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Do Not Download PokerStars

9 Reasons not to Download PokerStars

Last Updated: 19 November 2019

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TL;DR: Don't Download PokerStars

In the section below we will provide detailed reasons for why we do not recommend downloading PokerStars. Below is a summary of our reasons for (for anyone who does not feel like reading through the detailed explanations).

Market Dominance is bad for online poker
PokerStars have been steadily increasing rake and decreasing rewards ever since taking over (see point #1)
PokerStars are not innovators, instead "borrowing" good ideas from competitors
Although they present themselves as the morale standard, in 2012 PokerStars were charged with using fraudulent methods to process payments and evade U.S. restrictions on Internet gambling
The Stars Group used to be called Amaya Gaming, but re-branded themselves following the resignation of CEO David Baazov after he was charged with multiple instances of securities fraud
Before purchasing PokerStars, Amaya Gaming bought the Ongame Poker network...and proceeded to run it into the ground. It eventually closed in 2016
PokerStars are more interested in promoting Sportsbetting and the Stars Casino than poker
PokerStars sold their Indian players
High traffic poker sites are a haven for professional cash game grinders, and the variance in tournament results is horrendous

At the bottom of this article, we also provide a list 5 reasons why many players choose to download PokerStars despite the many reasons not to. If the above reasons not to download PokerStars do not concern you, and you wish to download the PokerStars software anyway, you may wish to follow our PokerStars download and installation instructions.

If your biggest reason for joining PokerStars is the number of active tables, then you should instead consider joining PartyPoker. Not only do they have lots of active tournaments and cash games, but they also give better rewards and offer much better customer service!

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If maximizing your rewards while minimizing rake & fees is your goal, then the absolute best site is Americas Cardroom (and they have plenty of active tables as well). In fact, you can earn significantly more rewards with almost any other online poker site. Answer 4 simple questions to find the best poker site for you!

Overall Rating

7.8

Determine your player category:

Casual Players
7.5 7.5
+

	VIP Rewards		22
	Sign-Uup Bonus		88
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		1010
	Tournament. Fees		99
	Sit & Go Fees		77

Enthusiast Players
7.8 7.8
+

	VIP Rewards		22
	Sign-Uup Bonus		99
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		1010
	Tournament. Fees		88
	Sit & Go Fees		77

Amateur Players
7.7 7.7
+

	VIP Rewards		22
	Sign-Uup Bonus		1010
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		1010
	Tournament. Fees		44
	Sit & Go Fees		88

Semi-Pro Players
8.0 8.0
+

	VIP Rewards		33
	Sign-Uup Bonus		1010
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		99
	Tournament. Fees		55
	Sit & Go Fees		1010

Professional Players
6.7 6.7
+

	VIP Rewards		44
	Sign-Uup Bonus		77
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		99
	Tournament. Fees		66
	Sit & Go Fees		1010

Hardcore Pros
7.4 7.4
+

	VIP Rewards		55
	Sign-Uup Bonus		77
	Freeroll Value		11
	Rake		1010
	Tournament. Fees		77
	Sit & Go Fees		1010

Get more RAKEBACK!

Answer 4 simple questions to find the online poker site with the lowest effective rake (rake/fees - rakeback) for your playing preferences!

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5 Reasons Why Players Still Download PokerStars

Even though there are plenty of reasons not to download PokerStars, they remain one of the most popular online poker sites. Below are 5 reasons why many players continue to play poker online with PokerStars:

PokerStars are the most heavily advertised poker site in the world.
As a part of the world's largest poker site, PokerStars offer many games and stakes that smaller sites cannot.
With so many active tables, few sites provide online poker pros with the ability to grind 20+ tables at the same stakes.
PokerStars offer incredibly clean graphics and an industry-leading interface. As the world's largest poker site, PokerStars can afford to heavily invest in security to prevent collusion, data mining, bots, etc.
Poker players do not like change. Players get comfortable with a site's layout and interface and often feel uncomfortable at other sites. As a result, many players continue to play on PokerStars even though they repeatedly increase the cost to play there.

In our opinion, the reasons to not download PokerStars outweigh the reasons to do so. However, if you wish to play poker online with PokerStars anyway, you should follow our PokerStars download and installation instructions.

One of the biggest things to consider when choosing an online poker site is the "net cost" of playing there (i.e. rake & fees minus rewards). The best online poker site we have reviewed for consistently offereing the lowest net cost to play is Americas Cardroom (and they have lots of active tables as well):

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If volume of players is your biggest reason for joining PokerStars, then you should instead consider downloading PartyPoker. They also have plenty of active tournaments and cash games and provide far better rewards and customer service!