Summary
Poker Stars has a lot of things going for it, first and foremost being the largest online poker room in the world in regards to active player traffic, averaging more than 175,000 at peak hours. Operating on its own private network, without the use of any shared player base, that is truly an astounding accomplishment. The next exceptional aspect would be the Poker Stars tournament line-up worth several million guaranteed every week, including the $1-million Sunday Million and $500k Sunday Warm-Up. The game variety is awesome, going well beyond the standard diversity, with stakes ranging from micro-limits to high roller action. Even the privately developed software platform has far surpassed that of most online poker rooms.Software
Poker Stars runs on its own privately developed software platform, equipped with lots of features and customization capabilities. Not only does it look great, the Poker Stars software is extremely stable, lightning fast and highly functional. Continuous updates only serve to make the functionality even better for the massive player volume at Poker Stars. It does require a download to play at the online poker room, but the 2007 release of Mac/Linux-friendly software platform eliminated any previous compatibility issues.
The Poker Stars Lobby supplies all vital statistics, including viewed-flop percentage, hands per hour and average pot size. Highlighted games show the seated players and their respective chip stacks, as well as players waiting to sit. Note taking and hand data are available during play, with hand data available upon request for further analysis. Players can request a recall of the last 200 hands. Stats are kept separate for different game types. The Poker Stars software is even compatible with just about every poker odds calculator and analysis software available today.
Multi-tablers will find the Poker Stars software to be very accommodating, allowing up to 8 multi-table cash games and unlimited SNG and MTT tournaments. The player can customize how the tables are viewed and what position he’d prefer to sit in, so that it always comes up the same the next time he sits at a table.
Bonuses / Promotions
Poker Stars is currently offering new members a 100% bonus up to $50 on the first deposit using the Bonus Code “First2008”. To earn the bonus, collect FPPs (frequent player points) equal to 10 times the bonus ($50 = 500 FPP) by playing raked ring games and paying tournament fees. If the requirements were low enough already, players have a full 6 months to complete point accumulation for the bonus.
Valuable leaderboard tournaments are held for Sit’n’Go tournaments, Multi-Table Tournaments and other varieties, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for the top leaders.
It’s not yet too late to win a seat in the 2008 World Series of Poker at Poker Stars, with WSOP Satellites and even Freerolls ongoing until the end of June. Other satellite tournaments can reward players with a seat in the APPT (Asia Pacific Poker tour) and LAPT (Latin American Poker Tour).
Game Variety
Another big draw for Poker Stars players is the highly diverse game variety that includes Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, 5 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, Razz and H.O.R.S.E. Games vary between Pot Limit, No Limit and Fixed Limit betting structures, with heads-up, short-handed and full-table action available. Free play is an option. Real-money players can choose from micro-limits of $.01/$.02 and $.02/$.04, up to high stakes games of $100/$200.
Tournaments
As mentioned above, Poker Stars has possibly the best poker tournament schedule in the business, in regards to variety and profitability. 24/7/365, valuable tournaments are always ongoing and upcoming. Buy-ins start as low as $1, ranging up into the hundreds. The most lucrative tournaments are held every Sunday, including the Poker Stars Sunday Million Guaranteed and the $500k Sunday Warm-Up. Poker Stars recently changed its Sunday Million buy-in so that it costs $215 ($200+$15) each and every Sunday, instead of upping it to $500 on the last Sunday of each month.
If you’ve ever wanted to claim a seat in the World Series of Poker, but couldn’t afford to shell out the $10k direct buy-in (like most of us), it’s not too late to win your way to Vegas at Poker Stars. 2008 WSOP Satellites will be running through June 30, and WSOP Freerolls until June 21.
Support
Poker Stars employs a superb team of customer support representatives that are as friendly as they are knowledgeable. Since support is only available via email, and with such a massive player base, you wouldn’t expect the response to be as fast as it is.
Payment Methods
Poker Stars accepts players from all over the world, including US players.
Deposit Methods: Visa and MasterCard (Credit, Gift or PrePaid), Visa Delta, Visa Electron, Diners Club, Solo, Maestro, ELV, ClickandBuy, Moneybookers, NETeller, Paysafecard, Web Money, Online Bank Transfer, Local Bank Transfer, Cashier’s Check, Bank Draft and Money Order.
Withdrawal Methods: Visa, Solo, Maestro, NETeller, Moneybookers, ClickandBuy, Web Money, Direct Bank Transfer and Check.