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Poker Stars launched in 1991 and revolutionised the industry, creating online tournaments that have paid a large part in the online poker revolution we see today. Comfortably the second biggest online poker room, but still a very long way behind the market leader in ring games, in the tournament arena Poker Stars are nearly the match for Party Poker, and are the preferred choice of the serious player who is looking for the big online score, due to their player friendly structure and superb software. Now the home of the last two World Series of Poker Champions, Greg “Fossilman” Raymer and Chris Moneymaker who won their seats to the big event by qualifying on Poker Stars, players are flocking here to try and emulate these two now very wealthy men.
Software: One of the best on the market and many peoples favourites, this is incredibly easy to use, and you can see that a player’s eye has been very much in evidence throughout the development of this product. Large easy to use buttons, clear and precise sliders for big bet games, player notes, instant statistics, and a lobby that is laid out in a clear and precise format with all the information required to select the game of you’re choosing. A nice feature is the ability to add your own avatar in your seat, so you can personalise your look to give some individuality, beware though that you can only change this once, so choose wisely, as some players obviously haven’t! There isn’t a lot missing here, although a buddy list and a brighter colour scheme on the tables wouldn’t go amiss, browns and yellows would not be to everyone’s taste I don’t think. 9/10
Support: Only email support is available, but a prompt and knowledgeable reply is always given which somewhat negates the need for other forms of communication. 8/10
Banking: Poker Stars accept Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Central Coin, Firepay, Diners Club, Western Union and cheques. No debit cards accepted at present but with their current drive to attract players in the UK this can’t be far off. Withdrawals are now so fast to Neteller that they can literally be back in your account within 5 minutes, no fuss and no worries about getting paid. So despite the lack of some deposit methods, this gains full marks for the fastest banking in poker. 10/10
Bonuses: No deposit bonus is available, although there are fairly frequent re-load bonuses, so it’s probably best just to download and play away until the re-load offer comes along. There is also a loyalty points scheme that can be used to buy-in to tournaments or exchanged for goods in the Poker Stars online shop. 5/10
Game Availability: As you would expect from the number two competitor, there is plenty for everyone, with a good mix of limit and no limit players, presumably attracted by the tournaments on offer, you’ll have no problem finding a game, but the pot limit and no limit tables are only 9 seaters meaning that a table can break pretty quickly once a player leaves, and you must look again for a new game. 9/10
Game Toughness: Many say that Poker Stars is the toughest to beat, but there definitely seems to have been an influx of new players, possibly hoping to be the next Raymer or Moneymaker, so while limit can still be tough, no limit games are definitely seeing an increase in the all-in bluffer technique learned from too much World Poker Tour viewing. 7/10
Total 48/60
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