CoinPoker rake-free poker launched in March 2026 alongside a new software client and mobile app, giving players a full month of rake-free cash games and tournaments while the platform simultaneously signed two new poker ambassadors, Abby Merk and Alejandro "Papo MC" Lococo.
What Rake-Free Poker Actually Means on CoinPoker
Throughout March 2026, CoinPoker returned all cash game rake and tournament fees back to players daily, structured across two distinct phases. In the first half of the month, players could earn 100% flat rakeback credited to their accounts at 08:00 UTC each day. In the second half, CoinPoker shifted the format to Splash Pot cash drops, CoinRaces leaderboards, and a Level Up series of tournaments featuring boosted prize pools and refunded buy-ins, making tournament participation effectively free through March 31.
The Level Up Tournament Series
The Level Up series debuted alongside the new software, introducing the platform's first multi-day tournament format along with features like bubble protection, blind rollback, and final table deals. These events ran in parallel with CoinPoker's regular freerolls and multi-table tournaments, adding extra value to existing prize pools rather than replacing them.
New Ambassadors: Abby Merk and Papo MC
Joining CoinPoker's existing roster, which already includes three-time Triton Series champion Mario Mosböck and WSOP Online main event champion Benjamin "Bencb" Rolle, are Abigail "Abby Poker" Merk and Alejandro "Papo MC" Lococo. Merk is a US-based, award-winning poker content creator from Chicago, ranked among the top female players in Illinois, with a background in volunteering, tutoring, and mentorship that extends into training women in leadership skills through poker strategy.
Papo MC's Poker and Music Background
Lococo, known professionally as Papo MC, is a freestyle rapper with more than $15 million in live tournament earnings, currently ranked the #2 player in Argentina behind Nacho Barbero, and holds a World Series of Poker bracelet. His dual background in music and high-stakes poker gives CoinPoker a crossover ambassador with reach into both communities.
What's New in the App and Software Client
The new client introduces in-built player stats powered by PokerIntel, additional game formats including PLO6, All in or Fold, and Bomb Pot, alongside features like EV cashouts, interactive emojis, and throwables at the tables. Standard formats such as No Limit Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and PLO5 remain available, now presented through an improved lobby and table interface.
Early Traction for the New Software
Following the rollout, CoinPoker reported record traffic that rivaled established competitor GGPoker, with more than 7,000 players online on launch day. The rake-free promotion period was also covered by industry outlets including PokerStrategy and Esports Insider, giving the launch visibility beyond CoinPoker's existing user base.
Crypto-native gaming platforms courting both content creators and high-stakes players echo the same audience-building strategy seen in BC.GAME's Crypto Fight Night sponsorship, both leaning on recognizable competitive talent to drive platform visibility.
Glossary
- Rake: The fee a poker platform takes from cash game pots or tournament buy-ins, functioning as its primary revenue source.
- Rakeback: A promotion or ongoing benefit that returns a portion, or in this case all, of collected rake back to the player.
- Bubble protection: A tournament feature that protects players near the payout cutoff line from being eliminated without receiving a min-cash.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute gambling or investment advice. Online poker involves financial risk and may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. Confirm current promotions and terms directly through official CoinPoker announcements.
