I previously talked about the VIP program that you are enrolled in when you use your PokerStars bonus code. We learned that if you make a download and use the PokerStars bonus code, you begin fresh as a BronzeStar, but it’s possible to go as high as PlatinumStar status on a monthly basis for greater benefits. The site wanted a way to thank the consistent hardcore grinders, though, so they invented two new statuses: Supernova and Supernova Elite. You’ll earn these statuses yearly rather than monthly, which means they’ll require a much higher commitment than PlatinumStar.
We’ll learn about Supernova first since it’s along the way to Supernova Elite. Once you submit a PokerStars bonus code and then click the cashier button, you can check the VPP points you’ve achieved and the VPPs you need to achieve Supernova. At the start of this year it would have read “you need to earn 100,000 VPP by December 31, 2010 to achieve Supernova”. Once you have 100k VPP, you get to keep Supernova status until the end of February 2011. If you want to keep Supernova further into the year, you need to earn at least 7.5k VPPs each month. This is difficult, so PokerStars allows you to miss one month without penalty. If you haven’t earned 100k VPPs by the start of October, you will lose Supernova status until you get 100k VPPs again.
Let’s go over what kind of rewards you’ll be reaping when you finally achieve the status. First of all, your FPP multiplier becomes an impressive 250%. You also gain access to the special Supernova items in the VIP store. Last entry I mentioned the quarterly million VIP tournament that Gold and PlatinumStars must satellite into. As a Supernova you will not be required to satellite in, and you will simply receive a free entry. This VIP status also gives you the opportunity at the Milestone Cash Credits. When you reach certain VPP levels, you get to purchase these bonuses with FPPs, and unlike a regular PokerStars bonus, you won’t need to concern yourself with poker bonus clearing. Go ahead and pay the required FPPs and the bonus amount will be credited to your account right away, no clearing required. There’s a total of $29.8k in Milestone Credits to earn at the Supernova level.
Do you think Supernova is amazing? Then be prepared to be even more impressed by Supernova Elite, the VIP level that needs a huge 1 million VPPs. This is a very tough task for most players because a lot of poker hands are required to earn a million VPPs. I have to admit that the benefits are absolutely worth it, however. The FPP multiplier you receive will increase to 5, and as usual there are special Supernova Elite items in the VIP store. You’ll also have the chance at some extra Milestone Cash Credits to the tune of $100k. For me, though, the best part of Supernova Elite is the MTT poker that you get the chance to participate in. To start off, PokerStars offers a free entry to the Main Event of the WCOOP, a huge tournament series hosted every year. The site then gives you a list of events that includes EPT Monte Carlo, WSOP Main Event, APPT Sydney, and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. You can choose to take two event packages or, if you don’t like live poker, you can take just one event and receive $10,000 cash in return for not taking another.
The VIP program is so good that many people stick to exclusively PokerStars in order to get the most out of their VIP status. This can be great for you, though, because it’s actually possible to earn the equivalence of over 50% in PokerStars rakeback! It all depends on which Milestone Cash Credits you earn and what else you choose to do with your FPPs. Can you think of any other site that gives over 50% rakeback? That’s incredible! If you’re not already playing at PokerStars, what are you waiting for?
