Can 888 Shakeup the New Jersey Market with New Rewards Program?
After nearly six months 888 Poker has finally unveiled their New Jersey VIP Rewards Program.
The site was one of the early surprises in the New Jersey market, coming out of the gate strong and challenging Borgata / Party and their cousin-site WSOP.com, despite the lack of a VIP Rewards Program and with one of the weaker tournament schedules in the market.
888 was helped by an innovative 80% rakeback promotion they offered their players in January (which just expired) but their traffic has dropped off a cliff in recent weeks, and now sits at just 65 average cash game players according to pokerscout.com. Compare that to the 120 average players the site boasted just six weeks ago.
Now 888 is hoping the addition of their rewards program will turn things around.
888 Rewards
The 888 Rewards Program features six separate tier levels players can attain, with each tier offering progressively more rewards including cashback on their play, freeroll tournament tickets, and other prizes.
To climb the VIP ladder all you need to do is play at the 888 poker tables and earn Status Points. Status Points determine your standing in the VIP Program at the site and the higher you climb in the 888 VIP Rewards Program the faster you’ll accumulate Reward Points.
Here is a look at the six separate tiers:
Tier 1: Blue
- All players begin at the Blue tier
- Earn 2.5 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 5% cashback rate
Tier 2: Iron
- Achieved at 50 Status Points in a single month
- Earn 4 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 8% cashback rate
Tier 3: Bronze
- Achieved at 200 Status Points in a single month
- Earn 5 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 10% cashback rate
Tier 4: Silver
- Achieved at 3,000 Status Points in a single month
- Earn 7.5 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 15% cashback rate
Tier 5: Gold
- Achieved at 6,000 Status Points in a single month
- Earn 10 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 20% cashback rate
Tier 6: Platinum
- Achieved at 20,000 Status Points in a single month
- Earn 17.5 Rewards Points for every Status Point earned
- 35% cashback rate
How does 888’s rewards program stack up?
The first thing I noticed was the simplicity of the program. It’s easy to understand and grasp for even the most casual online poker player, unlike the complex partypoker rewards program that requires a calculus degree to determine the cashback rates of each tier. So kudos to 888 for getting that part of it right.
Furthermore, 888’s rewards program is the best I’ve seen in New Jersey up to this point. With a max cashback rate of 35% (and an easily achievable 10% rate) the program is the best in New Jersey for both serious grinders and for casual players.
Additionally, with a 5% cashback rate for all players, 888 is instantly more appealing to new players or very sporadic participants, such as weekend warrior tournament players.
Overall I would say 888’s rewards program is an instant game changer in New jersey, and WSOP.com and partypoker better watch their backs, and I haven’t talked about the freeroll tournaments!
According to a press release by 888, “Every month there are daily, weekly, and monthly free tournaments with a $10,000 monthly prize pool. It’s just another way that 888poker gives back to its players.”
You can find more information on the newly implemented Rewards Program, including the freeroll tournament prizes and schedules at the 888 New Jersey website.
