PokerStars Stack+ is the loyalty scheme that arrived with the October 7 move of UK PokerStars players to the Betfair platform, and it is the clearest sign yet that the network is trying to win back value-conscious grinders. The headline claim is up to 25% rakeback on real-money play, delivered across seven levels, with no wagering requirements on the cash you redeem. For anyone who plays regularly in the UK, it is worth understanding exactly how the programme works, what it replaces, and where it sits against the rest of the market.
The context: PokerStars on Betfair
To understand Stack+ you need the platform change behind it. On August 13, 2026, Betfair Poker left the iPoker network and relaunched on the PokerStars Network as "PokerStars on Betfair." PokerNews reported that the move was the first step in a new network model in which PokerStars connects players across Flutter's brands into shared, connected pools to create bigger fields and more liquidity. The stated precedents were Italy (Sisal and SNAI) and North America (FanDuel).
The next phase took effect October 7. From that date, UK online poker players can access PokerStars games only through PokerStars on Betfair. The games, shared player pools and major series such as the Sunday Million, WCOOP and SCOOP continue. PokerStars Casino and PokerStars Sports are replaced by Betfair Casino and Betfair Sportsbook, and account balances are held in British pounds.
Existing PokerStars players download the Betfair desktop client or mobile app and sign in with their PokerStars credentials. That sign-in transfers their account, balances, T-Money and active tournament tickets. Existing Betfair account holders log in with their Betfair details, and any remaining funds should be withdrawn from the legacy PokerStars.uk cashier. A migration FAQ is available on the PokerStars UK site.
Mike Woodbridge, PokerStars' Chief Commercial Officer, said of the strategy that "The Flutter poker strategy is all about finding new ways to bring great poker to more players." Sky and Paddy Power poker players are expected to join the PokerStars Network "in the coming months."
How Stack+ works
Stack+ launched alongside the platform move. The key mechanics, as reported by PokerNews:
- Up to 25% rakeback on real-money play.
- Opt-in once through the main poker lobby.
- Points are earned on qualifying real-money cash games and tournaments.
- Rakeback begins at 500 points.
- Seven levels. Moving up a level increases your rakeback rate immediately for subsequent play.
- Monthly reset. Points reset at the start of each calendar month, and you keep the level you achieved for the following month.
- No play-through. Redeemed rakeback cash carries no wagering conditions.
The monthly reset is the most important design feature. Unlike a lifetime tier system, Stack+ rewards sustained volume within a month and gives you a safety net by letting you retain your level for the next month. A player who hits a high level in November will start December at that level, and will have the month to maintain it. That favours consistent regulars over occasional high-volume bursts.
The no-play-through rule matters too. Many poker bonuses release in chunks as you generate rake, and some convert into bonus credit that comes with conditions. Cash that arrives without conditions is easier to value and to withdraw.
What 25% rakeback really means
The word "up to" deserves attention. The 25% figure is the top of the ladder, not the entry rate. PokerNews did not publish the percentage for each of the seven levels in the article I reviewed, so the lower tiers should be confirmed in the in-client Stack+ information before you plan around them. If you want a refresher on the concept, our what is rakeback explainer covers the maths, and the rakeback hub compares programmes.
As a quick illustration of how rakeback works in principle: if you generate £100 of rake in a month and your rakeback rate is 20%, you receive £20 back. Move from a 10% to 20% level and the same volume returns twice as much. For a cash game grinder at low stakes, where rake is a significant share of the win rate, rakeback can be the difference between a break-even and a profitable year. For tournament players the effect is smaller but still noticeable on a fixed entry-fee structure.
How it compares with competitors
Rakeback programmes vary widely. Pokerfuse reported earlier this year that GGPoker replaced Fish Buffet with Ocean Rewards, citing cashback of up to 80%, though how that figure applies depends on the structure and player activity. BetRivers has also run rakeback promotions in the US. Stack+ sits in the same trend of operators using cashback to compete for volume. For a deeper comparison of schemes across sites, our bonus page and crypto poker hub cover offshore options that often advertise higher percentages but carry different risks, such as no regulatory oversight.
The honest comparison is that the headline percentage is not the only variable. Look at how points are calculated, whether the rake is measured from contributed or total pot, the reset rules, the cash-out threshold and any restrictions on games or stakes. A scheme that offers a slightly lower percentage but pays out reliably can beat a flashier one with tough conditions. For reviews of real-money sites we cover, see BetOnline, Americas Cardroom and TigerGaming.
Why PokerStars needed this
The platform migration changes the economic equation for UK players. Deucescracked noted that, on recent 30-day tracking, GGPoker averaged about 9,700 cash game players versus roughly 1,900 for PokerStars, and argued that opening the network to third-party skins is a way to draw traffic PokerStars would otherwise have to buy. Betfair contributes a large, mostly recreational sports betting customer base. Woodbridge himself acknowledged that "In recent years, the market environment has gotten harder for brands like PokerStars." In that context, a generous rakeback scheme is a straightforward way to keep regulars while new recreational players arrive.
It also has a competitive effect on iPoker. Betfair's departure removes a major skin from that network, which keeps running its remaining brands but loses shared liquidity. Players who stay on iPoker skins may notice thinner tables over time, while those on PokerStars gain a larger pool.
What UK players should do
- Migrate promptly. Download the Betfair client and sign in with your PokerStars credentials. Check that balances, T-Money and tickets have transferred.
- Opt in to Stack+. You must opt in once through the lobby, so do not assume you are enrolled automatically.
- Understand the monthly reset. Plan your volume so you reach the level you want early in the month, since points reset on the first day of each calendar month.
- Check the tiers. Confirm the percentage at each level in the client before committing.
- Keep records. Track rake paid, rakeback received and net results so you can see whether the programme improves your results.
- Mind your bankroll. Rakeback is a bonus, not a strategy. Our bankroll management guide explains why rakeback should not tempt you to play stakes you cannot afford.
Players outside the UK are not affected by the platform change and keep playing on PokerStars as before, so Stack+ is specifically a UK offer in this context. If you are based in the UK and comparing options, see our UK poker sites overview.
Risks and caveats
Rakeback does not change the underlying fairness or your edge; it reduces the cost of playing. Do not chase volume solely to climb levels. If you find yourself playing more than you planned, step back and revisit your limits. The Gambling Commission requires operators serving UK players to hold a licence and to provide responsible gambling tools, which you should use.
Also remember that migrations come with friction. Pending items such as loyalty points or tickets should be verified with support if anything looks wrong after the switch, and Betfair account holders with leftover funds in the legacy cashier need to withdraw them.
Bottom line
Stack+ is PokerStars' answer to a more competitive UK market: up to 25% rakeback, seven levels, a monthly reset that retains your level for the following month, and cash with no play-through. It launched alongside the move of UK players to the Betfair platform on October 7, part of a wider Flutter plan to pool liquidity across brands. If you play regularly, opt in, learn the tier thresholds and measure the real value against your own rake. Used sensibly, it is a meaningful reduction in the cost of playing.