Pokerstars: How to start playing, registration and game formats

PokerStars is the leader of the modern poker industry, the largest platform for playing online poker. PokerStars poker room offers its users the richest selection of cash games and tournaments at any limits, the most thoughtful software, as well as regular promotions and bonuses. The number of players registered on Pokerstars has already exceeded the mark of 100 million people. No other room can boast of such popularity.

Another great poker room: Spartan Poker

How to start playing on PokerStars

First you need to download the software from the official website. The account is created from an installed client.

Registration

After launching the application, you need to click the “Join” button. In the form that opens, you need to fill in:

• Screen name of the user (come up with);
• Password;
• E-mail;
• Phone number;
• First and last name;
• Address.

Next, you will need to confirm the e-mail by clicking on the link from the letter.

Verification

The deposit is allowed to be made without proof of identity. The verification procedure is requested immediately after the first withdrawal request. The user will receive an email.

You need to send a copy of the civil passport in the poker client section “Help” — “Contact Us”. The check is carried out within 3 days. Additional documents confirming the address of residence may be requested.

Pokerstars Bonuses and Promotions

The Poker Stars loyalty system consists of several permanent incentive schemes: 

• Instant $30 or deferred up to $600 first deposit bonus; 
• Stars Rewards Club program with random prizes and Jackpot Deals;
• The first deposit bonus has a size of 100% up to $ 600 and is activated by a bonus code.

In addition to them, tasks or Challenges Pokerstars can be attributed to conditionally permanent ones. They can be of any nature – from betting to winning the cash with a certain hand, depending on which the winnings are accrued.

The bonus applies not only to the first deposit, but also to two subsequent deposits made within 60 days after the first, but in the amount of no more than $ 600. The bonus is paid in installments of $ 10 for every $37 rake (27% rakeback). Four months are given for wagering.

Official website and applications

PokerStars is one of the largest poker rooms in the Network, which has existed for more than 10 years. Every day hundreds and hundreds of users gather here at the tournament tables to play for real or conditional money. Why? Everything is obvious: quality, safety, conditions.

Today, the world of online poker is more diverse than ever. However, many professional poker players know that among the many offers (profitable and not so much), the PokerStars poker room occupies a special place. If not to say the first.

Key parameters of the official website: clear usability, fast loading, no bugs. The site has been translated into many languages of the world, including Russian. An exemplary example of what a poker room website should look like. But, unfortunately, users from Russia do not always manage to get on it because of the locks. The room knows about this, so they took care of creating several mirrors so that everyone could download the client. 

How to start playing on PokerStars 

After registering, the user can start playing PokerStars for real money on a PC, mobile device. It is allowed to use both versions of the client with the same Stars account. The room offers the following types of games: 

• For conditional chips — they are issued free of charge. They cannot be exchanged for money or bought. No deposit required;
• For money — you need to top up your account from an electronic wallet or bank card. New players receive a choice of an instant or deferred bonus when making a deposit. 

By choosing the type of game, you can start searching for suitable offers in the lobby of the poker client. 

Game Formats

Types of Pokerstars games for money: cash, cash with a quick reset of cards (Zoom), all-in or fold cash (Tempest), MTT, single-table Sit-and-Go tournaments, single-table Spin-and-Go, Kick-Off.

Kick-off is a new mixed tournament format that combines four types of poker:

• Shoot—Out – a game of up to one winner at the table;
• Knock-Out — payouts for knocked out opponents;
• Steps — receiving the main prize through a chain of tournaments;
• Spin-and-Go wins with a random multiplier.

Kick-Off levels for 3 minutes. 4 people participate. To get the main prize, you need to win 5 tournaments in a row.

Spin and Go

There are traditionally 3 people at the table. Blind levels are 3 minutes each. 10 gradations of buy-ins: $0.25, $1, $2, $5, then from $10 to $1,000. Events up to $250 inclusive are available at any time of the day. The maximum multiplier is x10,000. A $1,000,000 prize is periodically played on one of the low buy-ins. Spin-and-go are held in classic Hold’em and pot Limit Omaha. Users are also offered a variant with a more aggressive growth of blinds — Flash.

Traditional Cache

The main advantage of Pokerstars over competitors is the activity on 9-max in Texas Hold’em. Even in the morning, 4-5 tables are filled in this format $1/$2. Minimum blinds are $0.01/$0.02, maximum blinds are $50/$100.

Zoom-poker

Events with a quick fold and random opponents in each hand are Hold’em and Omaha. Limit range: from NL2 to NL2000. There is a game up to NL200 even in the early morning on a weekday. The 9-max tables remained only at the lowest blind level of $0.01/$0.02.

The entire Heads-Up cache has been converted to Zoom format (one-on-one). There is also a new opponent in each hand. This is done to protect recreational players.

SNG

PokerStars is developing a single-table tournament format. The entrance fee starts from $1. The maximum contribution is $5,000. In the evening, it is possible to find 4-5 events of one buy-in at the same time up to $7.50 inclusive.

The most popular are not the classic SNG, but two other varieties:

•  Knock-Out — with prizes for knocked out opponents;
• Fifty50 is a variant of the “doubling or nothing” (DON) format.

75% of sit-and-go support the growth of blinds after 5 or 3 minutes (Turbo and Hyper-Turbo). The 6-max and 9-max formats are presented in approximately equal proportions.

SNG tournaments

Otherwise it is called “multi-table sit-and-go”. From 18 to 180 people can take part. There are tournaments with a variable number of participants — On Demand (“On demand”). They begin upon reaching a certain number of paid buy-ins, then late registration is provided.

There is a multi-table SNG game at any time of the day. Approximately half of the tournaments support re-entry after departure (Re-Entry). A third is in the “knockout” format. 90% of SNG tournaments have accelerated blind growth. Therefore, it cannot be said that they are suitable for beginners, because of aggressive actions immediately from the first levels.

MTT

Buy-ins start at 55 cents. The maximum contribution is $1,050 (High Roller Club). By setting the Buy-in filter, you can understand the prospects of a tournament career at PokerStars. In the evening, within one hour, it is really possible to launch 8-12 events with a buy-in of $ 11. For a $2.20 contribution, this figure is 2 times higher.

Omaha

All existing types of Omaha are played at PokerStars: classic Hi, Hi-low, Five-Card, Six-Card, Courchevel. There is no limit Omaha. Omaha Hi-Low occurs in a format with no restrictions on the amount of bets. Tables only 6-max. Full Ring (9-max) was removed a few years ago.

Hold’em 6+

The cost of entering Hold’em with a 36-card deck starts from $2. The game is played only on 6-max. Boarding takes place automatically after making a buy-in, since there is no list of tables in the lobby. Features of the rules: straights are higher than sets and trips, flush is older than full house.

Exotic types of poker

In addition to 5- and 6-card Omaha, Courchevel lobby also features 7-card Stud, Razz, 5-card Draw, Lowball 2-7, Badugi, mixed games.

Mobile version of PokerStars 

A phone client is a great opportunity to never part with poker. It can be used separately or for alternate games from a PC and a mobile phone from the same account. This is the best mobile software in online poker. You can download Poker Stars for playing for real money from the official website of the room. Features: 

• Supports horizontal and vertical screen orientation. 
• Gesture control. 
• Multi-tabling at 4 tables on Android and 5 on iOS. 
• There are no limits on limits and poker disciplines. 
• Setting up the control panel. The ability to play while holding the phone in one hand. 

Replenishment of the account and withdrawal of money 

No commission is charged for adding funds to the account. The minimum deposit is $5. The minimum withdrawal is $10 to electronic payment systems and $100 to bank cards. Amounts below and equal to the deposit are withdrawn instantly. The rest of the transfers are processed from a few minutes to 2 days. Funds are credited to bank cards within 2-7 days. Available ways to deposit and withdraw funds: 

• Visa, Mastercard, Maestro cards;
• WebMoney;
• Skrill;
• NETELLER;
• MuchBetter;
• ecoPayz.