PokerStars Review 2024

PokerStars is the second most popular poker room in the world. Beginners and experienced poker players, PokerStars attracts high game traffic, a wide range of tables and tournaments, good reputation, interesting promotions and profitable bonuses. PokerStars offers to play for free and for money with real opponents. The modern application is the benchmark software in online gambling and works on computers and mobile devices.

Pros
  • Integrity and reliability
  • Regular bonuses and promotions
  • Great poker software
  • Daily Freerolls for all poker players
Cons

PokerStars Live Трафик


Today Online
3304
-3.75%
Average Online
3440

The room began operating in September 2001, offering tables with play money. Three months later, users around the world were able to download PokerStars to play for real money. In 2006, the room became the leading poker site after Party Poker left the U.S. market. In 2009 and 2013 it was included in the Guinness Book of Records for organizing the largest online poker tournaments.

Since 2012, the room stopped accepting residents of the U.S. and several other countries where online gambling is prohibited. It subsequently reopened in some states and European poker enclaves. In 2015, the site was bought by Stars Group, which also acquired the FullTilt Poker

Registration at PokerStars

Players from Russia need to register in the poker client – on your PC or mobile device. You need to click “Registration” and fill in data:

  • Country of residence
  • E-mail – later it is necessary to confirm it
  • Nickname – is a login and is displayed at the tables during the game. It cannot be changed
  • Password to enter the account

The specified data are checked in the process of profile verification by passport photo. Poker Room conducts identity verification selectively and usually at the first withdrawal of money.

How to start playing at PokerStars

After registering, users can start playing PokerStars for real money on their PC or mobile device. It is allowed to use both versions of the client with one Stars account. The room offers the following types of games:

  • Play Money. They cannot be exchanged for real money or bought. Deposit is not required.
  • For real money – it is necessary to deposit the account with an e-wallet or a bank card. New players, when making a deposit receive a choice of instant or deferred bonus.

Having chosen the type of game, you can start searching for suitable offers in the poker client lobby. The following poker formats are available:

  1. Cash tables – a player can enter and exit the game at any time with a winnings.
  2. MTT tournaments – start on a schedule. Must place to win an award.
  3. Sit & Go tournaments – start as soon as all seats are filled. Prize amounts are known before the event starts.
  4. Spin&Go – Single-table tournaments with a random prize pool;
  5. Tempest – A discipline in which poker players may only go all-in or fold;
  6. Grand Tour – Fast tournaments with increasing rewards for knocking out opponents.

Poker disciplines

Texas Hold’em and Omaha are the main disciplines, but Pokerstars also offers good conditions for playing exotic poker in all formats. You can find thousands of playing tables at any time, on any day. Betting ranges are designed for beginners and experienced players with large bankrolls. In a separate section of the lobby is fast poker, in which there is no need to wait for the end of the deal after resetting the cards – there is an automatic transfer to a new table.

Disciplines at the cash tables and limits:

Poker Type Min Limits Max Limits
Holdem 0,01 / 0,02$ 1000 / 2000$
Zoom Holdem 0,01 / 0,02$ 50 / 100$
Omaha 0,01 / 0,02$ 200 / 400$
Omaha Hi-Low 0,10 / 0,25$ 5 / 10$
Zoom Omaha 0,01 / 0,02$ 50 / 100$
Zoom Omaha Hi-Low 0,01 / 0,02$ 50 / 100$
Stud, Razz 0,04 / 0,08$ 100 / 200$
Draw 0,10 / 0,20$ 30 / 60$
Lowball 0,10 / 0,20$ 1000 / 2000$
Mixed Games 0,10 / 0,20$ 1000 / 2000$
6+ Holdem (Short Deck) 0,02$ 200$

PokerStars Traffic

PokerStars is the second most popular room in the world, second only to GGNetwork. The average number of players at the cash tables is 7,000 on regular days and 8,000 on weekends. Peak hours are from 19:00 to 24:00 CET  (15,000 to 20,000 users play).

Including the participants of the tournaments, the poker room has an average of 55 000 people playing at the same time. On weekends during the major weekly events and online tournaments there are up to 200,000 users at the tables.

Welcome Bonus

New players are offered two types of bonus. The player has the right to refuse and not to participate in the promotion. Only one offer can be used:

  • Welcome bonus of 100% of the deposit amount, but no more than $600. It is given not only for the first deposit, but also for the next two, made within 60 days. The money is credited to the bonus account and requires wagering. When playing for real money, the user earns wagering points for rake (room commission). For every 200 points a $10 bonus is credited to the account. The entire amount can be wagered within 90 days. The promotion allows you to earn 28% rakeback.
  • 30$ Free Play – is issued for a deposit of $20 and more. Wagering is not required. Credited in installments of $5 over six days – of which $10 is awarded in cash and $20 in tickets to Spin & Go tournaments with a buy-in of $1. Spin & Go tournaments are a chance to win up to $10,000.

How to install the PokerStars client

To download the client from the official site of the poker room and play PokerStars for money you can use your computer, cell phone with Android or iOS.

On Windows

Download the Pokerstars client file from the PokerStars.com site, double click it in your “Downloads” folder and select “Run” from the security prompt on Windows and follow the installer instructions. In the window that opens, you need to configure the language, select a folder for the program and the location of shortcuts. Once the installation is complete, you can launch the client – the update download will start, which may take a few minutes

iOS

You can only install the program on iOS devices from the AppStore. The iOS version differs in that it allows you to play at 5 tables simultaneously against 4 on Android.

Android

To download Poker Stars with the ability to play for real money, you need to go to the website PokerStars and download the installation file. Then you need to run the installation manually.

Gaming functionality of the client
The poker site provides functional, safe and convenient gaming software. The software is the best in the world. The client includes a wide range of features for beginners and professional players. Convenient lobby in Russian provides quick search of tables and tournaments, and different settings allow to make game management more comfortable.

Trackers Support

The room allows the use of third-party software during the game, which does not provide a clear advantage to the poker player and tips. Popular trackers work with the poker client:

  • Hand2Note (version 3.2.0 and newer)
  • Hold’em Manager 2 and 3
  • Poker Tracker 4

Before using other programs and software versions, it is necessary to check the list of allowed software with the room’s technical support.

Multitabling and hotkeys

You can open up to 4 tables in cash games and up to 24 tables in MTT. Their automatic layout on the screen is available. User can use suggested templates, create and save your own. The game is available for several monitors. Comfortable multitabling is provided by setting hotkeys for 17 actions and highlighting of active tables.

Appearance

The user can customize the design for all tables and individual poker formats. There are 5 ready-made themes and the possibility to set your own. Functionality allows you to choose the size and type of cards, the color of the cloth and the background.

Additional customization settings:

  • Choice of favorite location
  • Speed and quality of graphics
  • Chat settings
  • Four-color deck
  • Version for the visually impaired
  • Sound control

Security

The login (nickname or email) and password are used to log into the account. The user can additionally protect the profile and set authentication by SMS, RSA security token or PIN-code. The login settings are set on the “My Stars” tab in the “Account details” section. The player can hide himself from the search, and opponents will not be able to find him at the tables in automatic mode.

Freerolls, Tournaments & Live Events

PokerStars tournaments are always full, with regular tournaments in a variety of formats throughout the day.

The schedule includes:

  • Daily events with buy-ins starting at $0.11 – several dozen take place every hour. On weekends, the prize guarantees get higher
  • Weekly tournaments – held on certain days once a week. The biggest regular series is on Sundays and includes the Sunday Million, with a $109 buy-in and the largest prize pool of $1,000,000
  • Online Championships (Winter Series, WCOOP, SCOOP, Turbo Series, Micro Millions) are held once a year. The prize funds reach $130,000,000
  • Satellites – tickets to events with cash prizes
  • Freerolls – free tournaments with prizes in the form of tickets and money

Sit & Go format is represented by a wide range of single and multi-table events with buy-ins ranging from $0.02 to $5000. Their special Spin and Go format offers the chance to win up to 10,000 buy-ins – worth between $0.25 and $500

PokerStars hosts major live events around the world:

  • PokerStars Players NL Hold’em Championship – available to players with a Platinum Pass certificate ($25,000 value). The winner receives up to $5 million
  • EPT and EPT Open (European Poker Tour) – Held in European cities
  • APPT – Asia Pacific Poker Tour
  • BSOP – Brazilian Poker Series

How to play at PokerStars for free

Every user can download the PokerStars client for free on their computer, phone and play without investing. It is offered not only to have fun at the tables with bets in conditional chips, but also to earn money by participating in promotions and freerolls.

No deposit bonus

After registering, you need to check your email regularly. From announcements of promotions and news, you can find out the Star Code, a promo code that allows you to get a no deposit bonus in the form of tickets, money. Additional gifts are given by the poker school PokerStars – promotions are held every week. No registration is required at the school.

Join freerolls

Freerolls are taking place every day and can be found under tournaments. Most events are entered by password or ticket, but there are also regular public draws. During the online series, the room draws tickets to championship events – everyone can participate without making a deposit.

PokerStars Mobile

The mobile client is a great way to stay connected with poker. It can be used alone or to alternate between PC and mobile from the same account. This is the best mobile software in online poker. Download Poker Stars to play for real money from the official site of the room.

Features:

  • Support for horizontal and vertical screen orientation
  • Gesture control
  • Multi-tabling at 4 tables on Android and 5 on iOS
  • No restrictions on limits and poker disciplines
  • Control panel customization
  • Ability to play while holding the phone in one hand

Deposit and withdrawal

There is no deposit fee for the account. The minimum deposit – $5. The minimum withdrawal – 10$ to electronic payment systems and 100$ to bank cards. Amounts lower and equal to the deposit are withdrawn instantly. Other transactions are processed from a few minutes to 2 days. Money to bank cards are deposited within 2-7 days.

Available deposit and withdrawal methods:

  • VISA, Mastercard, Maestro
  • Webmoney
  • Skrill
  • Neteller
  • MuchBetter
  • ecoPayz

PokerStars Rakeback

In September 2021, the poker room updated its loyalty program, increasing the average payout in chests and the maximum possible rakeback percentage (up to 65%). All players now receive 100 bonus points per $1 rake.

The system of opening chests remains the same, but it is easier to climb the levels. For example, to open the starting blue one you need $3.33 in rake. On average, $0.50 falls out of it. This is 15% rakeback.

Level Blue Bronze Silver Gold Diamond Black
Reward $0.50 $1.50 $5 $20 $75 $250
Rakeback 15% 16% 17.5% 18.5% 20% 25%
Monthly Poker Challenges Cashback 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40%
Total Rakeback 55% 56.5% 57.5% 58.5% 60% 65%
Reward Points Required 333 935 2850 10,800 37,500 100,000
Number of Chests to Move Up 5 5 7 7 10 N/A

Customer Support

Technical support is provided by email. Specialists can write directly to the e-mail – support@Starsaccount.com or the feedback form in the poker client. It is necessary to specify the subject and description of the problem, so that the letter will be delivered to the right specialist.