About PokerStars

PokerStars is a website and an arguably famous brand of online poker. Whether you're a poker fan or not, you've probably heard of it. Its poker software is the one that receives the most players daily, reaching 200 thousand logged in users simultaneously. Coming from all over the world, PokerStars users can participate in tables with the most varied types of online poker in a state-of-the-art software, which is constantly modernizing and updating.

A leader in the online poker market since 2001, the company has greatly diversified its services and approach to online gaming, starting to promote and organize sports events around the world. Today, it also has PokerStars TV, a coverage channel on all poker-related issues, and Team PokerStars Pro, a group formed by the best national and international poker players, who represent the brand in World poker competitions.

In addition, the site offers an extensive information and help platform for beginners or experienced poker players, called PokerStars School, where you can take an interactive training to learn how to play poker. Their blog page brings the latest news from the sport, and in the Home Games section it is possible to create an online poker club just for you and the friends you select. The catalog of tournaments that the site organizes and offers is impressive, leaving behind any competition.

PokerStars is the world's largest online poker site and the most famous for a few more reasons. Their game selection is exceptional, having online poker tables available whenever you want, user service is excellent, their gaming platform is one of the safest and easiest to use out there, and their loyalty program ensures a return on player investment.

Created in 2001, PokerStars is one of the oldest poker sites, but that doesn't mean it stopped in time. Its gaming software is constantly changing and updating, offering solutions to the needs of players around the world. Since its inception, the site has hosted more tournaments than any other online poker platform. Its software is innovative and can be accessed from Windows and Mac computers and iOS and Android mobile devices.

To create a PokerStars account, simply go to the main menu of the site and click “download and play”. There, you can download PokerStars to install it on your computer or mobile device, create an account from New Zealand and start playing for free or betting money. For security reasons, you cannot access and play PokerStars directly from your browser.

In this review, we detail all aspects of security, reliability, user experience, withdrawal and deposit methods, service, and types of games PokerStars offers.



Security

As the largest online poker site in the world, we expect nothing less than impeccable security technology that protects players from any problems that may arise when betting money online.

Here at New ZealandCasinos, we always recommend that online gaming users who intend to wager money be aware of the site's security issues. For example, the player should know that when making money transactions in casinos and betting sites, it is very important that the site implements standard security technologies. These fulfill an essential role, which is to receive and store sensitive data (personal and financial information) confidentially.

In addition, we recommend that you always read the terms and conditions (i.e., the rules) of the site before registering. This prevents you from getting into trouble for not following any rules and even allows you to get to know how the casino works and treats its users. We also take into account if the terms and conditions are understandable, if they are in English, and if they favor only the company.

It is necessary that the user trusts the site in which he will deposit his time and money, and therefore, allied to security issues are reliability issues. We looked at where the casino was licensed, by whom it is regulated, what its reputation is among users, how the timing of withdrawal works, among other aspects.

Our evaluation process is detailed in the guide to Trusted online casinos . Below, check out the main factors we take into account to determine if a site is safe or not:

  • The site must have a license to operate as an online casino;
  • The site must use recognized gaming software;
  • The site must have technologies to ensure the security of users, such as SSL security certificate;
  • The site should be evaluated by independent auditing companies on a regular basis, who test and evaluate whether the games are being operated through a random number generator.
  • The site should have good user reviews for consumer service and payment policy.


Is PokerStars reliable?

PokerStars is licensed by the Isle of Man Government and regulated by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. It has been active and receiving players since 2001, completing a long journey in online gaming and thus keeping active an immense number of players who bet on the site daily.

New Zealand players can download PokerStars and play for free or by betting money. Unfortunately, the site does not yet accept the New Zealand real (BRL) as the account currency – the software only uses the US Dollar, euro, British pound or Canadian dollar to rule the poker tables – and it is necessary to perform conversions between currencies.

PokerStars is currently owned by The Stars Group. It also owns other online poker sites such as BetStars and Full Tilt, also well-known and renowned sites among poker players.

The trajectory of PokerStars, alone, already assures us that the site is reliable, since it continues to attract new players daily, and keep the old ones. The company also inspires confidence, as it has been in the online gambling market for decades, constantly promoting innovations in the area of online poker.

The group is licensed to operate as a poker site on several continents and the random number generator used is regularly audited by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). Due to the great impact of the PokerStars brand, it is always looking for improvements to continue satisfying its users.



Is PokerStars safe?

PokerStars, one of the best online poker sites , if not the best, follows the common security standard adopted by websites that receive sensitive information from users, using an SSL encryption technology. This encrypts your data at the time of registration and makes it impossible for any third party to intercept them on the web.

Gaming Laboratories International, an independent company that makes sure the site's software is unbiased, is a widely recognized company for conducting product and game testing. Hired by gambling operators and working on behalf of the responsible authorities, GLI verifies the technical compliance of the software in accordance with regulatory and technical standards.

Under PokerStars rules, you can manage your own budget by restricting your weekly deposit limits. This tool can be useful mainly for those who want to control and limit their spending at the online poker tables.

By providing an extensive responsible gambling page, The Stars Group strives to assist and protect players who are at risk of developing potential negative gambling effects through various means, including self-exclusion, guidance, risk identification and first aid tools.



PokerStars bonuses and promotions
PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

Poker Stars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
0% up to $0

To The Top Of The List

Poker Stars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
0% up to $0

To The Top Of The List

Types and quantity of games

PokerStars has been on the online poker scene since 2001, making it one of the oldest poker sites in the world. Today, the brand is the leader in the market and offers one of the best gaming software.

All sports fans can play their favorite type of poker at PokerStars. The selection of games includes Texas Hold'em tables, various versions of Omaha and Seven-Card Stud, Mixed hold'em, Mixed Omaha Hi/Lo, and several others. Some features are only present in PokerStars, such as the innovative Home Games, which allows you to create a group of friends to play with only them.

The brand's software is definitely among the best and sets the standard for everyone else. It provides fast, intuitive gameplay, multi-table functionality and many options that the user can customize as they wish. The only small problem of the site may be the unpredictability of the competition. By welcoming new players every day, and counting on a significant number of experienced players, you never know if you will find strong or weak competition at your table.

On the other hand, there are many tables to choose from, and the most experienced players will know how to take advantage of even the most difficult games. The site advises beginners to be careful when entering the higher limit tables, as they are usually filled by more experienced and confident players.

Another peculiarity of the site is that it allows the user to watch and play against Team PokerStars Pro – the group of professional players of the brand that includes big names in poker such as Daniel Negreanu, Jason Mercier and Vanessa Selbst. PokerStars also offers the opportunity to play live poker events with great prizes in other countries.

By playing regularly on the site, the user can qualify for the biggest poker circuits, such as the European Poker Tour and the Latin American Poker Tour, or even the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, the annual PokerStars poker festival in the Bahamas.



Poker

Unlike the blackjack game , which is based only on luck, poker requires knowledge, strategy and skill. Therefore, the beginner player needs to prepare and practice a lot before entering the tables worth money. In the PokerStars main menu you will find PokerStars School, a special section of the site with poker courses, videos with the PokerStars Team, strategies and Game rules. The beginning player who wants to delve into the sport can start studying there.

We strongly recommend having a good knowledge about the game before you start betting with money, and thus maximize your chances of winning. If you need manuals and introductory guides, you can visit our page on how to play poker step by step.

Here's a look at the types of games you'll find at PokerStars tables:

  • Texas Hold'em
  • Omaha and Omaha Hi / Lo
  • Omaha Hi / Lo
  • Five Card Omaha and 5 Card Omaha Hi / Lo
  • Five Card Draw
  • Seven Card Stud and Stud Hi / lo
  • Razz
  • Single Draw Lowball 2-7
  • Triple Draw Lowball 2-7
  • 8-Game Mix
  • Courchevel and Courchevel Hi / Lo
  • H. O. R. S. E
  • Badugi
  • Fast variants of hold'em and Omaha

Each type of game has different rules and works in a particular way. Make sure you know the rules before joining a table. In addition to all these game types, PokerStars also offers users Zoom Poker, an exclusive version of the site.

Additionally, if you prefer to bet only against your friends, you can create a Stars Poker Club in the Home Games section. This functionality allows you to create cash tables or tournaments especially for you and your friends. You create the group and invite whoever you want to join.

In addition to the extensive number of tables available for all pockets and all types of players, their weekly tournaments attract hundreds of players. Sunday Million, Saturday Line-up, Sunday Billion, Knockout Poker and women's Sunday are just a few of them. Major events such as the World Championship of Online Poker and the Spring Championship of Online Poker are annual and award winners with cash amounts that, in 2017, exceeded one million dollars.

Since we're back on the topic of tournaments, it's worth noting that PokerStars is the best place to play if you're interested in participating in tournaments. The variety is so much that no matter what time of day you log on, you will have a tournament for your budget and with your type of poker game preferred.

Most tournaments have medium or low buy-ins, and generally the latter tend to be the place where the game is easiest. For more experienced players who want to risk more, there are many tournaments with the highest entry and the prize pool (pot) exceeding the million dollar mark. The higher the entry, though, the tougher the competition tends to be.

Another great news is that PokerStars has been expanding its tournaments based on player suggestions and reviews. One of the newest additions is the time tournament, or Time Tourney, which is a tournament with a pre-established minimum and maximum time limit. For example, a tournament can last at least 30 minutes and end in 120 minutes. Thus, players are awarded according to the amount of chips they have at the end of the tournament.



Payment methods

In the top menu of the Site, players, even if without registration, can access the payment options that PokerStars offers, in the tab entitled “Real Money”. But beware, as not all methods available there are offered to New Zealand players. You need to select New Zealand from the drop-down list to see only the methods accepted for New Zealand.

In total, for players betting from New Zealand, PokerStars offers seven deposit methods and four withdrawal methods. You can deposit money into your account through traditional payment methods such as credit cards and boleto Bancario, or try online wallets.

PokerStars governs players ' accounts from four currencies: Euro (EUR), Canadian dollars (CAD), British pounds (GBP) and, most commonly, US dollars (USD). The game software also gives you the option to keep more than one currency in your account.

For withdrawals, PokerStars warns that its users need to be aware that an identity verification may be required before the withdrawal is approved. Check, before registering, if the methods you intend to use are accepted. Otherwise, you will not be able to make deposits or withdrawals on the site. Below, you can see the details about each of them.



Deposit methods

The minimum deposit at PokerStars is always $10, unless otherwise specified. A quick deposit option is available on some payment methods.

When depositing with credit cards at PokerStars or other online casinos in New Zealand , note that some New Zealand banks do not accept transactions made to gambling sites, and so your payment may be rejected. If this is the case, try using another available method.

At PokerStars, you can manage a weekly budget before you start betting. This tool helps the player to control their bets and maintain a game limit.

Method Minimum deposit Maximum deposit Processing time
Trustly Bank Transfer
Visa or Mastercard credit card $ 10 - Immediate.
* Skrill $ 10 - Immediate.
Paysafecard
Neteller $ 10 - Immediate.
Bank Slip $ 10 - A few working days.
AstroPay Card $ 10 - Immediate.
Entropay $ 10 - $ 10
Ecocard
Payr
EcoPayz $ 10 - Immediate.
Paypal
Bitcoin
PokerStarsPay $10 - Up to 72 hours.

* As of February 2018, Neteller and Skrill will no longer be accepting deposit and withdrawal transactions for betting sites and online casinos.



Withdrawal methods

The withdrawal methods offered by PokerStars depend on the player's country of residence. To make a withdrawal from the software, click on "cashier “and select”withdrawal". You must then select an amount for the withdrawal. Withdrawals are released, in principle, through the methods used for deposits. When you apply withdrawals back to previous deposit methods, they are converted to the currency in which the deposits were processed.

We recommend caution when providing your information at the time of registration, as all sites verify users ' information before releasing withdrawals. So make sure you fill in all your details correctly and never use someone else's credit card to make deposits into your account. Below, check out the methods available to New Zealand players.

Method Minimum deposit Maximum deposit Processing time
Bank Transfer
Visa credit card $100 $6,500 A few working days.
* Skrill $100 $50,000 A few working days.
Paysafecard
Neteller $100 $50,000 A few working days.
Bank Slip
AstroPay Card
Entropay
Ecocard
Payr
EcoPayz $50 $5,000 A few working days.
Paypal
Bitcoin

* As of February 2018, Neteller and Skrill will no longer be accepting deposit and withdrawal transactions for betting sites and online casinos.



PokerStars promotions and bonuses

The Special Offers tab, right in the main menu of the site, provides the user with a very extensive list of all promotions and bonuses available at the moment. The site still uses a lot of PokerStars bonus codes, and for each promotion there is a different code.

Bonuses often catch the attention of players because the sites become quite competitive in terms of who offers the best casino bonuses . If you are a new player, before accepting and using any bonus, make sure you have read and understood its rules. Usually, the bonus amount must be wagered by the player x number of times before it can be cashed out. In this sense, only accept the bonus if you intend to continue betting on the site.

PokerStars offers several mini games that you can play to receive special prizes and bonuses, such as PokerStars scratch card, Suit Race, and Spinball. Mini games are available in the challenge window or at regular game tables. Below, see more information about current PokerStars bonuses.

PokerStars bonuses and promotions
PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

PokerStars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
$30

Use bonuses

Poker Stars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
0% up to $0

To The Top Of The List

Poker Stars Bonuses
Welcome bonus
200% up to $1,800

Use bonuses

PokerStars welcome bonus

For new players, PokerStars grants a bonus of 100% the amount of the first deposit. To receive it, you must use the code STARS600 at the time of deposit. The maximum limit for the bonus is $600. However, it is worth noting that the operation of this bonus is a little different from what you may be used to.

Unlike receiving the bonus immediately after your deposit, you still need to earn redemption points by betting at the poker tables. You get 5 redemption points for every dollar you pay out of rake or tournament fees (6.5 points for every pound, 4 points for every Canadian dollar or 5.5 points for every euro).

For every 180 points, PokerStars releases $ 10 in cash for you to play. You have four months after the qualifying deposit to earn all the redemption points needed to clear your bonus.

Loyalty program

The PokerStars loyalty program is called Star Rewards. Like any loyalty program, it is based on the player accumulating points every time they bet money at PokerStars. By accumulating a certain number of points, the player receives a “chest of rewards”. In the chest, the player finds coins (StarsCoin) and personalized rewards, which he can use in the games he wants.

Alternatively, the player can go to the PokerStars Store, or rewards store, and exchange their StarCoins for the most diverse products.



VIP program

PokerStars only offers the loyalty program at this time. For high roller players, however, it is always possible to find tables or tournaments with high entries, in which the pot becomes significant.



User experience and PokerStars mobile

PokerStars software is developed by the company itself and is one of the best available. Stable, fast, it has useful and pertinent features and is highly customizable so that every player can make their gaming experience unique. With an increasing number of players every day, the PokerStars software is constantly being updated, trying to meet the expectations of its users.

The software can be downloaded on Mac and Windows computers and iOS and Android mobile devices. Its design is quite intuitive, showing all the games selected in the lobby and each player that integrates the tables. The software allows multi-table games with up to 24 tables at the same time. An unlimited number of tournaments and sit-and-gos are also available. PokerStars also already has a solid track record in the world of online gambling, which inspires even more confidence to bet on the site.

PokerStars TV, which is also available as an application, still allows the user to take an interest in the news of the poker games , including live streams, TV shows in full, excerpts from the biggest live and online events, and interviews with players. You can watch the brand's tournaments and all the content produced directly from your computer or mobile.



Desktop / Browser

On the computer, the software works excellently on both Windows and Mac. It is fast, friendly and intuitive. The new player will have no problem starting to place their bets. To download PokerStars on your computer, simply connect through your browser and select the “download and play " tab to be directed to the “download PokerStars”link. For the sake of security, it is not possible to play directly from the browser, you need to download the program.

PokerStars App for iOS

Whether on your iPhone or iPad, you can download the PokerStars TV and Jackpot Poker app directly from the App Store and enjoy all the Free Games, tournaments and Spin & Go poker tables exclusive to the app. Unfortunately, in these apps it is not possible to bet with real Money. The functionalities of the applications allow:

  • Jackpot Poker allows you to participate in the fast-paced Spin & Go poker tournaments, with three players and the chance to win up to three thousand times the initial buy-in value of the game. The app also allows you to chat with your opponents during the game through a chat window.
  • PokerStars TV lets you watch new shows, news, live streams and tournament updates at PokerStars events around the world.
PokerStars App-Android

The PokerStars android mobile app allows the user to play exactly as if they were playing on their computer, but from wherever they are. You won't find the app in the Play Store, but the download link is available on the PokerStars website. To install it, open the website in the browser of your android device, and click on the download link of the application.



Live Poker – PokerStars Live

The PokerStars Live channel keeps you informed about PokerStars Championship events and other tournaments and festivals. Additionally, you can get details about upcoming events and check tournament schedules. During events, you can see how many players are registered, find your place or find out how your friends finished in a specific event.

The app provides real-time information and PokerStars Live TV also allows you to check out details of the ring games and satellites that are happening at the events, View official photos and access detailed information of all scheduled poker tournaments.



PokerStars Support

PokerStars support is done by email. The support team responds 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and is incredibly quick and attentive. The site is full of FAQs (frequently asked questions), in case your question is more punctual. Access the tab you want, and select the FAQ to have more information.

If you do not find what you are looking for, you can send an email directly to the service team. The link is always visible on the website and in the game software. Email is currently the only mode of Service. Live chat or phone are not available.

Online Chat
Not available

E-mail
[email protected]

Phone
Not available



Summary of PokerStars

PokerStars is currently the biggest online poker site . With a huge volume of players, it is impossible to have to wait to join a table of your preferred game type. The software is innovative, compatible with Windows, Mac, android and iOS, and has different useful features for players.

The variety of PokerStars games is great, featuring the main types of poker and some lesser-known variants. Tournaments are another positive point, as the brand organizes various events and it is possible to participate in them whenever you want.

The amount of promotions and offers is good, although the welcome bonus is not as rewarding, since it requires you to bet a lot before receiving. Another negative side of the site is that when selecting the currency of the account, there is no option to choose the real New Zealand. This way, if you are playing from New Zealand, all your transactions (deposits and withdrawals) will be converted.

Positive points

  • Extraordinary poker Software with a high volume of players every day.
  • Website fully translated into English.
  • Tournaments big and small, for all players and all pockets.
  • Good amount of bonuses and promotions.
  • Star Rewards loyalty program.
  • Mobile app available.
  • Excellent user service.
  • Free online poker games.
Negative points

  • It only offers email as a means of contact.
  • It does not allow you to select the real as the account currency.
  • The competition is heavier for being a better known site.
  • It could make more withdrawal methods available.
PokerStars review
Security
Types and quantity of games
Available payment methods
Special Offers and bonuses
Mobile and smartphone app
Live Casino
Customer service
4.5
Player Rating (3 / 2)

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Player rating :

This is, without a doubt, the biggest and most popular site for poker lovers. Poker Stars must have a very high volume of players on a daily basis, every time I enter it has a portion of live tables, all available for play. This is good because it makes the game better known and better to play but it also offers extremely heavy competition, after all it has top players who can play the same game with a beginner, the competition is extremely large but the quality of the site, the great offer of bonuses and promotions for old and new users, ... Read more "

Positive
It is without a doubt the best and biggest poker site in New Zealand!
Negative
It is not possible to use the Real currency on the platform.