## VPP and FPP in Poker: What They Were and How Loyalty Points Work in 2026

The essentials:

- VPP (VIP Player Points) and FPP (Frequent Player Points) were PokerStars' classic loyalty system: VPP was the "base" point earned from rake paid, while FPP was the redeemable point for bonuses, tournaments, and merchandise.

- That structure, along with the BronzeStar, SilverStar, GoldStar, PlatinumStar, Supernova, and Supernova Elite tiers, belonged to PokerStars' historical program and is not the active system in 2026. The room has evolved its loyalty structure over time and by regulated market.

- Other rooms operate their own programs with different names and mechanics; for example, GGPoker uses Ocean Rewards with Tide Points and Gems.

- The actual value per point, when these systems existed, varied significantly depending on redemption: large cash bonuses typically offered better returns than merchandise or small prizes.

- If you're playing in 2026, always check your room's VIP or promotions section to learn the current loyalty program in effect, rather than relying on outdated ratios or tier information you might find in forums.

Playing across multiple regulated sites makes it easy to get lost in the acronyms: VPP, FPP, Tide Points, Gems... They all refer to loyalty systems, but they work differently and hold different value, and many no longer exist as originally designed.

This guide explains what VPP poker and FPP were, and how PokerStars' classic system operated. It also covers how that system differed from other player point programs, and why in 2026 you should treat it as historical reference rather than current offerings before choosing where to play.## What were VPP poker and where they came from

The VPP/FPP system was the classic model that made PokerStars popular for years. Over time the room introduced regional variations, and today this specific scheme is no longer the active loyalty program in 2026: it's kept here as historical reference because it remains useful for understanding the underlying logic of online poker loyalty programs.

VPP (VIP Player Points) were the unit generated automatically each time rake was paid in cash games or commission in tournaments. They couldn't be redeemed directly for anything: their only function was to track playing volume and, with it, your VIP tier within the program.

FPP (Frequent Player Points) were the loyalty currency you could actually spend: cash bonuses, tournament tickets, live event packages, or shop merchandise. They were earned as a multiplier of VPP, and that multiplier depended on your VIP tier.

Historical note: in that classic PokerStars system, a Bronze player could earn 1 FPP per VPP, while a Supernova Elite earned up to 5 FPP per VPP. The difference between tiers multiplied by five the earning power of the same amount of rake paid. This scheme is no longer active as of 2026; it's described here for historical and educational purposes only.

How VPP was calculated in practice

The calculation varied by game format and room. In cash games, many platforms used the "weighted contributed" method: VPP was distributed proportionally to what each player contributed to the pot, not as a flat amount per hand.

The typical formula was:

VPP = (your pot contribution / total pot) × (total rake × VPP multiplier)

An illustrative example from that system: if the pot was $20, rake was $1, you contributed $10 (50% of the pot), and the room's multiplier was 8.5 VPP per $1 of rake, you'd earn 0.5 × (1 × 8.5) = 4.25 VPP on that hand.

In tournaments and Sit & Go games, the calculation was typically simpler: a flat multiplier for each unit of commission paid. Documented ratios ranged between 5 and 7 VPP per €1 or $1 of fee, depending on the network and jurisdiction.

Warning: everything above describes a historical system. The multipliers and the very existence of the VPP/FPP scheme have changed over the years and vary between regulated markets (Spain, France, Italy). If you play today, don't assume these ratios still apply; always check current terms published by the room.

VIP tiers and multipliers: historical reference table

The classic system organized VIP tiers based on accumulated VPP in a period (monthly or annual), and each tier determined how many FPP you earned per VPP generated. This structure no longer represents the current loyalty program of any room in 2026; it's preserved as reference to understand how these systems worked.

PokerStars historical system — not active in 2026

Historical reference table of PokerStars' old system. These tiers and multipliers are not active in 2026 and do not reflect the room's current loyalty program. If you play today, check the current VIP terms published directly by the operator in your regulated jurisdiction (Spain, France, UK).

One metric that illustrates the scale of that system well: it was reported that a Supernova-tier player could redeem roughly 250,000 FPP for about $4,000 in bonuses, giving a rough idea of value per point in the upper brackets of the old program. That ratio belongs to the past, doesn't apply to current redemptions, and serves only as a historical scale reference.

Current loyalty systems: what each room uses in 2026

Every poker operator has built its own rewards program, and it's important not to confuse outdated schemes with what's actually in place today:

• •PokerStars currently operates its own rewards system, different from the old VPP/FPP structure with Bronze Star through Supernova Elite levels described in this guide. The specific terms (how points accumulate, what you can redeem, and which tiers exist) vary by market—check the promotions or VIP section of the room directly for accurate details.
• •GGPoker uses Ocean Rewards, its loyalty program built on Tide Points and Gems: Tide Points reflect your activity and determine your progression within the program, while Gems function as the redeemable currency for rewards.
• •Other operators and skins: many regulated rooms, including those licensed in Spain, simply use "points" or "VIP points" with their own accumulation and redemption logic. There's no universal system, even within the same network—each operator or skin can offer different rewards, with unique multipliers, thresholds, and redemption catalogs.

Key fact: no universal conversion rates exist between these programs, and any "VPP/FPP ratio" you find online almost certainly describes a historical scheme, not a room's current program. Comparing "points per euro of rake" across operators only makes sense if calculated under equivalent conditions (same game type, same level, same timeframe) using current data. Without up-to-date figures from each room, treat any comparison as guidance only.

If you play on DGOJ-regulated rooms in Spain, always check the promotions or VIP section of each operator before assuming the loyalty system works the same as the international .com version. You can review verified rooms available on PokerDealsAI to check current terms for each before deciding where to concentrate your volume.## Strengths and limits of point systems

Before building your playing volume around a loyalty program, it's worth weighing what these systems typically offer and what they don't, both in historical form and in structures active today.

Strengths (general to these programs):

• •Reward actual playing volume with something tangible: bonuses, tickets, or merchandise.
• •Higher tiers typically improved value per point significantly compared to entry-level tiers, something that remains common in current programs.
• •Let you plan measurable monthly or annual targets.
• •Complement other programs like direct rakeback without replacing them.

Limitations:

• •Moving up a tier requires high hand or tournament volume; not realistic for casual players.
• •Points typically expire or reset when periods change (monthly/annual), and losing a VIP tier can mean losing the multiplier too.
• •Value per point isn't uniform: the best cash redemptions typically offer better returns than the merchandise shop or eye-catching prizes, but require more accumulated volume.
• •Multipliers, thresholds, and even the existence of these schemes change between regulated jurisdictions and over time; what worked in the historical PokerStars system described in this guide doesn't represent what any room offers in 2026.

Pro tip: before setting a VIP tier goal in 2026, first check what loyalty program is actually active at your room (it may have nothing to do with the historical VPP/FPP scheme), calculate the value per point of redemptions you'd use, and divide by the hand volume you need to reach it. If the result doesn't justify table time, a direct rakeback program might serve you better.

AI Points from PokerDealsAI: An Additional Layer, Not a Replacement

Each poker room's loyalty program—whether historical VPP/FPP schemes or the current system each operator runs in 2026—operates independently and accumulates according to that room's specific rules. When you register at partner rooms through PokerDealsAI, you earn AI Points on top of your room rewards: a separate program that recognizes your play activity with additional benefits.

These two systems remain distinct: AI Points are completely separate from the room's loyalty program and don't count toward your VPP or FPP totals. It's a standalone program designed to complement, not replace, the rakeback and points you already earn directly from the operator. Check your account terms to see how AI Points apply at each specific room.## Warnings and Fine Print

Warning: Loyalty point systems change frequently. Poker rooms adjust multiplier rates, level thresholds, and redemption catalogs without extensive notice, and the VPP/FPP system with Bronze through Supernova Elite tiers described in this guide reflects PokerStars' historical program—not their 2026 structure. Before planning your play volume around a specific VIP tier, check the VIP or promotions section directly on the room's site.

Additional key considerations:

• •VPP earned in cash games and tournaments could expire at period-end if you failed to reach your target level.
• •Redeeming FPP for merchandise or physical prizes typically offered worse point-to-value ratios than cash bonuses.
• •Historical conversion rates (VPP per € raked, FPP per VPP) should not be treated as current benchmarks: rates differ between a room's .com version and its regulated license in Spain, the UK, or the EU, and the program structure itself may no longer exist by 2026.
• •This content is informational only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. If you're uncertain how to report bonuses or prizes earned through loyalty points under your jurisdiction's rules, consult a tax professional.## Frequently Asked Questions

Can VPP be spent directly?

No. It's important to remember that VPP and FPP represent PokerStars' legacy loyalty system, not their current 2026 program. In that older structure, VPP only determined your VIP tier and how many FPP you earned per level; redemption always happened through FPP or each room's equivalent system. Today, you should check your operator's current loyalty program.

Is it better to play cash or tournaments to accumulate points?

It depends on the room's calculation method. In cash games using the "weighted contributed" method, your point generation depends on your pot contribution; in tournaments, calculations tend to be more predictable because they're based on a fixed multiplier of the rake paid. Always compare based on your actual volume, not generic figures.

Do current programs at other rooms match PokerStars' old VPP system?

No. Each operator uses its own rules, point units, requirements, and rewards. You cannot compare nominal point amounts without understanding their actual value, redemption conditions, and expiration policies.

Do AI Points replace the room's rakeback?

No. It's a separate program that adds to what you already earn from the room—not a replacement for rakeback or the VPP/FPP system.## Start Playing and Accumulate Points at Regulated Poker Rooms

Want to see how loyalty rewards work in practice? Check the VIP conditions directly at rooms like WPT Global or PartyPoker before deciding where to focus your volume.

Compare verified poker rooms available on PokerDealsAI and review their current loyalty program terms before choosing where to play. Browse available rooms