Rakeback vs Poker VIP: many online poker players simply don't understand what a Poker VIP Program is and how it differs from your standard Rakeback offer.  While most players understand Rakeback and seek it out, many have the misinformed notion that VIP Offers aren't worth the effort.  The fact is most VIP Poker Programs are essentially the same as a Rakeback yet with a tiered approach to paying out cash back bonuses.  Whereas Rakeback is straight forward in that you get a pre-determined percentage of your Rake...back, VIP Programs offer different cash back percentages based on the number of points you generate.  Points are based on rake, thus Poker VIP Programs are just a more sophisticated way of offering rakeback that rewards higher volume grinders more than the casual player.  

It's important to remember that Poker Rakeback is simply a cash back bonus paid monthly, weekly or daily that represents a percentage of your rake paid to the room.  A VIP offer is the almost the same thing, except it is based on points that you have to redeem or can use to buy into tournaments for example.  Poker VIP Programs have different levels and unlike most rakeback programs do not have deductions for deposit fees, bonuses or for redeeming points in the poker site store.  In addition almost all VIP Programs make you eligible for any other promotions the site is running, whereas in a rakeback deal many sites exclude rakeback players from special promotions.

Recently the Merge Network discontinued it's rakeback program and switched to a Poker VIP Program.  Two of the major sites on the Merge Network, RPM Poker and Carbon Poker have launched their own unique VIP Poker Programs.  Carbon's VIP Program is the essentially the same program they had before ending rakeback.

We'll take a detailed look at each program and how it converts to actual cash back value (rakeback).

RPM Poker VIP Program

RPM has launched a simple tiered program which is very easy to understand and based on a VIP Point system directly tied to how much you contribute in Rake.  

• The Top Tier in the RPM Poker VIP Program earns up to 45% cash back (rakeback).  
• For every $1 you contribute in Rake, you earn 10 VIP Points
• Each level is called a Gear, there are 14 Gears or Levels based on how many cards there are in a deck.  The lowest gear level is 2, with Gear A (for Ace) being the top level.
• Gear levels 7 and above allow you to exchange points for cash.
• Every level gets you an entry to a monthly freeroll with the lowest gear entry to a $250 freeroll and the top gear a $8000 Freeroll
• Inactivty leads to Decay Points meaning you will lose accumulated VIP Points if you go inactive without earning a VIP Point for 60 days
• Spending points does not alter you VIP Level, it just reduces your VIP point balance.
• You can switch from Rakeback to VIP simply by emailing RPM.

Carbon Poker VIP Program

The Carbon VIP Program is a little more sophisticated than RPM's but allows you greater latitude in acheiving higher cashback percentages when stacking their other promotions on top of your VIP earnings.

• Top VIP level ETHER earns you 35% cash back as well as numerous other perks and bonuses.  
• By coupling the VIP ETHER level with Exchange points for Cash and the Super Money Tree promotion, you can actually earn up to 65% cash back.
• For every $1 you pay in Rake, you earn 10 VIP Points
• There are 5 VIP Levels at Carbon Poker: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Ether
• Every level earns you entry into a monthly freeroll, with the prize pool based on the level. ETHER VIP earns you entry into a $3500 Freeroll
• Points will decay with 30 days on inactivity
• Spending points does not alter your VIP Level, it just reduces your VIP point balance.

Carbon Poker VIP Program	EARTH	WIND	FIRE	WATER	ETHER
Required Points/Month	250	2,000	5,000	10,000	25,000
Daily VIP Cashback Rebates	6%	7.5%	10%	15%	35%
Exchange Pts For Cash	$3.00	$7.00	$15.00	$25.00	$60.00
Pts Required For Exchange	500	1000	2000	2500	5000
Tourney Entry with Pts
VIP Rewards Store
Special Bonus Offers
Live Chat Support
Customizable Tables
Create Your Own Sng's
Birthday Gift
Sidegame Rebates	X	X
Event Invitations	X	X	X
VIP Player Host	X	X	X
Carbon Junkets	X	X	X	X
Free Checks	$20.00	$15.00	$10.00	$5.00	FREE

In conclusion by analyzing the new VIP Programs offered by Carbon and RPM Poker, it is clear that for high volume players, VIP Programs offer better value than the traditional Rakeback deal.