PokerStars Room Review
PokerStars.com Welcomes U.S. Players! | |||
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Launched in 2001, PokerStars was one of the first online poker sites to start offering play at real money tables. Since that time, PokerStars has grown into the largest online poker room today with a massive player base. PokerStars is often the standard by which other poker rooms are measured. PokerStars gives out more seats in the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour, and the European Poker Tour than any other online poker site! In fact, in the 2006 WSOP main event 20% of the players there won their seat online through PokerStars' satellite tournaments; in 2003, 2004, and 2005 the winners of the WSOP came from PokerStars (Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem). PokerStars is best known for having the largest and best poker tournaments online today and for big payouts to their players, such as PokerStars’ weekly $1,000,000 prize pool tournament on Sundays. PokerStars also hosts the most prestigious and largest tournament series online today: The PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP). In 2007, PokerStars hosted 23 events and guaranteed $15,000,000, eventually awarding more than $24,000,000 in prizes. |
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PokerStars is the largest online poker room in the world!
Another aspect of PokerStars that players might like to know about is "Team PokerStars." Team PokerStars is a group of players that endorse the site and play in live poker tournaments on behalf of PokerStars. Sometimes you can also watch professional players like Chris Moneymaker, Daniel Negreanu, and Barry Greenstei as they play online at PokerStars. Other Team PokerStars players include Greg Raymer, Tom McEvoy, Daniel Negreanu, Isabelle Mercier, Lee Nelson, Joe Hachem, and Evelyn Ng.
Software
As a standalone online poker room, PokerStars is the only brand to offer their poker software. PokerStars’ software is known as first-rate: the top of the line in the poker industry. It is fast, stable, reliable, and user-friendly. Players can easily access vital statistics, fully customize the lobby background and table, and upload their own avatar.
The lobby is easy to navigate and well-laid out. You can find vital information such as notes on other players and statistics on the percentages of action in different hands here.
The tables offered at PokerStars are 10-max (for Limit and some Sit-n-Go’s), 9-max full ring, 6-max shorthanded, and the new heads up. Advanced multi-tabling is supported at up to eight cash games at a time and at an unlimited amount of tournaments. You can resize the table windows to any size you want, and it will save the window’s size and location so you only have to set it once. This is especially nice if you have multiple tables open. You also have the option to tile and cascade your tables for total customization!
You can also change the look and feel of your table from the default PokerStars theme. You can use one of the existing themes available from PokerStars, or you can download or create your own. These themes can change the background, deck, and style of the table.
PokerStars Lobby
PokerStars is very hands-on with their software, regularly providing updates and improvements to it, including the recent addition of a Mac version of their software. PokerStars is also currently testing beta versions of the software in German and Spanish, with other languages soon to follow.
In summary, PokerStars software is safe, secure, and fair. PokerStars is a registered legal business located in the Isle of Man, in the British Isles and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada. PokerStars’ random number generator (RNG) has also been audited by two independent organizations: BMM International and Cigital, Inc.
PokerStars Game Table
Hand History
For information on how to get your hand history from PokerStars.com for uploading to our site, click here.
Traffic
The high number of players at PokerStars.com ensures that players looking for any kind of game whether it be a ring game, tournament, freeroll, or Sit-n-Go, will find it. PokerStars also offers varying limits from micro limits to high dollar. They have a massive amount of Sit-n-Go's including heads up, 1 table, 2 table, & 3 table tournaments. They have the largest selection of multi-table tournaments on the net, with many of the tournaments having huge prize pools. As of April 2008 real-money player statistics show 155,000 ring-game players and 22,500 tournament players at peak hours, so there is always someone to play against!
Competition
The games at PokerStars are fairly tight, especially at the higher limit ring games. However, due to PokerStars massive traffic and constant supply of new players, ring games have become a little looser. You should have no problem finding suitable competition for whatever your skill level.
The player quality at the tournaments is softer than ring games, though the competition at the bigger buy-in tournaments is tough. As has been discussed earlier in this review, PokerStars is an online tournament leader and attracts novice players as well as experts. While PokerStars may not have as many fish as other poker sites, PokerStars is a good place for players to sharpen their skills and improve their game.
Game Variety
PokerStars offers Texas Hold'em with No Limit, Pot Limit, and Fixed Limit. They also offer Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7-Card Stud and 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo Razz, 5 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, H.O.R.S.E., and H.O.S.E. All games are offered in varying limit amounts. Limit Hold’em game stakes range from $0.02/$0.04 to $1000/$2000, while their No Limit Hold’em game stake range from blinds of $0.01/$0.02 to blinds of $100/$200. Full-table games are available at PokerStars, as well as short-handed and heads-up tables.
PokerStars offers quality daily guaranteed tournaments and Sit-n-Go's, as well as many freeroll tournaments. PokerStars is also one of the few sites that constantly runs Sit-n-Go's for games other than Texas Hold'em.
Bonuses
Sign Up Bonuses
New players that sign up at PokerStars will receive a great cash bonus. PokerStars will match 100% of your first deposit up to $50 dollars (you deposit $25, they match $25, you deposit $50, they match $50, etc.). To earn this bonus, you will simply need to play on PokerStars and earn Frequent Player Points. Click here to get your cash bonus now!
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is a bonus that a poker room gives to its existing players. Usually, the reload bonus amount is a percentage of what the player deposits. PokerStars usually offers reload bonuses every few months.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP & CLAIM YOUR CASH BONUS NOW!
Loyalty Rewards & Promotions
PokerStars also has some of the best promotions in online poker. Their loyalty reward program for frequent players, their special guaranteed tournaments, their multitude of satellite tournaments, their live poker events, and their excellent VIP program make PokerStars worth checking out! Read below for more information about these promotions and reward programs.
Frequent Player Points
PokerStars has one of the best loyalty programs online with their Frequently Player Points (FPPs). You earn Frequent Player Points as you play in real-money games. FPPs can be used in the PokerStars points shop to purchase merchandise, electronics, gift cards, and more. FPPs can also be turned into cash or used to play in certain tournaments.
VIP Club
PokerStars has a VIP club that rewards players for continued play on PokerStars. As you play you earn Frequent Player Points (FPPs), which makes you eligible for VIP rewards. As you accumulate FPPs, your VIP level increases and the more rewards you receive. The VIP levels are: Bronze Star, Silver Star, Gold Star, Platinum Star, Supernova, and then Supernova Elite, which is the highest VIP level.
Some of the perks to being in the VIP club include being able to earn FPPs up to five times as faster, using FPPs to purchase merchandise such as Ipods, computer monitors, and travel packages. There are also freeroll events and many other giveaways for VIP members. Supernova VIP members can use their FPPs to buy in directly to satellite tournaments such as the Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure, the European Poker Tour, and the main event at the World Series of Poker.
If as a VIP member you win a live poker tournament seat at PokerStars, they will also pay and provide for your accommodations if you choose to wear their logo apparel in the event.
PokerStars Multi-Table Tournament Leader Board
The PokerStars Multi-Table Tournament Leader Boards highlight the best poker tournament players on PokerStars. Every time you place in the top 15% of a regular multi-table tournament, you will be awarded Tournament Leader Board (TLB) points. The amount of points varies depending on the buy-in of the tournament, the number of entries, and the position in which you finish.
PokerStars has three different Tournament Leader Boards: Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly. The TLB points you accumulate count towards these boards. Players that appear on these leader boards are also eligible for cash and prizes.
Battle of the Planets (SNG Leader Board)
Battle of the Planets is a weekly Sit-n-Go leader board competition that gives players the chance to win part of over $3,000,000 in cash prizes.The leader boards are separated into eight divisions, with each division named after a planet in the solar system. Everyone can take part in the competition, no matter how high or low the stakes you play. Each planet represents a different range of buy-ins, from Mercury ($1-$2.99) to Jupiter ($300+).
Each planet division has its own weekly prize pool, distributed evenly between the two Leader Boards. This gives everyone a chance to win some big cash prizes, no matter your experience or the size of your bankroll.
2008 World Series of Poker Satellites
At PokerStars you have more chances to win a seat at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event than on any other online poker site. In addition, PokerStars is promoting a WSOP Million Dollar Giveaway in 2008 where PokerStars is giving away $1,000,000 worth of World Series packages which include the chance to qualify for the WSOP for free. PokerStars is giving away 80 free seats to the WSOP for those that qualify in their WSOP Million Dollar Giveaway freeroll tournaments!
PokerStars Sunday Million
PokerStars Sunday Million is the longest running and largest weekly tournament online. Play for at least $1 Million every Sunday at 4:30PM ET. It's $215 to buy in or you can win your entry through smaller buy in tournaments that run every day for as little as $2.
PokerStars Sunday Warm-Up
PokerStars Sunday Warm-Up is a weekly tournament PokerStars offers that has a guaranteed prize-pool of $500,000. Starting at 12:45pm ET on Sundays, this is good for those players who live in European time zones
Customer Service & Support
PokerStars does not offer phone support. They have 24/7 email support. They also have a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page on their website with basic information. The turnaround time on emails to PokerStars is fairly quick--usually in a few hours--and the answers provided by the support team are knowledgeable. The PokerStars staff does their best to fully answer your questions and to help you with any issues you may have. You can contact PokerStars support at the following e-mail address: support@pokerstars.com
PokerStars Deposit & Withdrawal Options
In the table below are the deposit and withdrawal options available to players at PokerStars. U.S. players cannot use all of these options. Below the chart is information about what payment options are available to U.S. players at CakePoker.
| Payment Processor | Deposit Options | Withdrawal Options |
| Local Bank Transfers | Yes | No |
| Cashier’s Check | Yes | No |
| Delta | Yes | No |
| Diners Club | Yes | No |
| Instant eChecks | Yes | Yes |
| Money Order | Yes | No |
| MoneyGram (CashTransfer ExpressPayment) | Yes | No |
| Western Union | Yes | No |
| Visa Electron | Yes | No |
| Check | Yes | Yes |
| MasterCard | Yes | No |
| Visa | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
| Moneybookers | Yes | Yes |
| Paysafecard | Yes | No |
| Solo/Maestro Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Switch | Yes | Yes |
| ClickandBuy | Yes | Yes |
| Online Bank Transfer | Yes | No |
| WebMoney | Yes | Yes |
U.S. Poker Player Deposit & Withdrawal Options for PokerStars.com
Deposits
- Visa or MasterCard Credit/Debit Card - Attempts to deposit this way are about 70% successful for US players (100% for non-US players).
- Instant Poker eChecks - This method (also called instant echecks) can be used by U.S. and Canadian players. This is probably the most popular and easiest way for U.S. customers quickly make deposits at PokerStars. There are no fees for deposits (or withdrawals) and your account is funded immediately from your bank account directly into your PokerStars account. There is a $25 minimum deposit. For more detailed information about instant Poker eChecks, click here
- MoneyGram (CashTransfer ExpressPayment) - U.S. players can make money transfers with MoneyGram. There are thousands of MoneyGram outlets across the nation where you can go and in person send cash directly to your PokerStars account. For more detailed information about MoneyGram's services and fees, click here. PokerStars MoneyGram transfers take about 30 minutes (to arrive and be credited to your account). There is a $50 minimum deposit.
- Western Union - Like MoneyGram, Western Union is an international money transfer service. U.S. Customers can use Western Union to deposit money into thier PokerStars account. You can walk into any one of Western Union's nationwide outlets and make an in person transfer. For more detailed information about Western Union's services and fees, click here. There is a $100 minimum deposit.
- Diners Club International - U.S. players can use their Diners Club card to make instant deposits into their PokerStars accounts. There is no fee. There is a $10 minimum deposit.
- Money Order or Cashier's Check - You can send a money order or cashier's check to PokerStars to make a deposit. PokerStar's accepts bank drafts (official bank checks), cashier's checks, or international money orders in amounts from $100 USD to $5000 USD. If you are sending a post office money order, check that it is negotiable outside of the US. Make sure to use registered or courier mail to send your deposit so you can track it! Also make sure to contact the poker room for complete instructions on how to address your money order or cashier check and for info on where exactly to send it. When I requested this information from Poker Stars they got back to me within a few hours. It is also worth noting that the Poker Stars representative that responded to my email about deposting via money order or cashier's check told me that I could request to be contacted by phone regarding my deposit request if I emailed him my phone number and the best time to call. So if you have any questions or concerns it sounds like you could talk to a live person about this!
- Instant Poker eChecks - This withdrawal method (also called instant echecks) can be used by U.S. and Canadian players. It can take up to ten business days to money to be transferred from your PokerStars account into your bank account. If you have any uncleared eCheck deposits, you will have to wait until they clear (up to ten days) to cashout. As long as your deposited eChecks clear with no problem, there are no fees for using eChecks to withdrawal at PokerStars. For more detailed information about instant Poker eChecks, click here
- Checks - U.S. players can received a paper check in the mail. Checks uner $1000 are delivered by regular mail and should arrive within 15 business days. Checks over $1000 are delivered by courier and should arrive within 7 business days.
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