Poker Stars

Poker Stars has received rave reviews regarding a list of features at the online poker room. First and foremost, Poker Stars is ranked the number one online poker room in the world in terms of active members. This was no easy task as the elite software is privately developed, and is not a part of any network or shared player base. The poker game variety is awesome, providing not only the usual games, but other games like Razz, H.O.R.S.E. and 2-7 Triple Draw. The tournament schedule is unbeatable, including a weekly $1-million guaranteed tournament, and US players are still accepted.

Privately owned and developed by the online poker room, the software platform is state of the art. Awesome graphics and sound effects give players that realistic feel that is so frequently lacking in today's online poker community. Lobby statistics provide all of the necessary information, including average pot size, hands per hour and viewed-flop percentage. The software is very stable, reliable and highly customizable. Even with an average of 120,000 real-money players at peak hours, gameplay is quick, smooth and uninterrupted - especially suitable for multiple table play at up to 8 simultaneous cash games and unlimited tournaments. Multiple tables can be tiled, cascaded and resize for player convenience. All of the usual features like hand histories and note taking are available.

New players can earn a 100% matching bonus of up to $50 on their first deposit, using the bonus code "First2007". To release the bonus, collect 10 Player Points for every $1 of the bonus amount. Players have 6 months to complete bonus requirements. Points are earned by participating in raked ring games (points vary by the limit and amount raked) and for paying tournament fees (5 points for every $1 paid in fees).

The online poker room has one of the largest poker game varieties to be found. Players can participate in the following cash games: Texas Hold'Em, Omaha Poker, Omaha High-Low, Seven Card Stud, Five Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, Seven Card Stud High-Low, Razz and H.O.R.S.E. Poker Stars is responsible for the introduction of 'micro-limits', offering Hold'Em and Omaha games of $.01/$.02 with no rake taken. Fixed Limit, No Limit and Pot Limit games are available in heads-up, short handed and full table varieties.

Players are privy to an incredible tournament schedule, jam packed with every sort of tournament imaginable. Freerolls are offered 3 times a day worth $250 for a 10 Point buy-in. Many freerolls are actually satellites to larger events, but the best freerolls are offered exclusively to loyal players. Buy-ins start very low, with most tournaments in the low to mid-level buy-in range. However, serious poker players can enter massive events with buy-ins of $500 or more. As a general rule, the lower the buy-in is, the softer the competition will be. Poker Stars is most famous for their $1,000,000 Guaranteed weekly tournament, the Sunday Million, for a buy-in of $215 ($530 on the last Sunday of the month), or win satellite entry for as little as $3. The Sunday Million guarantees at least $1-million prize pool with no less than $100,000 to 1st place, but has recently risen as high as $2.4-million due to excessive tournament traffic.

PokerStar occasionally offers reload bonuses averaging 20% to 25% of $100 or $120 on deposits up to $600. VIPs are sometimes offered a reload bonus as high as 50% up to $1,000. All players earn FPP (Frequent Player Points) which can be used to release bonuses, enter special FPP tournaments and freerolls, and to purchase an excellent variety of Poker Stars merchandise from the poker points store.

On the up-side,Poker Stars provides lightning fast e-mail support from their friendly, expert staff. On the downside, e-mail is the only support offered - live chat and telephone support is not available. The FAQ page is quite informative and useful in answering common questions.

Poker Star offers a full line of deposit and withdraw methods for player convenience. US players are accepted and are encouraged to use Prepaid Visa Debit or ePassporte for deposits, the same methods, plus an option of Check, for withdraws.

Deposits: Visa, MasterCard, Solo, Maestro, Diners Club International, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, FPS, Online Bank Transfer, Local Bank Transfer, EC-ELV, NETeller, MoneyBookers, ePassporte, Instant eChecks, UseMyBank and PaySafeCard.

Withdraws: Visa, Maestro, Solo, FPS, NETeller, MoneyBookers, ePassporte and Check.