| Poker Stars | | TOTAL SITE RATING: |   7.6875 | | Ease Of Competition: | 7.5 | | Bonus/Promotions: | 8 | | Software Package: | 8.25 | | Rake/Cashouts/Cust.Service: | 7 |
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Poker Stars
Public Statement
Pokerstars Player's account balances are held in segregated accounts and not used for any operational expenses. These segregated accounts are managed by a leading european bank. These arrangements ensure that Pokerstars can at all times fullfill its obligations toward US players and will provide further reassurance that players' funds are always secure at Pokerstars.
Overview
PokerStars is the market leader in online poker tournaments and ring game traffic. Despite its huge size, it is still growing at a quick rate. Poker Stars has the unique distinction of sponsoring three of the last four World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winners: Chris Moneymaker, 2003; Greg Raymer, 2004; and Joseph Hachem, 2005. In 2006, the site sent 300+ players to the WSOP in various events.
Ease of Competition
The competition at the upper stakes games at Poker Stars is fairly strong, both at ring games and tournaments. Many players wanting to compete at the WSOP come to compete here and the tournament qualifiers are especially fierce and heavily trafficked. But the site is one of the faster growing, which means it has a strong influx of new players at lower stakes ring games and tournaments and some of the most inexperienced competition at those levels.
Bonuses and Promotions
In a current promotion, Poker Stars is giving new players a 100% bonus up to $50. This is a nice promotion as Poker Stars normally offers no sign up bonus whatsoever.
This startup bonus is actually much easier to attain if you deposit less but is doable in either case.
Example 1 - You have a pending 100% bonus with a $25 max and a 5 FPP requirement. If you made a $25 deposit ($25 bonus) you would need to earn 125 Base FPPs (5 x 25) to release the bonus.
Example 2 - You have a pending 100% bonus with a $50 max and a 10 FPP requirement. If you made a $50 deposit ($50 bonus) you would need to earn 500 Base FPPs (10 x 50) to release the bonus.
Exclusive to AllOnlinePokerSites.com players, you can expect to get re-load bonuses on a regular basis. While some freerolls are regularly provided on the site, additional freerolls will be awarded to AllOnlinePokerSites.com players. Simply download the software using this link to Poker Stars or any of the banners or buttons on this page.
PokerStars is the founder of the WCOOP, or World Championship of Online Poker, which is a series of online tournaments that, combined, pay out over $3,000,000. Pokerstars also holds its own WPT event at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas every January. Though PartyPoker has a wider variety limit games available, PokerStars is considered the online poker tournaments leader. The site also sponsors a VIP Club, where members can earn consumer goods including: iPods, high-resolution computer monitors, travel packages, and more. One primary current promotion is a 5 billionth hand competition, where big money is awarded anyone in hand #5,000,000,000.
Poker Software
Poker Stars software is top end of the industry. The software has special tournament features, including: It ensures that there is an even balance of tables for the duration of the tournament; and it prevents the tactical slowing down of the game to avoid play as the money spots get in reach.The player has a great overview of his or her stand in the tournament relative to all other players. PokerStars was the first to introduce note support on other players and also boasts one of the better playing statistics functions. The lobby information includes view flop percentages, etc. If there was one thing we did not like, it was the smallness of the cards. But if you are not multi-tabling, you can just maximize, which gives you an excellent complete screen look.
Rake/Cashouts/Customer Support
While the high limit game rake is quite attractive, the rake at low and micro stakes games is above the industry average.
Cash out options: NETeller, FirePay, CentralCoin and eCheck.
PokerStars has a strong European customer base and customer support available in many languages. If you were to encounter a problem at PokerStars, they offer email customer services at support@pokerstars.com
Games Offered
Texas Holdem, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo
Ring Games
Peak Hour Traffic: 12,000-13,000
Fixed Limit Stakes: $ 0.02/$0.04 to $100/$200
Pot Limit/No Limit Blinds Stakes: $0.01-$0.02 up to $25-$50
Tournaments
Peak Hour Traffic: 100,000-110,000
Types Offered: Single Table and Multi-Table Texas Holdem
Tournament Buy-Ins: From $1 to $5000
Minimum Deposit: $25
Our Recommendation: This is a can't miss tournament play poker room and its all-around good everywhere else as well.
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