatinum.

How can I claim my rakeback at GGPoker?

There are two different ways of claiming your rakeback of GGPoker. If you are at one of the Platinum ranks, you’ll receive a fixed rakeback percentage every week, paid straight into your account. If you stick to the regular Fish Buffet progression, your rakeback will be available via the Rewards Wheel.

How do I earn Fish Buffet Points at GGPoker?

You’ll be earning Fish Buffet Points (FPs) at an average rate of 100 FPs for every $1 paid in rake and fees. However, other factors will influence this rate as well, such as types of games you play, your playing style, deposit history, etc.

Can I go back from Platinum to regular Fish Buffet?

Yes, you can go back from Platinum to regular Fish Buffet at any point to try and move up in the GGPoker Rewards scheme.