PokerStars Software

The software at PokerStars is among the best in the online industry. Truly seamless, problem-free graphics and site architecture allow the player to concentrate on playing rather than peripheral problems that might arise at some other sites.

Players are allowed to upload any non-offensive avatar of their choice to represent them at the table. The basic color scheme of the table is variations of tans which are neutral to the eye. Players can also download various table skins to allow more freedom of personalizing the site to fit their style. Tables can be re-sized to allow multi-tabling on any resolution screen. Players have access to one of the best note-taking functions in the industry, as well as a very good, intuitive statistics screen. Players have leeway in turning player avatars and chat on or off, and Poker Stars offers a four-color deck option.

The main menu is both easy to understand and easy to navigate. Ring game table menus allow their players to take advantage of hands/hour, players seeing the flop percentages as well as average pot sizes, in order to facilitate table selection.

Menus for ring games, tournaments and SnGs are all easily navigated and have numerous filters to allow the player to find the right tournament, at the right time and for the right price, quickly and easily.

PokerStars Traffic

As the largest site on the internet, Poker Stars has superb traffic at all hours of the day. PokerStars also gets a good mix of traffic for games other than Texas Holdem.

PokerStars Games

PokerStars has long been known as the place to play when you are serious about tournament poker. Many players have been attracted to Poker Stars due to the success of the 2003, 2004 and 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event Champions, the first two of which qualified through PokerStars. As the largest poker site, Poker Stars has a large variety of games to play, and a large player base to guarantee around the clock competition.

PokerStars offers Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7-Card Stud, 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo, Razz and HORSE. Fixed limit games run from $.02/$.04 to $200/$400. Holdem Players can play in short-handed 6 player tables, or 10-handed fullring tables. NL runs from NL2 to NL5000. PL runs from PL25 to PL600. The industry norm for NL/PL tables is 100 Big Blinds, thus a $0.01/$0.02 NL game is generally referred to as NL2. At PokerStars, however, the $0.01/$0.02 and $0.02/$0.04 NL games actually allow 250 Big Blind buy-ins. This means that big stack poker can be practiced at the micro-limits where buy-in for these tables can be as much as $5 and $10, respectively.

PokerStars has decent traffic at the non-hold'em games, allowing their players either a change of pace from hold'em or a home to play those games they enjoy.

PokerStars has a very extensive selection of Sit and Go tournaments [SnGs]. They run the gamut from $5500+$100 to $1+$0.20 buy-ins. There are also 500 and 1500 Frequent Player Point [FPP] SnGs. They offer SnG qualifiers to the weekly $1M Guaranteed tournament available in both real money and FPP buy-ins. Their SnGs also range from 2-player heads-up games to massive 180-person games.

PokerStars is well-known for it's multiple table tournaments which run 24 hours per day and have freerolls as well as buy-ins suiting all levels of play and comfort.

PokerStars Promotions

From now until the end of 2008, if you make your first-ever real money deposit, PokerStars will give you a 100% bonus up to $50. Use the bonus code First2008 to begin earning your extra cash. To earn this bonus, you will simply need to play on PokerStars and collect the number of Base FPPs equal to 10 times the bonus amount. You have six months after your first deposit to earn all the FPPs you need to cash out your bonus. This promotion ends on December 31st.

Use ITH's Marketing Code of ITHBONUS when registering your new account.

Select the $60 Cash Reward as your Free Gift Offer and earn 250 FPPs and you will have received the best PokerStars bonus on the internet - guaranteed!

PokerStars currently belongs to the Free Gift Offer at ITH. Players who open a real money account with PokerStars through one of ITH's links or banners and deposit a minimum of $50 are eligible for the Free Gift Offer. Players will need to accumulate a minimum of 250 FPPs to qualify for the Free Gift Offer.

After satisfying your requirements, simply go into the Free Gift Offer webpage and click on the "Finished the Requirements? Claim Now!" button and fill out the criteria to receive your free gift.

Restrictions: Players who have already opened a play money or real money account at PokerStars are not eligible for this offer. If you already have an account, opening up a new account with a different username does not make you eligible for the free book. This offer is exclusive to www.InternetTexasHoldem.com so you must use one of the links provided on this website. Accounts set up through other websites are not eligible for the free books. Please ensure that you follow the directions provided to ensure that you receive proper credit for the free books.

World Series of Poker

There are many major events out there, but none of them come close to the importance of the WSOP. From the instant fame attached to winning the Championship, to the multi-million dollar prize, this is where legends of poker are born. In 2008, PokerStars is giving you more chances than anywhere else to live the World Series dream.

PokerStars prides themselves on giving their players a World Series experience they will never forget.

The prize package:

$10,000 Main Event buy-in

$2,500 for expenses

Free hotel accommodation at the Palms, for 8 nights from July 2-9 (or a cash alternative of $1,000). The qualifiers that chose to wear PokerStars gear, who are still playing in the main event on July 10th will have their accommodation extended until July 15th.

Hotel suite upgrades for Supernova and Supernova Elite VIP members.

Shuttle Bus service each day to the Rio.

Cash bonuses of up to $50,000 for qualifiers that make a TV table.

Additional bonuses of up to $1,000,000 for players that make the final table.

How to win your prize package:
Not only is PokerStars giving their players the best World Series prize package around, we’re also providing the most chances to win one:

Buy-in directly to any of their cash qualifiers

Use your Frequent Player Points in theirFPP qualifiers

Battle your way to the Main Event with Steps SnG Satellites

WSOP Million Dollar Giveaway

Welcome to the WSOP Million Dollar Giveaway. It’s this simple: between April 13 and June 28, PokerStars is giving away $1,000,000 worth of World Series packages. That’s 80 free seats in total.

You could be living it up in Las Vegas, playing in the jewel in poker’s crown for absolutely nothing. All you need to enter is a PokerStars account.

Here’s what you could win:

Entry to the 2008 Main Event worth $10,000

Accommodation at the Palms, Las Vegas

$2,500 for expenses

To get your free entry:

Download the free PokerStars software and register your account.

Enter the freeroll of your choice in the tournament lobby by clicking ‘Tourney’ and ‘Freeroll’ or, alternatively, under the ‘Events’ tab and then ‘WSOP’ and 'All'.

You can download and start your pursuit of a WSOP seat today by clicking on one of our banners or links above.

The Million Dollar Giveaway freerolls run from April 13 until June 27. There are 24 Round 1 tournaments every day (one every hour at 05 past the hour), so why not take part today? You are eligible to play in one (1) Round 1 tournament per week. The top 50 players in each Round 1 tournament will be awarded a ticket to the Million Dollar Giveaway Weekly Final.

Weekly Final
The Weekly Final tournaments are held every Saturday from April 19 until June 28 at the following times: 7:31AM EST, 1:30PM EST, 8:00PM EST.

Sunday Million

PokerStars was the first card room to offer a $1 Million Guaranteed no- limit hold'em tournament every week. Each Sunday at 4:30PM EST, the event gets better and better. First prize in this event is always more than $100,000. Most weeks, the buy-in to the event is $215. The last week of every month, the buy-in is $530. Finally, four times a year, PokerStars offers a $1,050 event for the best of the best. For as little as $3, players can enter satellite almost any time of day and win an entry into the Sunday Million.

Latin American Poker Tour

Qualify for the LAPT at PokerStars now.

PokerStars will be running satellites for LAPT Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) from March 10, 2008, with buy-ins starting from just $2.20. This means everyone has a chance to take part in the exciting action.

Players can also qualify with their Steps SnG satellites from only $7.50 or 500 FPP credits.

Direct buy-in cost is $500+$30 as the super satellites occur at 6:30PM EST each Saturday.

The LAPT Rio de Janeiro prize package is worth $5,000 and includes $2,500 event buy-in, 4 nights hotel accommodation and $1,900 for expenses.

The LAPT is a three-event season:

LAPT Costa Rica, Ramada Plaza Herradura San José, Costa Rica, May 22-24, $2,500+$200 buy-in, field capped at 300

LAPT Uruguay, Mantra Resort Spa Casino Punta Del Este, Uruguay, August 7-9, $2,500+$200 buy-in, field capped at 300

Battle of the Planets

Get ready for blast off, because PokerStars new weekly Leader Board promotion is truly out of this world. The Battle of the Planets gives PokerStars SnG players a chance to compete against each other for prizes worth more than $3,000,000 per year.

In the Battle of the Planets, PokerStars multi-player SnG tournaments have been separated into eight divisions, all named after planets in our solar system. Everyone can take part in the competition, no matter how high or low stakes they play. Each planet represents a different range of buy-ins, from Mercury ($1-$2.99) to Jupiter ($300+).

Each of the eight planet divisions are split into two individual Leader Boards. The first is the Low Orbit Leader Board, which is tailored towards casual and recreational players. The second is the High Orbit Leader Board, which is more suited to high volume players.

Each planet division has its own weekly prize pool, distributed evenly between the two Leader Boards. This gives all players a chance to win some serious cash prizes, no matter what their level of experience or the size of their bankroll.

Every player that finishes in the top 10 of any weekly SnG Leader Board will receive an exclusive ticket to a monthly tournament. This “Battle of the Planets” will see the highest ranking players from each division come together to fight it out in a triple shootout, for a monthly prize pool of $50,000.

Stability

With a very large and loyal player base, PokerStars is among the safest, most stable internet poker sites available. Cashout speed is the fastest in the industry. A variety of well-known poker personalities back the site. PokerStars has been around since 1999, making it one of the oldest and most established poker sites. Their attention to security and their consumers, and the best customer service in the industry make them a very stable place to play.

Security

PokerStars uses a high level of security at it's internet poker site. It's gametime software and download are both encrypted to deny potential invasion of both their software and your privacy. Their random number generator has been audited by two independent firms, BMM International and Cigital and deemed truly random by both. They have anti-collusion software which allows their security personnel to detect and thwart collusion. Your money and your play are very safe here..

PokerStars Customer Service

PokerStars customer service is a top priority and their handling of all of their customers questions and concerns happen quickly and efficiently. Most customer service issues are handled within a few hours. PokerStars' customer service is the best in the industry.

Poker Tracker Compatibility

PokerStars is fully compatible with Poker Tracker. In the PokerStars software you can direct where your hand histories are to be recorded, and can have Poker Tracker automatically download them from your computer. PokerStars hand histories are available for Holdem, Stud and Omaha cash games and tournaments.

Ability to Multitable

There is no limit to the number of tables you may play concurrently at PokerStars.

Multiple Accounts per Household

PokerStars has security features set up to disallow more than one account to operate from the same computer. Players wishing to set up multiple household accounts with PokerStars will be asked a variety of questions regarding the relationship between the players involved. If PokerStars grants multiple household accounts, players will not be allowed access to the same tables.

Reload Bonus Frequency

PokerStars offers reloads 6 or 7 times a year. Reloads usually proliferate in the months leading up to the World Series of Poker [WSOP], World Championship of Online Poker [WCOOP] and during the months of September through December.

Tournaments with Overlays

A tournament overlay is the result of guaranteed prize money that is not offset by the participant's buy-ins. As such, all freerolls and FPP freerolls always offer an overlay.

As one of the largest internet poker sites, PokerStars has a vast array of online tournaments. Very few of these tournaments will offer an overlay as a result of the sheer number of participants involved. Any overlays will usually occur in less than peak hours in the United States.

Maximum Amount of Bonus

$110

Bonuses Cleared During Tournaments

Bonuses can be cleared playing tournaments, SnGs and satellites. Players receive 5 FPP for every $1 in tournament fees [rounded up].

Time Allowed to Clear Bonus

Bonuses at PokerStars now have expiration dates of 6 months.

Withdrawal Restrictions

Withdrawals can be made prior to clearing a bonus, but PokerStars suggests waiting 48 hours after your deposit before requesting a cashout.

Bonus as a %age of Deposit

220% up to $50. Valid until the end of 2008.

Are Bonuses Stackable?

Bonuses are stackable at Poker Stars.

Bonus to Table or Cleared?

The full amount of the bonus must be cleared prior to having access to the bonus money.

Can Bonuses be Chased on 1+ Skin?

Poker Stars is a sole proprietor as they have no skins or other pokersites sharing their tables.

Bullajami Discretionary Poker Room Bonus Rating

If you're a poker bonus chaser, and have not yet chased the initial deposit bonus at Poker Stars, STOP what you are doing and go chase that bonus. You have been missing out on a hugely +EV opportunity. Poker Stars is the most reputable online poker room. The initial deposit bonus, while small, clears very quickly. Add to that the Internet Texas Holdem Free Gift Offer for signing up at Poker Stars, and you are GETTING PAID to play poker. That's a beautiful thing!

Piscivorous Discretionary Poker Room Bonus Rating

There is virtually little to complain about with regards to Poker Stars and it's bonus[es]. Although the initial deposit bonus is small by industry standards, there are so many good things about their bonuses that it outweighs the small problems. The bonus clears at 50% rakeback with regard to tournaments. They give players 6 months to clear, which is ample time. The site is the largest on the internet, so players can always find games and tournaments for which to clear bonuses. Their reloads are historically in the $120-$150 range, which is quite lucrative. Their bonuses stack, there are no withdrawal restrictions other than the courteous 48 hour grace period. Just to add more incentive to play here, ITH has them on the Free Gift Offer where players can gain access to up to 3 standard gifts once the player breezes through the 250 FPP requirements. Here's a complaint: They are sole-proprietary software, so I can't play on other PokerStars skins and take advantage of more of their great bonuses!

Internet Texas Holdem Free Poker Bonus Gift Offer Items Rating

Use ITH's Marketing Code of ITHBONUS when registering your new account. Poker Stars currently belongs to the Free Gift Offer at ITH. Players who open a real money account with Poker Stars through one of ITH's links or banners and deposit a minimum of $50 are eligible for the Free Gift Offer. Players will need to accumulate a minimum of 250 FPPs to qualify for the Free Gift Offer. After satisfying your requirements, simply go into the Free Gift Offer webpage and click on the "Finished the Requirements? Claim Now!" button and fill out the criteria to receive your free gift. Restrictions: Players who have already opened a play money or real money account at Poker Stars are not eligible for this offer. If you already have an account, opening up a new account with a different username does not make you eligible for the free book. This offer is exclusive to www.InternetTexasHoldem.com so you must use one of the links provided on this website. Accounts set up through other websites are not eligible for the free books. Please ensure that you follow the directions provided to ensure that you receive proper credit for the free books.

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