PokerStars Review

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About PokerStars Mobile App

If you love to play poker and own a mobile device, but have yet to go mobile with your poker play, what are you waiting for? Today, it seems, every major online poker operator has jumped on the mobile bandwagon, but that doesn’t mean that all of the mobile poker sites and apps are of equal quality. If nothing but the best will do, your obvious choice is the biggest and most technologically advanced online poker site in the world, PokerStars.

If you are a person who is on the move a lot, there have probably been many frustrating occasions when you missed out on a tournament, special offer, or other lucrative opportunity simply because you were nowhere near your home computer. (For info on the main site, see our PokerStars review.) The PokerStars app is free, looks great and is easy to download and install on any device.

Perhaps you didn’t realize that the same mobile phone or tablet you use for many other day-to-day functions you can now also use to play poker. Or possibly you knew that but have yet to get involved because you figured the very limited choice of games available to you was not worth your time. While limited games and the absence of other desirable features discerning online poker players depend on is definitely a problem with some of the apps, PokerStars mobile poker not only does not have those shortcomings; it provides a mobile experience that is probably as comparable as it can get to playing on the computer. The one important difference is that instead of being tied down to your home PC or to someone else’s browser, you can be anywhere, and the little gadget in the palm of your hand is making it possible.

The PokerStars poker apps are free. All you have to do to get in on the action is follow the easy instructions for downloading the latest app for your Apple iOS or Android device.

History and Background

PokerStars, online since 2001, was at one time the leading poker site in the United States. In 2002, PokerStars launched the World Championship of Online Poker, which has since become one of the biggest online poker series in the world. The site’s popularity peaked after unknown amateur player Chris Moneymaker miraculously captured the top prize in the 2003 WSOP. Amateur and professional poker players alike bombarded PokerStars hoping to duplicate his success and become “moneymakers” themselves.

Then, on April 15, 2011, the day that came to be known in the poker community as “Black Friday,” PokerStars was shut down by the U.S. Government. The site has since relaunched in states where online poker is fully legal, licensed and regulated.

The site’s integrity was never in doubt since the U.S. online customers who had accounts with PokerStars were paid their funds in full. In addition, in 2012, PokerStars settled its case with the Department of Justice and purchased the assets of Full Tilt Poker, returning owed money to former customers of that site as well.

Today, with millions of registered users and thousands logged on playing for real money at any given time, the position of PokerStars as one of the world’s leading poker sites seems secure. Our PokerStars mobile review found that its close attention to the growing popularity of mobile device play has helped to cement that standing. PokerStars introduced its first downloadable iOS mobile app in January, 2012. One month later, a second PokerStars app was made available for Android devices.

Security and Fair Play

PokerStars is licensed in the Isle of Man and Malta. The very fact that PokerStars has been operating successfully online since 2001 is a clear indication that this is a legitimate site that conducts its business fairly and responsibly. Had it been anything but that, the site certainly would not have been able to rebound from the legal problems that led to its being shut down in the U.S. in 2011 and continue its worldwide presence.

Our PokerStars mobile review found that another indication that this is a safe and secure place to play, and that its customers are being treated fairly, is the ongoing review of the site by independent auditors. Also, just as the site does its part to ensure integrity, it has zero tolerance for player collusion. The endorsement of PokerStars by well-respected internationally known poker pros – former ambassadors include the likes of Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, and Greg Raymer – provides an additional basis for placing one’s trust in this site.

Software

PokerStars uses its own high quality software, which it is continually updating, not only to take advantage of the very latest in online computer and mobile technology, but also to ensure complete safety to its users.

In order to play the PokerStars games on your tablet or mobile device, you will need to register and set up an account which you can do either through the web cashier on the downloaded mobile app itself or on the computer. Both the Apple iOS and Android apps are absolutely free.

These apps are far superior to what most of the others have to offer, and as a PokerStars mobile player, you should find very little that is different from what you would experience playing on your computer. The following are just some of the many special features you can look forward to once your mobile poker PokerStars iPhone or Android app is downloaded onto your phone or tablet.

Quick Seating allowing you to instantly select and be seated at your ring game or tournament game of choice from a wide range of options:

• Personalized avatars and table design
• Web cashier letting you do all your banking directly from your mobile device
• Multi-tabling
• Ability to watch animated replays of the last hand and review hand histories
• Search feature to search for and track specific players
• Tutorials specifically designed for handset and tablet users Opportunity to chat with other players

Another great feature of these apps is that you can switch back and forth between your computer and mobile device. For example, you could be playing on your computer but have to go somewhere, so you can resume your play with little interruption on your mobile phone.

Of course, no site can be perfect and there are certain features that are not offered with PokerStars’ mobile apps. One of those is the use of third party software while playing. Also smartphone players might make mistakes due to the small size of the action buttons on smaller screens. Playing on an iPad gives you the advantage of a larger size screen.

All in all, though, the apps are far superior to most of the competition. You are not likely to be disappointed using them.

Welcome Bonus

All new real money players at PokerStars, including mobile players, are entitled to a Welcome Bonus. The bonus usually consists of a 100% match of your first deposit, though other deals are often available.

Bonuses are generally cleared by contributing to the rake in ring games or paying the fees for buying into tournaments, with bonuses released in increments. Players who already have an existing account with PokerStars are not entitled to a new Welcome Bonus for downloading the mobile app.

Banking

Our PokerStars mobile review found that there is no shortage of banking options at the site, which is exactly what you would expect considering that its players come from all over the world. Most of these methods can be used for both deposit and withdrawal. For your added convenience, you can do your banking directly from the mobile app.

Deposit limits vary with the account and with the deposit method. If you wish, you can also restrict your own weekly deposit limits. Withdrawals are usually processed within 72 hours, after which the time for the money to become available varies, but with most methods is within 3 to 10 business days. Regardless of banking method, advanced encryption technology is your assurance that all of your personal information and financial transactions are completely protected.

Cash Games and Tournaments

On some sites, mobile players can only play one game – hold ‘em – and more often than not for micro to low stakes only. PokerStars mobile players have no such restrictions. If low stakes limit or no limit hold ‘em is what you want to play, fine, but if not, you have the same broad selection of games and stakes to choose from as PokerStars players logged on to their home computers. There are also both ring games and tournaments that don’t require any real cash at all because they use play money.

If you would like to play for real money, clicking on the quick seat button will enable you to make your selection and get seated at a table right away. There are three steps to the process.

1. Select the game, limit, or tournament you wish to play.

2. Refine your search. Choose the variation you want, e.g., Fixed Limit or No Limit for cash games or Freeroll or Satellite for Tournaments.

3. Pick a limit: Micro, Low, Medium, or High

Besides all of the usual varieties of poker you can play on this site, PokerStars offers another unique game called Zoom Poker. As soon as you fold your hand, which you can even do out of turn, you are immediately moved to a new table. The format is offered in both ring games and tournaments.

Our PokerStars mobile review found that, no matter what game you are playing, and no matter what time, there is always plenty of traffic on this site.

The “Sunday Million”, taking place every Sunday, is one of the world’s biggest regular weekly poker tournaments, with a $1M guaranteed prize pool. You can either win your way in via satellite or buy in directly, usually for $215.

If you want to get a little practice before the big tournament, you can play in one of PokerStars many flagship Sunday tournaments, with big prize pools and large fields. Besides the regular Sunday tournaments, you will find a full schedule of tournaments every day of the week. Sit and Go’s are also very popular, as are Spin & Go – 3-handed Sit & Go’s with a randomized prize pool.

The stellar reputation of the site, along with the outstanding tournament schedule, including higher buy-in tournaments, attracts many pros and semi-pros. However even the biggest tournaments, like the Sunday Million, still appeal to a lot of recreational players.

More Information

More Information
Poker site name	PokerStars Mobile
Years in operation	11+ years
Number of games	13
Games offered	Limit and No Limit Hold ‘Em, Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, 5 Card Draw, 2-7 Draw, Razz, HORSE, Badugi, Zoom Poker (a fast fold game)
Number of players	50 million +
Welcome Bonus	$600
Bonus Code	CCPS

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Loyalty Rewards, Promotions, and Customer Support

Loyalty Program

Regular players at PokerStars are regularly rewarded for their play, receiving rewards based on the games and activities they enjoy the most (including casino bonuses and free bets, where available).

The more you play, the higher your reward tier and the bigger bonuses, tickets and freebies you’ll receive. However, even micro-stakes players can look forward to regular bonuses for spending their time playing at PokerStars.

Special Promotions

PokerStars has many special promotions year round, including cash prizes, freerolls, qualifying satellites for seats to big events, and a lot more.

• Tournament Series: PokerStars runs many series with huge, multi-million dollar prizepools throughout the year. These have included the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) and many more.
• Qualifying satellites for big live events
• Multi-Table Tournament Leaderboards: High ranking players on the weekly, monthly, and yearly leaderboards win prizes.
• Personalized Challenges: A section of the lobby shows personalized challenges for every player to take part in, should they wish, usually rewarding those who complete the challenges with tickets or bonuses. These are often randomized, meaning anyone could walk away with a huge payday.

Customer Support

While the site does a very good job of explaining everything clearly, from time to time you may have questions or concerns with which you need help. Customer Support can be accessed 24/7 in many languages, but by a contact form only. There is no live chat or phone support, but the FAQ section is fairly extensive.

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