Launched in 2024, the “Brian Rast’s poker room” introduced an unconventional rakeback system. Rewards aren’t paid in fiat (USD, EUR, etc.) but in the local Phenom token. You can either hold the asset or swap it for a more familiar currency.
In this article, we break down how rake is tracked, how the room’s VIP program works, and how to get your well-earned Phenom Poker rakeback.
Key Facts About the Poker Room
Phenom Poker is a new crypto poker room that leverages blockchain technology to deliver a fair, transparent playing environment. The creators say players on the platform aren’t just users but stakeholders with a voice. The team includes pros like Brian Rast, Eric Baldwin, Joseph Cheong, Ben Heath, and Chris Hunichen. Within Phenom poker, the community-driven token system is a central pillar of the product.
The room launched on October 7, 2024, initially with cash games only. The spread is unusually wide: Hold’em, Omaha (4, 5, 6 cards), Hi-Lo, fixed-limit and mixed games (Stud, Razz, Badugi, Draw, Badeucy, Badacey, Dramaha, and more). Niche/mixed games are a calling card the room highlights in its marketing.
From day one, the following table types have been active:
- Omaha Hi-Lo (5-card and 6-card).
- Circus Mix of 7 games: Baduci 2-7, Dramaha High, Stud8, Badacey A-5, Badugi, Dramaha 2-7, and Stud Hi-Lo (no 8-qualifier).
- Super Circus Mix: adds Archie 66, Fixed-Limit Omaha8, 2-7 Razz.
- 8-Game Mix, O.E. Mix (Fixed-Limit Stud8 & Omaha8), and other variants.
Active stakes range from a $1 big bet/big blind up to $40–$60. Action typically picks up at 17:00–21:00 UTC / 12:00–16:00 EST. If you’re coming from apps with play money modes, it is not available here. Planned additions include Chinese Poker, Sit & Go’s, MTTs, and private tables.
By 2025, there’s only a browser client, but the team says desktop versions are coming soon. The roadmap also lists bad-beat jackpots, leaderboards, and downloadable hand histories.
USDT deposits and cashouts on Polygon carry no fees. You can also top up via the built-in swapper using other tokens, but expect a 1–1.5% loss on conversion.
Phenom Poker Rake Structure
The rake structure depends on the game type, stakes, and number of players:
- No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 2.5%–5% with caps from $0.20 (NL2) to $15 (NL10K+).
- Fixed-Limit & Mixed Games: 1%–5% with caps from $0.05 to $15.
Exact values by limit are in the tables below:
No-Limit & Pot-Limit Tables
| Blinds | % Rake | Cap (2–3 Players) | Cap (4+ Players) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.01 / 0.02 | 5.0% | 0.10 | 0.20 |
| 0.02 / 0.05 | 5.0% | 0.15 | 0.30 |
| 0.05 / 0.10 | 5.0% | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| 0.10 / 0.25 | 5.0% | 0.50 | 1.00 |
| 0.25 / 0.50 | 5.0% | 0.50 | 1.50 |
| 0.50 / 1.00 | 5.0% | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| 1 / 2 | 4.5% | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 2 / 4 | 4.5% | 2.00 | 4.00 |
| 3 / 6 | 4.5% | 2.50 | 5.00 |
| 4 / 8 | 4.5% | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| 5 / 10 | 4.0% | 3.00 | 7.00 |
| 10 / 20 | 4.0% | 4.00 | 10.00 |
| 25 / 50 | 4.0% | 5.00 | 12.00 |
| 50 / 100 | 3.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 100 / 200 | 3.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 200 / 400 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 300 / 600 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 400 / 800 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 500 / 1000 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 750 / 1500 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 1000 / 2000 | 2.5% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
Fixed-Limit & Mixed Games Tables
Limits | % Rake | Cap (2–3 Players) | Cap (4+ Players) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50 / 1.00 | 5.0% | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| 1 / 2 | 5.0% | 0.40 | 0.75 |
| 2 / 4 | 5.0% | 0.60 | 1.25 |
| 3 / 6 | 5.0% | 0.75 | 1.50 |
| 4 / 8 | 5.0% | 0.85 | 1.75 |
| 5 / 10 | 5.0% | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| 6 / 12 | 5.0% | 1.10 | 2.25 |
| 8 / 16 | 5.0% | 1.25 | 2.50 |
| 10 / 20 | 4.0% | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| 15 / 30 | 4.0% | 1.75 | 3.50 |
| 20 / 40 | 3.0% | 2.00 | 4.00 |
| 30 / 60 | 3.0% | 2.25 | 4.50 |
| 40 / 80 | 3.0% | 2.50 | 5.00 |
| 50 / 100 | 2.0% | 2.75 | 5.50 |
| 80 / 160 | 2.0% | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| 100 / 200 | 2.0% | 3.50 | 7.00 |
| 150 / 300 | 1.0% | 4.00 | 8.00 |
| 200 / 400 | 1.0% | 5.00 | 9.00 |
| 300 / 600 | 1.0% | 5.00 | 10.00 |
| 400 / 800 | 1.0% | 6.00 | 12.00 |
| 500 / 1000 | 1.0% | 6.00 | 12.00 |
| 600 / 1200 | 1.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 800 / 1600 | 1.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 1000 / 2000 | 1.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
| 2000 / 4000 | 1.0% | 7.00 | 15.00 |
How Rakeback Is Calculated
Phenom Poker runs a five-tier loyalty program: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Phenom. Everyone starts at Bronze with 15% rakeback. At the top tier, rakeback is 35%. This is the core rakeback deal; to project your weekly return, use a simple rakeback calculator and plug in your expected rake and current tier. Many grinders compare the VIP deal here to other online poker rooms before committing volume.
Phenom Player Rewards Tiers
| Tier | Rakeback | Requirement | Validity | Merch Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 15% | none | none | none |
| Silver | 17.5% | 100 points / 30 days | 1 month | none |
| Gold | 22.5% | 1,500 points / 90 days | 3 months | 15% |
| Platinum | 27.5% | 10,000 points / 180 days | 6 months | 27.5% |
| Phenom | 40% | 120,000 points / 365 days | 1 year | 40% |
$1 in rake earns 1 loyalty point. For example, to reach Silver you need to generate $100 in rake within a month. Your status remains active for the period listed above and is re-evaluated after it expires.
What Can You Do With the Phenom Token?
Rakeback is paid weekly, but not in USDT — you receive Phenom Token (PHNM). The token’s price isn’t pegged to USD or any other fiat and can change over time. The current PHNM/USDT rate is displayed in the lobby next to your pending rakeback.
Phenom Token isn’t traded on public markets — the team’s goal is to keep ownership fully within the poker community. All tokens exist inside Phenom Poker: you can only earn them as rewards and can transfer them only back to the site in exchange for USDT.
You decide what to do with your PHNM:
- Hold. Treat it as a crypto asset that could go up or down over time. This choice involves risk and suits players comfortable with crypto investing.
- Sell. Swap PHNM to USDT directly in the client. Note that PHNM runs on the Polygon protocol, and redeemed USDT is also on Polygon. Keep this in mind for both deposits and cashouts.
The team states that half of the rake generated at the tables is distributed among token holders. Each week, a share of profits corresponding to your holding is paid out in USDT to the wallet where your PHNM sits. Holders receive distributions even if they didn’t play that week.
Holders are also promised the right to vote on key product changes and new initiatives, perhaps we will see play money modes in the future.
Where Else Can You Play Poker
If Phenom Poker isn’t your fit, GipsyTeam has plenty of strong alternatives. Crypto enthusiasts may like CoinPoker, another blockchain pioneer with a native token that’s easier to convert and cash out to fiat. CoinPoker also offers a desktop client and its own MTT series.
If you want your room to have more traffic and freerolls, check out VangPoker. You’ll find Hold’em, Omaha, and Chinese Poker, plus cash games, MTTs, and Spins. Explore even more vetted online poker sites in our Poker Rooms section, with their key advantages and bonus codes for new users. For tailored recommendations and hands-on help with registration, get in touch with our support team.
For maximum value anywhere you play, visit GT+ page:
- increased rakeback
- access to softer fields
- time savings thanks to software and room support
- coaching from up-to-date trainers
- local chats with regulars
- cashback and fee-free withdrawal assistance
By generating rake through GT+, you can unlock advanced courses from top regs and receive professional poker software as a bonus.
You’ll also find a ton of practical articles about playing real-money poker online: how to learn the basic rules, hand rankings, whether you can register at Americas Cardroom from your country, whether it has play money mode, and more.
