Pokerstars – In-Depth Review and Welcome Bonuses
PokerStars
8 / 10

PokerStars is a well-established poker platform first launched in 2001. PokerStars is the most popular online poker network operating in the world today. To put the success of this online poker platform into perspective, PokerStars generates more weekly traffic than all of its competitors combined.

PokerStars has a massive user base that stretches across the world, and the site caters to a wide variety of poker players, poker niches and variations of the poker game. Learn more about PokerStars and take a closer look at the network with Poker Loco now!

Pros
  • Huge poker game catalogue
  • Diverse range of poker variations
  • High traffic rates
  • No-Deposit Bonuses & Welcome Bonus
  • Enabled for use on mobile devices
Cons
  • Can freeze user accounts without warning
  • Complaints regarding customer support

User Experience

As the leading online poker network, PokerStars prides itself on providing players with an unbeatable playing experience.

From interface, functionality and design to game content, streaming speeds, payment processing and speed of withdrawals, PokerStars is built for maximum user satisfaction.

The PokerStars platform was crafted with user experience in mind, and the site remains one of the most accessible and enjoyable poker arenas on the web.

PokerStars offers its users an enormous range of games, with every base covered in terms of poker variations. Whatever your poker playing pleasure, you are sure to find some games to suit you at PokerStars.

Just some of the variations of poker available at PokerStars include Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, No Limit 5 Card Draw, No Limit Hold ‘Em, HORSE, Pot Limit Omaha, NLHE/PLO mixed tables, live immersive poker play, multi-table tournaments and much more.

When playing at PokerStars, you will enjoy content from the very best software and gaming providers in the industry including Quickspin, Playson, 2 By 2 Gaming, NetEnt, Nyx Interactive, The Games Company, Playtech, Live 5 Gaming, Microgaming, Blueprint Gaming and iSoftBet.

PokerStars Online Tournaments

PokerStars provides its players with access to an unparalleled range of Multi-Table Poker Tournaments where players enjoy international competition and diverse buy-in values.

Some of the flexible value-limit tournaments that you can participate in at PokerStars include Sunday Million, Thursday Thrill, Omania, Sit & Go Tournaments, Spin & Go Tournaments and Hyper-Turbos.

If you enjoy live and interactive tournament play featuring professional dealer service, put your poker skills to the test and take your game to the big leagues with PokerStars!

PokerStars Welcome Bonuses

PokerStars offers new players a highly competitive welcome bonus and first deposit bonus that reflects its status as the leading online poker network.

To learn more about the specific terms and benefits of the current PokerStars welcome bonus, visit the PokerStars site today.

PokerStars App, Devices and Mobile Experience

As you might expect from the online poker network boasting the highest traffic density, PokerStars is fully mobile compatible.

You can play PokerStars content on desktop, smartphone, tablet or mobile device at the touch of a button. The quality of play or interface is never lowered when translated across different formats.

VIP and Loyalty Programs at PokerStars

As well as generous welcome bonuses and first deposit bonuses, PokerStars also provides its players with a wide range of bonuses and promotions including VIP rewards and incentive-based loyalty programs.

The most notable VIP perk that PokerStars offers its users is exclusive access to VIP Club Live events. These are lavish real-life poker extravaganzas staged all over the world.

Online benefits include VIP Club live table play, exclusive prizes, VIP rewards and much more. The PokerStars VIP rewards program is based on a progressive incentive system in which PokerStars players collect Stars Reward points. The more Stars Reward Points you earn, the better the benefits you will receive.

Once you have collected enough Reward Points to charge up your onscreen progress bar, you will be able to unlock a Chest. Inside, you’ll find exclusive personalised prizes, Stars Reward points and StarsCoins, which you can use to purchase heaps of goodies including tickets to tournaments and live PokerStars events.

Payment Options and Withdrawals

PokerStars offers its members payment options and withdrawal methods that are numerous and flexible.

Some of the enabled payment methods at PokerStars include Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, Online Bank Transfer, PayPal, Moneta, AstroPay Card, Cheque, Direct Bank Transfer, WebMoney, Local/Fast Bank Transfers, Mobile bill, Todito Cash, Ukash and Entropay.

You can make withdrawals from the PokerStars platform using Direct Bank Transfer, Online Bank Transfer, Local/Fast Bank Transfers, Neteller, Paysafecard, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill, Ukash, Todito Cash, AstroPay Card, WebMoney, Mobile bill, Cheque, Entropay, Yandex Money and more.

Withdrawal requests made with PokerStars are typically processed within 48 hours. Here are the PokerStars withdrawal times:

  • Pending Time: 24-48 Hours
  • Cheque: 7-15 days
  • Credit / Debit Card: 3-5 days
  • E-wallet: 24 hours
  • Bank Transfer: 3-7 days

Customer Support

PokerStars offers a comprehensive customer support service to its players. However, the quality of customer service offered by PokerStars is one of the only features that has caused complaint.

While there has been some debate amongst PokerStars players about complaint response and resolution times, the site provides players with a dedicated customer support service nonetheless, and most players haven’t had any issues.

To get in touch with the PokerStars customer support team, you can contact them by email 24/7. PokerStars claims that any complaints will be responded to within an average of 60 minutes.

It is odd that such an established online poker platform does not offer support via telephone, but 24/7 email access and quick response times make up for this shortcoming.

About PokerStars

First launched in September 2001, PokerStars has made a name for itself as one of the biggest and best online poker platforms.

PokerStars generates a staggering amount of traffic each week, with more poker players on PokerStars than every other poker network combined.

In fact, PokerStars actually accounts for over half the online poker traffic generated by western poker sites.

The PokerStars network pulls in an average of 10,000 poker players per week. PokerStars also generates staggeringly high tournament traffic, especially at the weekend, when the platform hosts its most popular knockout tournament events like Sunday Million, Sunday Storm and Saturday Micro.

PokerStars is popular because it is highly accessible, flexible and easy to use. It also boasts a diverse poker game catalogue which includes poker content from industry-leading developers.

The best thing is, it could not be easier to get on board with PokerStars. To register your PokerStars account, you will first need to download an application and follow some easy step-by-step instructions.

Make sure you have a valid ID ready, as PokerStars only accepts forms of identification that are issued by a government. Once you have input some basic personal details and shown your valid identification, you are good to go!

PokerStars is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

PokerStars advocates responsible gambling and safe poker play.

Accepted currencies include Euros, British Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Canadian Dollars.

PokerStars can be enjoyed in English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Icelandic, Norwegian, Ukrainian and Chinese.

Despite its multi-language accessibility, the PokerStars site is restricted in many countries including Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan and Sweden.

Certain countries including Australia face geographical blocks regarding real-money poker play, while players in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and The United States are required to play on individual local PokerStars sites which may not share all of the same features as the widely recognized global network.

To check out the full list of countries with prohibited access and to learn more about how you can play PokerStars in the country where you live, visit the PokerStars FAQ section or get in touch with the customer service team today.

Final Verdict

PokerStars is the #1 poker network for a good reason.

Any poker player would feel at home at PokerStars no matter their gaming limit or poker game of choice. PokerStars stocks an unparalleled range of top-quality poker games, including every major variation of the game.

PokerStars has flexible buy-in limits, meaning that anyone can enjoy the PokerStars experience regardless of their playing budget. Whether you are a high-roller, a low better or just looking to play for fun, PokerStars has got you covered.

The platform features an impressive range of bonuses, VIP perks and rewards to attract new players and keep active users happy and engaged.

PokerStars features fast withdrawal times. However, the speed of your withdrawal processing depends on your chosen withdrawal method.

PokerStars platform accepts enough diverse payment and withdrawal methods to suit your pocket.

The only potential negative point is the minority of members who have complained about the quality of customer support, mainly citing slow response times. However, this is largely anecdotal evidence, and the quality of customer support at PokerStars is still a point of debate amongst online poker players.

To sum up this Poker Loco review of the PokerStars site, PokerStars is an all-encompassing and dedicated poker platform that is well worth the time of any online poker player.

If you like fast-moving, immersive and bustling poker platforms, PokerStars is the poker site for you.