Review of Poker Stars

Reading our review of Poker Stars, you might wonder if… Yeah, we get ESPN in the aquatic world, too. PokerStars has an impressive track record in terms of big tournament winners, but it's an excellent site to play at, WSOP aside. The tournaments, software, and heavy player traffic are big advantages for PS, and I feel like I'm in a pack of my kindred when I sit down at one of the higher-stakes tables.

PokerStars was obviously designed with the serious poker player in mind.

Categories Reviewed at PokerStars.com

Fish: 1.5
Poker Stars is not the site you want to play at if you're looking for soft competition. In my experience, the fish are pretty dominated by tighter competition. At higher limits, they're dominated by better competition. While they still attract many new players because of their built-in advertisements from Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer, players at this site tend to play more consistently and know their stuff better than at many sites. Unless I turn cannibalistic, it's tough to play Poker Stars on an empty stomach.

Sharks: 4 (inverse rating)
While I think that competition has somewhat softened lately, you'll still find many sharks lurking at the tables. Lower-limit games are still beatable, but they're also very tight. While this may help your premium starting hands survive, you may also have trouble getting the tighter players to pay you off on your monster hands. These games play more like real cardrooms and less like the common online poker room. This can be refreshing if you've just signed off of Pacific and you're looking for a change of pace.

Bait (promotions): 2
Choosing the right bait for new players has never been one of PokerStars's strongest areas. They rarely give large deposit bonuses or hold big promotions for new players. However, for the year 2007 they are giving new players a 100% deposit bonus up to $50 when they use Bonus Code: First2007. As I mentioned previously, this site is designed for serious poker players. I guess they figure that their tournaments, ring games, and software stand on their own and they don't need to offer extra incentives. While this is true to a certain extent, I still like to get a little extra something for choosing a poker site to be my next stomping grounds. They do offer Frequent Player Points that are awarded based on the rake you generate. They can be used to enter special tournaments or redeemed for other prizes. These are difficult to earn for low-stakes players.

Skin (software): 4.5
The PokerStars software is the favorite of most and also scores high points in my book. Play moves along smoothly, and the graphics are not dissimilar from UltimateBet, which is another site with great software. The graphics aren't obnoxious, and they allow players to choose their own image to use as their avatar. If you see the rather handsome screenshot of a hammerhead holding the 7-2 (the hammer), be sure to say hello.

Prey (tournaments): 5
This is one of the main reasons to play at PokerStars: the tournaments. They've obviously taken this area seriously, and it's probably the top tournament site to play on. Any bankroll can find a suitable tourney, as they host a wide range of buy-ins. Poker Stars has definitely consulted knowledgeable tournament directors to structure their tournaments. Another advantage for freeroll players is that there is no player-limit for freeroll tournaments during off-peak hours.

Overall Poker Stars Rating

Pearls (positives)
Excellent tournament traffic and consistent ring games make this a top choice for many serious poker players. They probably have some of the best software and tournaments online.

Hooks (negatives)
Tighter play means smaller pots and more frustration when everyone folds to your straight flush. Higher stakes players will also run into stiff competition. Jeez, don't you hate it when those hooks get caught in your cheek?

The Hammer (overall rating): 5

♣ Visit pokerstars.com

Tips for Playing at Poker Stars

Meat (tips)
Remember that tighter play doesn't necessarily mean better play. Tend to play less drawing hands since you won't be getting very good odds with less players seeing the flop. Since you want to be playing the opposite style of the rest of the table, try to play as aggressively as possible until someone fights back.

Blubber (babble)
Come on, pull up a barnacle-laden rock and chew the fat with me. One night at a middle-limit table on PokerStars, the table was so tight that you could hear the gears creaking. I raised from late position with Q-7 offsuit just hoping to steal the blinds. I got 3 callers, and hit one of my Queens on the flop. I kept betting out and one they kept staying with me. I hit another Q on the turn and made a killing while looking like one of the fish. Don't you love when that happens?

♣ ♣ For further details and ratings for PokerStars.com, you can visit our basic Poker Stars review.

     

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