The leader in online poker tournaments
One of the first online poker sites, Poker Stars is currently
number one in
tournament traffic by a wide margin with an exceptional
number and variety of tournaments. No
matter what the time of day, you'll find
plenty of tourneys to choose from - single table, multi-table and
some outstanding heads-up action, as well as satellites for every
major event in the world of poker! Their equally-large
assortment of ring games, with tables from high-stakes to micro
limits makes PokerStars the second
largest internet poker site overall.
The PokerStars software is very attractive, smooth and
simple to use with clean graphics. If you're bored
by the default gold circle you can upload your own player image.
Poker Stars was one of the first sites to allow you to take notes
on other players. It also has a hand history feature and plenty
of statistics for analyzing your play, both
in ring games and in tournaments. Another feature we liked was find
a player -
a handy way to instantly locate your friends online.
Cheating and collusion between players is
a valid concern when playing poker online. Like other
reputable poker sites, Poker
Stars takes a strong stance against online cheating but
takes it one step further than many others by prohibiting and
scanning your computer for certain dodgy programs
(bots, central player databases and programs for sharing hole-card
data between players). Players running these programs will not
be allowed to run the PokerStars client software.
Frequent Poker Stars players will also appreciate
the redeposit bonuses and their attractive VIP program, where you can accumulate
and trade points for merchandise or special VIP tournaments.
| Games offered: |
Texas Hold 'Em (Fixed limit,
No Limit, Pot Limit)
Omaha (Fixed limit, Pot Limit, No Limit)
Omaha Hi Low (Fixed limit, Pot limit, No Limit)
7 Card Stud (Fixed limit only)
7 Card Stud Hi Low (Fixed limit only)
High, medium, low and micro limit tables. No
rake at some micro limit games. Play money tables available for Texas
Hold 'Em only. |
| Promos / Bonuses: |
Re-deposit bonuses, Vip Club,
Promos and special tournaments. Trade Frequent Player
Points for
merchandise and VIP tournaments.
|
| Traffic: |
PokerStars.com has the highest
tournament traffic of any online poker site and the second
highest number of ring game players. Gaining popularity among
European poker players. |
| Competition: |
You'll find players at all
skill levels at Poker Stars. Competition is toughest at the high-limit
ring games and high-stakes sit n go tournaments. Ring game
competition is overall average with many of the other tournaments
being somewhat softer. |
| Software: |
Slick, fast
and responsive with attractive graphics. You can upload your own player image. |
| Features: |
Pro
players - WSOP champions Joe Hachem (2005), Chris Moneymaker
(2003), Greg "Fossilman"
Raymer (2004), author Tom McEvoy and other rising stars of
professional poker can be found playing at PokerStars.
VIP Club, Frequent Player Points - Earn
points and trade them for merchandise and tournaments. Special
tournaments for VIP's
Hand History - See a history of all the
hands you have played.
Player Statistics - See
your ring game statistics instantly. Tournament stats available
by email.
Opponent Notes - One of the first poker
sites to introduce the ability to take and save notes about
other players.
Find A Player - Locate your friends online.
Player to Player Money Transfers - one of the few online poker
sites to support direct player-to-player money transfers. |
| Tournaments: |
Largest number
of tournament players of any online poker site.
Tournament types include regular single and multi-table tournaments,
VIP tournaments, Satellites for the WSOP (World Series of
Poker), WPT (World Poker Tour) and PPT (Professional Poker
Tour), Special promotional tournaments, Freerolls and Sit
'N' Gos. Features the WCOOP (World Championship of Online
Poker).
See
the current tournament schedule >> |
| Deposits: |
NetTeller, eChecks (USA/CA only),
Firepay, Central Coin, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, Solo/Maestro/Switch
(UK), Cashiers Check, Money Order or Bank Draft. |
| Cash-Out: |
eCheck, Firepay, NetTeller, Central
Coin, Switch, Solo, Maestro. |
| Support: |
24/7 email support and online FAQ. |
| The Good: |
Very good
game variety and a huge number of tournaments, including
excellent heads-up games .
No-rake micro limit tables. Award-winning software and an
excellent player loyalty program. |
| The Bad: |
Currently no first-deposit (sign-up)
bonus. Software supports Windows PC only (Mac users can run
it with Virtual PC emulation) |
| The bottom
line: |
PokerStars is a popular
site for online tournament play - and deservedly so! |
| Our Rating: |
 |
|
