Bovada Poker Rakeback: How to Get Up to 40% Back (Full Guide)

When I first started playing on Bovada Poker I immediately wanted to know about the rakeback structure so I could figure out if it was worth playing on the site. Fast forward over 10 years later and I wish I knew what I know now.

Bovada does not over traditional rakeback, but once you understand how the rewards program works you can still get back 30% plus for playing poker on the site. In this update I will explain everything you need to know.

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What Is Rakeback?

To make this as simple as possible rakeback is a way for us poker players to earn back a portion of the fees they pay while playing. In most online poker games, the site takes a small cut from each pot or tournament entry—this is called the rake. Over time, these fees start to increase. Especially if you put in a lot of volume.

Rakeback programs return a percentage of that money to the player. For example, if you generate $100 in rake and receive 30% rakeback, you will get $30 back. This can come in the form of cash, bonuses, or reward points depending on the site. This is also the standard you will see on most rake offers to players. I would say it’s the industry standard.

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Does Bovada Offer Rakeback?

Okay, no they do not. Instead, they have a rewards program that acts the same way. This probably sounds confusing, but I will explain it in the next section.

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Bovada Rewards (Real Rakeback)

So, every time you sit down in a cash game or give a tournament entry fee you earn points which are automatically added to your account each time you log in and play. Later on, you can convert those points into cash bonuses, tournament entry fees, or specialty prizes. I will attach a screenshot so you can see this a bit better.

As you move up in player tiers you will start to earn better rewards. For example, you start off as a bronze player but can move up to the highest tier Hall of Fame. The more you move up in VIP tiers the reward points compound faster, and it becomes almost like a snowball that keeps working in your favor.

The realistic return for casual players might be anywhere from 10 to 15% on the low end. But when you move up in tiers and put in volume it can get as high as 40% in terms of what the standard rakeback offer would get you. It’s actually pretty good but it comes down to commitment and looking at this as a long-term site to play on.

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Hidden Rakeback Strategies

Most players assume rakeback is fixed, but there are several ways to increase the value you get back on sites like Bovada. And this is what I do. The biggest edge comes from stacking bonuses with regular play. For example, first deposit bonuses often act like temporary high percentage rakeback if you clear them through consistent volume and are of course profitable at the stake you are playing.

Another hidden strategy is paying attention to reload bonuses and email offers. Bovada frequently sends targeted promotions that many players ignore, but these can add significant extra value over time. Treat these as part of your overall rakeback rather than separate perks.

Game selection also plays a role. 6 max cash games generate more rake per hour, which means more points and rewards. That’s typically what I play the most. If you try and do this with sit and go’s and big multi table tournaments it won’t be nearly as good. Cash games are the bread and butter to generate reward points on Bovada.

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Is Bovada Worth It Without Rakeback

I can’t stress what I am about to say next enough. Rakeback is awesome, don’t get me wrong, but you also need to look at the bigger picture. Meaning are the games soft enough on here to win consistently and can I trust this site? And I’ve found the players here to be mediocre at best, and that’s at most stakes on the site.

For example, any game under $200 is basically filled with recreational players. The reason for that is you see a lot of crossovers from sports to poker. Meaning a lot of sports players like to throw chips around in the poker games and don’t really care if they win or lose. That’s exactly why the player pool on here is so soft compared to a lot of other sites. And that is your opportunity.

If you are willing to put in the work and constantly improve you can easily get an edge against the competition. Another thing you must ask yourself is, can I deal with the inevitable variance that comes with playing poker. Meaning can I handle my pocket aces losing to pocket tens occasionally. All these little things build a true winning poker player. But you must constantly put in the time and want it more than the next guy.

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How to Maximize Value on Bovada

First, you need to sign up and stick to this one format mainly. And that format of course if 6 max cash games. If you multi table even 2 to 3 tables at a time you can easily see hundreds of hands per hour. The more hands you play the more reward points will hit your account each day.

Playing in higher stake games will generate more points per hand, however even low stake games can add up if you are multi tabling. After each session you can track the points you accumulated for that day in your settings, which is very convenient in the beginning. This can give you a baseline for how many points you are generating every day playing a certain stake divided by tables and hours you are playing. That’s how I would approach this. A couple more steps but worth it.

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Final Thoughts

Even though Bovada does not offer the traditional rakeback format for poker, they still have an excellent rewards program that can give you a lot more back overtime. A lot of this comes down to volume and how much time you are going to put in at the poker tables. For example, if you’re just doing this recreationally you may only play 1000-2000 hands per month. But if you’re a serious grinder who puts in over 10,000 hands per month that’s when things get interesting. Personally, I am in the second group.

As you move up in VIP tiers the rewards will get better all around. You get the same perks as being able to get tournament tickets combined with some cash back offers after you accumulate thousands or even hundreds of thousands of points. But you can also become hosted later and get all kinds of incentive offers just to hit a higher VIP status. So, in a way they reward you with the more you play here.

I’ve been regularly playing here for a good portion of my life. Ha, I know that sounds weird, but I am a big fan of the brand. I will continue playing not just because of the rakeback rewards structure, but because I thoroughly enjoy the software, cash games, and big multi table tournaments they have going on all the time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bovada poker have rakeback?
Bovada does not offer traditional rakeback like some poker sites. Instead, players earn rewards through their VIP program, which returns value based on how much you play. This works similarly to rakeback but is structured as bonuses and points.

How much rake does Bovada take?
Bovada’s rake is generally in line with other major poker sites. Cash games typically take a small percentage of each pot, while tournaments include fees in the buy-in. The exact amount depends on the stakes and format you’re playing.

Is Bovada Poker worth it without rakeback?
Many players still find Bovada worth it because of its softer competition. Since the player pool includes more casual players, it can be easier to maintain a higher win rate compared to tougher sites. If you look at the bigger picture, it’s definitely still worth it. Plus, the rewards program is good especially as you move up in tiers.

What is the Bovada VIP rewards program?
The VIP program rewards players with points for real-money play. These points can be redeemed for bonuses, giving players a way to earn back a portion of the rake they generate over time. Each time you log in and play the points start accumulating. Playing cash games is going to generate points a lot quicker especially if you multi table. Also, playing higher stake games will generate more points faster as well.

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