The RSS file is a snapshot of the frontpage. Sometimes 2 points is enough to get onto the frontpage, but not always.

I disagree here Shamiq, from my experience that's not entirely accurate. Typically 4-5 votes makes front page - though yo uare correct, often 2-3 votes is sufficient. Sometimes 2 votes will, but not always - it's more a function (I believe) of how much front page upvoting is going on at the time.

Thanks for the clear up.