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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).
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 |
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:
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):
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!
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