CoinPoker Builds a New App Section for High Rollers
Back in April, we broke down CoinPoker’s move from 100% rakeback to CoinRewards. The High Stakes Poker Rewards got a quick mention, but they weren’t the focus. Action Rewards pay a 50% share of table profit for the more amateur players, and Battle Rewards up to 90% of the value generated in pro-vs-pro matches.
On June 15th, CoinPoker added the VIP Arena, something new for high-stakes players. We’ve already spotted VeniVidi and TaistoJanter inside, as well as Giselle54 and Yodogoki, the player who won the last PLO Heads-Up Cash Game World Championship.
But now, let’s take a close look at what the VIP Arena really is.
What is the VIP Arena?
The VIP Arena is a semi-closed ecosystem for high-stakes cash games on CoinPoker. Action, good games, heightened security, selective membership, and perks for players.
Here’s an overview of what’s inside the VIP Arena:
- Stakes: $50/$100 all the way up to $5,000/$10,0004
- Formats: NLHE, PLO, PLO5, and PLO6, with more games apparently on the way.
- Table Sizes: Heads-up, 4-max, and 6-max
- Extra Rewards: Profit share, on-call support hosts
- Eligibility: Differs based on playing habits
Certain players can join automatically, while others need to prove they will “Bring action to the tables, contribute to great online poker games, and demonstrate the qualities that make VIP Arena players stand out from the crowd.”
Essentially, this translates to playing at a reasonable pace, not maintaining a low-VPIP, and showing sportsmanship.
The goal looks simple, and it’s openly stated by CoinPoker: Create great poker games, don’t play like a nit, be a good sport, and you’ll get rewarded.
We'll walk through what's on offer, then give our verdict.
Perks & Rewards Available in the VIP Arena
Aside from the games themselves, the players inside the VIP Arena are offered several rewards.
#1: 50% Profit Share
CoinPoker’s site states that, “Eligible players receive 50% profit share for their contribution and their role in the VIP Arena community.”
This means that players can receive 50% of their table fees back, essentially 50% rakeback. Payments are made weekly on Tuesday from Monday to Monday games.
#2: A Dedicated Host
In their app, CoinPoker writes that “your on-call host builds the games you want, in the formats you want, against the opponents you choose, and keeps the ones you would rather avoid out of your next game.”
From the sounds of things, this is a few steps above typical support. They’re offering more control of the experience, rather than just help with the cashier or connection issues.
#3: Extra Security Oversight
While this isn’t a reward in the classic sense, CoinPoker says that this high-stakes ecosystem has “additional security resources dedicated to the VIP Arena games.”
With much more money on the tables, this will be a much-needed comfort. CoinPoker says it makes their games “the safest on the market.” In theory, this probably extends to predatory practices like bumhunting, as well as ghosting.
How You Get Into the VIP Arena
Some players are going to get into the VIP Arena automatically, and that’s probably based on them giving good action and not having any kind of violations on their account.
Other players will need to play on $50/$100 Battle Tables first, which earns entry into the VIP Arena. It’s not been said how long this takes, but we imagine it's no less than 500 hands.
The flow, as CoinPoker lays it out:
- Try to sit at a VIP Arena table. If you're not auto-approved, a pop-up appears.
- Follow the pop-up instructions.
- Compete on the Battle Tables and "demonstrate the qualities that make VIP Arena players stand out." In a nutshell, give action and don’t play like a nit.
- CoinPoker will confirm you’re on the path to entry, and let you know when you’ve earned it.
At the moment, it looks like Battle Tables are only available in No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha (4, 5, and 6-card), but no Short Deck, All In or Fold, or Bomb Pot.
What Should Players Think About the VIP Arena?
Of course, these games are high-stakes, so the majority of players won’t have any issues with the VIP Arena. But for the high-stakes players, opinions are going to be divided.
The Things Players Will Love
Better games of poker, increased rewards, extra security oversight, and on-call support. What’s not to like about those things? Even having to play through a certain number of hands on Battle Tables isn’t much of a blocker, especially if the games on the other side of the wall are better than ever.
From the perspective of the VIP, action-loving players, the games are more tuned to their skill set and playing habits. Everyone is going to maintain higher VPIPs, they’ll have more control over who they face, and get rewards from every session. CoinPoker isn’t shy about showing that this area of their app is created for the VIPs (it’s even in the name).
From the perspective of the regs, the way they’d normally play will have to change, but if they earn a VIP Arena spot, they’ll find more action. The VPIP stats they usually hit will need to be adjusted, but surely professionals can still exploit postflop edges to find pots of gold. What’s clear about the VIP Arena is that this area isn’t created for regs, but with a bit of conformity, they’ll be swimming with the kind of players they’d usually leap at the opportunity to play with.
The Things Players May Dislike
Anytime a poker brand makes some of its games exclusive or walled off (to a degree), it might remind them of GGPoker. In November 2024, they made cash games above $10/$20 invitation only. Private hosts run the games, and there’s no pathway to join if your stats don’t match the desired numbers. One player in our coverage said that it was “to clear the VIP tables of regulars.”
What CoinPoker has done is different. Instead of being invite-only, the pathway into the games is clear. Ditch some of the habits that make the VIPs play less, and join them at the tables. Still, there’s going to be a certain amount of backlash, and players will try to draw the comparison between GG and CoinPoker.
Time will tell if the move from CoinPoker works better than the GG model, but it's safe to say that it's less privatized, by far.
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