|
|
PokerStars Review
If I had to choose only one site in which to invest my poker bankroll,
while many would be considered,
PokerStars
would be my option; there are many reasons why.
PokerStars
offer a huge selection of cash games in various betting formats
and a massive choice of tournaments catering to all players no
matter what variation, structure or buy-in level they enjoy.
The site is managed in a professional way with general enquiries
to their support responded to quickly.
|
|
Many sites offer a similar game variety, however
PokerStars
have the player numbers to ensure you meet a wide variety of real
money players on full cash tables and in well attended tournaments.
As with many online poker sites, a major share of the ring games,
sit and go tournaments and scheduled tournaments are dedicated to
Texas Hold’em; although having so many players registered with
PokerStars,
those that enjoy other poker formats are also well looked after. |
 |
During the last six months an average of nearly 30,000 real money
ring game players were connected testing their mettle every hour on
PokerStars,
with peak times having 45,000 giving it their all. The trend of growth
continues.
Games played use a variety of standard fixed limit, pot limit and
no limit betting structures, with the addition of some mixed limit games
(rounds of Limit Hold'em and No Limit Hold'em).
Game formats include - Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven
Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, Five Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw,
2-7 Single Draw, HORSE, Razz (7 Card Stud Low), 8-Game Mix and Badugi.
From the lobby
The lobby tabs make selection between ring games, scheduled
tournaments and sit and go tournaments simple. Each of the ring
game and tournament selections can be sorted by sub tabs to
general stake limits, and further reduced by another line of tabs
to other requirements; finding your favourite game/stake is quickened if
making use of the well thought-out filter facility.
Sit and Go tournaments
Sit and go players will find numerous games beginning every few
minutes in the buy-in range under $5. Many of these are no limit
Hold’em games for fields of between 12 and 180 players;
the 18 and 45 seat Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo games do not take too
long to fill up either.
Marginally less action is seen in the $5-$19 range but again it
does not take long after enrolling in a game before it begins.
During off peak hours, the $20-$100 and $100+ buy-in sng’s are
less well attended although they still enjoy plenty of action.
Single table sng's have their own lobby tab and are
always quick to begin in all buy-in levels. |
|
|
Scheduled tournaments
The scheduled tournaments are well attended in all buy-in ranges.
As a typical example; in the buy-in range under $5 it is common to
see around 2,000 players entering a regular $2.20 freezeout
tournament with a $2,000 guaranteed prize pool. And their $40,000
guaranteed $3.30+Re-buy often has a field in excess of 4,000
players.
$1.10 HORSE games will see 300+ starters while less common games
like 7-2 triple draw often have 100+ entrants.
In the $5-$19 range, an $11 buy-in for a NLH tournament regularly
has 1,000+ starting the $8,000 freezeout and 2,000+ beginning the
$80,000 re-buy. Close to 100 players will often begin the $11 games
playing other formats including mixed limit Hold’em and Razz etc,
while the Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo events attract between 250 to 500
players.
Moving up to the $20-$99 buy-in range, 1,500 players will
frequent the $22 buy-in, $32,000 guaranteed NLH games and 200+ often
start the $22 deep stack tournaments. 5 Card Draw and Omaha
tournaments will often see 50-100+ taking part.
In the high buy-in range of over $100, 500 players will pay a $109
entry fee for the $50,000 NLH freezeout and over 200 will test
their skills in the $70,000 guaranteed NLH re-buy. In this range
there is no shortage of players in the other less common
formats.
Aside from
PokerStars
nightly $100,000 tournaments; at weekends, players are treated to
$500,000, $750,000 and the well known
PokerStars
Sunday million tournament. When you get a good run in a big one,
you're probably going to be phoning in 'sick' the next day.
Satellites are available for all these events.
Tournaments (general)
With so much variety at
PokerStars
it is hard to find a time when there is not a regular game about
to begin in a buy-in range to suit your bankroll. If an instant
start is wanted then NLH sng’s are always happening. Some will
prefer playing poker at a small site where opponents quickly become
familiar, but will not find equivalent action.
PokerStars
players who often reach the latter stages of tournaments in a
consistent game type and stake, will begin to recognise others
strong player soon enough.
If the starting player numbers in many of the regular games
seems too large, it is often worth bearing in mind that many of the
no limit fields will reduce to 50% by the first break, with the
top group of players fighting around the bubble in the third
hour.
On occasions it may still take 5-6 hours for you to record a MTT
first place finish but when you do it is well worth it.
PokerStars
build in a full 5 minute break at the end of every hour that begins
when the last table has completed its hand, giving remaining players
ample time to rest.
Ring games
As standard across the industry, the lower table stake games are
the best attended but there is always action at the higher end
too. Atypical ring games such as Badugi, HORSE, draw and Stud that
struggle for players on other sites have a comfortable amount of
action, while the Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo tables are filled with
players at most levels.
At the table
The default table layout is clean and easy to use; if like me you
prefer a very simple screen that is quick to follow, (handy when
multi-tabling) clicking on the chip rack at the top of the table
opens an options window. From there players can customise their
view using standard models or upload their own background image.
Requests can be made for more chips, instant and emailed hand
history, as well as call for a site moderator if needed.
Large clear action buttons allow players to place bets at
pre-set amounts, they may also use the slider to increase bets, or
may enter any bet amount in a text window (provided limits allow).
Common check boxes allow players to sit out, fold to any bet and
auto-post their blinds. In-play check boxes give players the
opportunity to pre-set a betting action if they make an early
decision.
An information area gives player stats and concise tournament
information, plus has a dedicated tab for player notes.
Bonuses
100% First time depositor's bonus of up to $600.
Make your first-ever real money deposit using the bonus code
‘STARS600’, and
PokerStars
will give you a 100% bonus up to $600.
You can make up to three qualifying deposits in 90 days (up to a
total of $600) - the perfect way to take full advantage of the
100% bonus. Once you’ve made your deposit(s), you earn the bonus
by playing on PokerStars and collecting the required number of
VPPs.
The bonus is released in $10 increments, each released into your
account as you clear the needed VPPs (170 VPPs for every $10
increment). You have six months after your first deposit to earn
all the VPPs needed to release your bonus.
See the
PokerStars
First Time Deposit information page for full details.
There are so many good points with
PokerStars,
it is one of your must have rooms. |
|
|
Back to top of page |
