PokerStars is known worldwide as one of the best online poker rooms. They currently do not accept players from the USA, however, that is bound to change in the coming months or years. As soon as USA play becomes available on the site, we will update this review. PokerStars is great for seasoned veterans or total beginners. In this in-depth review, you will find out exactly why that is.
Tournaments
PokerStars is the king of online poker tournaments. There is really no disputing that. Whether you are in the mood for a large cash game, prefer a multi-table tourney or like the Sit & Go’s, PokerStars.com has it all. The most popular day for tourneys is Sunday with their infamous “Sunday Million”, however, every single day and night are full of huge guaranteed prize pools at Poker Stars.
Specialty Games
Aside from the regular NL Holdem, Omaha, and Stud (Stars has them all, by the way), there are a few cool specialty poker games that you won’t find anywhere else. PokerStars is home to Zoom Poker, where you play against a pool of players instead of one table at a time. Therefore as soon as you fold your hand, you are immediately taken to another table. As you can imagine, this greatly increases the number of hands you play in an hour, and is a very good option for those of you who have a little bit of impatience.
Stakes
The stakes on PokerStars vary greatly. The lowest games that you will find are $0.02/0.04. So even if you are down to your last dollar, there are still plenty of games to play. The maximum limits on the high end are $1000/$2000, so the high-rollers certainly have their place on this site too. PokerStars has the most players online at any given time on a consistent basis.
Deposit Options
Compatibility
Live Events
Another thing that PokerStars.com does better than anybody else is live tournaments. They have exclusive deals with many of the top live circuits including the EPT, LAPT and WSOP. Every single day presents another opportunity to win a ticket, airfare and spending money for an epic land based poker tournament. Thousands of people win these prize packages every month on PokerStars, and you can get into the lower satellites with FPP (frequent player points).
Withdraw Times
The time that it takes you to get your money off PokersStars varies greatly depending on both the cash out option and your country of residence. That being said, some of the options are extremely fast to cash out. You can see your money in as little as minutes to hours in some cases. In addition to the deposit options outlined above, you can cash out with direct bank transfer, check and wire transfer cash outs.
Software and User Experience
The Poker Stars software is the best in the business, with countless features for even the pickiest player. From customizable themes and settings to the most robust lobby in the world, PokerStars really shines with the software experience. They have been in the business for many years, and there are few people out there who will have any problems with the software.
If you love to play more than one table at once, Pokerstars is the place. You can play many different tables at the same time, while resizing them all perfectly to fit your screen. The software does a superb job of keeping you informed of what game needs your attention immediately.
Ownership
PokerStars was recently acquired by Amaya for $4.9 billion. They are expected to allow US players at some point in the future.
Customer Service
The customer service at PokerStars is really great. You can only e-mail them at [email protected], however, if the ticket requires a phone call they will initiate one immediately. Even though there is no live chat or phone number to call, the Pokerstars.com support is still top-tier. They have a large and knowledgeable staff on hand 24/7 for all of your needs.
Traffic
In terms of traffic volume, PokerStars is the largest online poker site by far. It really doesn’t matter what time of day or night it is, you are going to find players at the stakes you want to play. They often have over 200,000 players online at any given time, with literally thousands of tournaments starting around the clock every single day. Since they are an international site, even if it is 4am your time, it will be prime time in another country. It really is a beautiful thing.
Loyalty Program
All PokerStars players are automatically placed in the VIP Club, where you can score free cash, tourney entries and gifts. They VIP program works on levels, with the higher levels offering better benefits to players. Basically, the more you play, the better benefits you will get. You start off at Bronze Star and can go all the way up to the pinnacle: Supernova Elite.
While playing, you earn FPPs (frequent player points). They can be used for cash rewards, tournament tickets, live tourney entries and all sorts of gifts and collectibles. It is certainly considered one of the top online poker room loyalty programs, and anyone can understand the process in minutes.
It is fair to say that if you have never given PokerStars a try, you are probably pretty new to the online poker scene. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because PokerStars is the most beginner friendly site by far. You can start at stakes as low as you like and work your way up to the big leagues. Not many other online poker rooms can offer non-stop ring game and tournament action 24/7 either. Join today and collect your exclusive PokerStars bonus.
Frequently asked questions
What are your alternative choices when it’s time to choose a legal poker room that is known worldwide? We know you may need some help sifting through the pros and cons that make a site valuable. Known for their tournaments, PokerStars is a widely popular and high rated site. We know you have loads of choices in dropping your “A” game in top rated poker sites, which is why your frequently asked questions are now answered to help guide you to the best table.
Can I play PokerStars in the US?
No, they do not currently accept players from the USA.
Will this change in the future?
They are expecting to allow US players at some point in the future.
What are the best alternatives?
Great other sites for US players to enjoy include Full Flush Poker, BET Online Poker, Sportbook.com, or even Americas Cardroom.
Are they a good option for non-US players?
Yes, they’re a great option for non-US players because they host large cash games, multi table tournaments, specialty games, and they have every night filled with guaranteed prize pools or varied stakes. They’re also well known for their live tournaments, which is always a great perk because they hold exclusive deals with top live circuits. Also, they accept a wide range of deposit options.
Do they have a good game variety?
Yes, their game variety is unique from their large cash games, to their multi table tourneys, Sit & Go’s, and all the traditional poker games we love. Home to the infamous Zoom Poker, there are several games on PokerStars that you won’t find anywhere else.
How quickly do they payout?
Some payouts are known to be quicker than others based on the residing country of the player or the cash out option they choose. Certain types of payout methods can be as short as minutes to hours depending on the type.
Do they offer mobile play?
Yes, they offer mobile play for iPhone and Android.
Can I play on a Mac?
Yes, Mac players are supported.
Do they have an app?
Yes, they have mobile apps available for Android and iPhone.
Do they have good daily traffic?
Yes, they host the largest poker site by a long shot. There are always players available at any time of the day all around the world. Over 200,000 players playing at various times means you will always see a table with the stakes you want to play at.
Are they rigged?
No – PokerStars is independently tested and vetted and is a safe place to play poker online.