Review of Pokerstars

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Deposit Options

Pokerstars are keen to open their doors to anyone from poker minnows to poker sharks and their minimum deposit limit is set to a very modest $10. Deposit options are dependent on the country you reside in and can be found on the site's main website. For US players the following options are available:

eChecks – Deposit and Withdrawal

Visa – Deposit only

MasterCard – Deposit only

Diners Club – Deposit Only

Bank Draft – Deposit only

Checks – Withdrawal only

The deposit options for US players is good and although it is only possible to receive funds through an e-check or physical check this is a small price to pay so you can still play on the site.

Software 

You can't be the premium poker site without having one of the most sophisticated and impressive software packages on the net. While there is nothing exceptionally radical or overly ornate about any of the graphics or features at Pokerstars, the ability to handle the sheer volume of players they receive is a testament to their cutting edge technology. The Pokerstars' table layout set the bench mark for others to follow and their birds-eye-view angle and table dimensions create a table that is easy to read as well as perfect for those long multi-tabling sessions. The cards, background and chips are all customizable and Stars provide their own selection of themes ranging from super simple (using large cards and a few distinct colors) to Renaissance style extravagance.

The look and feel of the lobby is excellent and a player's overview can be as broad or specific as they desire. The cash game lobby allows players to cast an eye over the entire selection of games running or be more specific by selecting the high, medium, low or micro tabs. In addition to this, players can further refine their search and filter the tables to match their particular forte, such as: 1-on-1, 6max, 9max, Turbo, non-turbo, full/ empty tables. This enhanced search function is a natural by-product of the huge amount of games that are running on a daily basis. This is why Pokerstars had to go beyond the norm and construct a lobby that can accommodate their massive client base and enable players to jump feet first into the games of their choice.

Type of Games 

If it's been invented then chances are that Pokerstars will offer it. A huge player pool means a huge variety of tastes and the reason Pokerstars retain their massive volume of punters is because they cater to even the most picky player.

Finding a cash game to suit your needs is like finding a $100 bill in Phil Ivey's pocket, easy. All versions of Hold'em and Omaha are available along with 7 Card Stud (+ Hi/Lo) and the infuriating game of Razz.

5 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw and 2-7 Single Draw are not commonly found on other sites but Stars' diverse player pool means these games run on a regular basis.

Add to this selection, HORSE and HOSE, as well as an 8 game option. This is a truly unique offering which no other site currently spreads and comprises of 8 poker games and is based on the Big Game played at the Bellagio. Games included are: 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Limit Omaha Hi/Lo, Limit Razz, Limit Stud, Limit Stud Hi/Lo, No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha.

Just to complete the full spectrum of games, Stars also offer Badugi for those looking to play something a little different.

There is no site that can match the volume and variety of Sit-n-Gos and MTTs that Stars offer. $1 tournaments are comfortably nestled next to $200 Sunday Majors. The weekly Sunday $1.5 million is by far the largest and most popular tournament on the net and with all the big names in the poker world turning up to play, it's certainly the tournament to play. Couple this with their annual World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) and you've got a veritable online tournament players dream.

Promotions and Bonuses 

The original bonus scheme and, if I'm being truthful, it is probably still the best. Rakeback isn't available at all on Pokerstars but their VIP system gives players a chance to exchange points for cash bonuses which essentially acts as rakeback. While many accuse the system of being weighted in favour of the higher volume players this criticism could be levelled at many of the loyalty schemes in operation. Stars' model has been replicated time and time again across the industry so obviously they must be doing something right. Here's how it works:

Every time you play a hand in a raked game or enter a tournament you are rewarded with a certain number of Frequent Player Points (FPPs) as well as VIP Player Points (VPPs). By accruing VPPs you increase your VIP status and progression up the levels means more benefits. There are six levels that a player can achieve: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Supernova and Supernova Elite. The better your status the more FPPs you can accrue per hand, for example: Silver players will earn 50% more FPPs per hand above the standard Bronze player, whereas a Supernova player will earn 250% more per hand.

These FPPs can be used to purchase a number of items from the FPP store and the more points and better your VIP rating the better gifts you can buy. TVs, books, DVDs and cars are just some of the things you can buy from the store. However, if you already have enough poker branded t-shirts and cuddly toys you can buy-in to a number of different tourneys. Tournament tickets are available for a number of the site's largest guaranteed tourneys, including the Sunday Million, which means you can achieve the ultimate spin-up and parlay a clutch of points into a pocket load of $$$.

Regular reload bonuses, deposit offers and regular points bonanzas and freerolls cap off a lucrative promotions package. 

Customer Support 

Stars' support is second to none with email and phone options as well as live moderators overseeing the games you play. Help staff are always watching the tables for any suspicious or negative activity and a "call moderator" button means that the site is able to stop any problems before they start. This is a unique feature and takes player security and experience to a whole different level. In comparison to other sites the level of customer service is amazing and is just one more top class element to their site.

Summary 

Writing a review on a site that has everything is almost more difficult than writing about a site that has nothing. Trying to say something new about the site is almost impossible because the trail of superlatives is one that has been walked by many writers in the past. Being at the top of the tree is a tough place to be when everyone below you wants to steal your crown. Pokerstars has fended off some very stiff competition for many years and their reign doesn't look set to end anytime soon. Excellent software, trendsetting loyalty scheme and record breaking numbers are the reason why Pokerstars is literally light-years ahead of all other poker sites. US players form the backbone of the site and with the site sponsoring tournaments across the globe the Pokerstars brand is rapidly taking hold in the previously untapped, and potentially lucrative, Asian market. If you want a truly global poker experience with the safest, most reliable and most reputable brand in the poker world then Pokerstars is without doubt, hands down the poker site for you.