The organizer of the first online poker tournaments over a decade ago, PokerStars still holds top place in poker tournaments due to its flawless software, real cash bonuses and its attention to detail when it comes to satisfying its players.

Although licensed in The Isle of Man, the PokerStars company also holds licenses in a number of other countries. This includes the ring-fenced markets of Spain, Italy, and France.

Since 2001, PokerStars was the first online site to host poker tournaments. Due to the highly publicised success of PokerStars qualifiers at the World Series of Poker, the site is regarded as having started the internet poker room craze. Over 100 billion hands have been played, and as it stands, PokerStars represents between 20% and 40% of the total online gambling industry.

Sure the real cash bonuses are great, and the traffic is superb, but it’s the software that makes PokerStars a top online gaming network. When we did a review of PokerStars.com, we felt that the software was for the serious NZ poker player. As soon as you begin playing, you can see that they’ve put a great deal of focus into both usability and playability. Large scale real money tournaments with thousands of players will not cause delays, server issues or slow loading time.

Whether you download the software or play via a browser, you can take advantage of a broad range of features. Table themes, card designs, resizable tables and the changing of position at any table are all possible with the state of the art software. You can take notes on players, chat live with opponents at the table, review hand histories and keep up with the pace of your game using the Time Bank.

The PokerStars rating is well above average because you really get the ultimate ability to customise your own experience. Apart from all the exciting features, you can play in multiple languages, currencies and time zones. The poker games are available for Windows, Mac and smartphone devices. If you’re not a fan of Windows or Mac, you can also play PokerStars.com on Ubuntu (Linux).

Finally, one of the coolest features is the high speed ZOOM poker feature. With ZOOM, you can instantly fold and be moved to a new table with a new hand. This means that the action truly does not stop.

Top of the line poker sites do not let players down by skipping out on the ability to play poker online while on the move. The site offers an assortment of real money apps to download on an array of platforms and mobile devices. The html5 poker app allows you to play poker on an Android device, or an iOS device like the iPad or iPhone

Choose from play money ring games, Sit & Go's and tournaments that suit every skill level. Like on your PC or Mac, when you play poker on a smartphone device, PokerStars allows you to chat with other players, take a quick seat, multi-table and read or listen to tutorials. There are also some neat extra tools to help you to get the most from your game. The PokerStars clock allows you to set up and customise your very own poker tournament amongst your friends or choice opponents. If you just can’t get enough of the game, PokerStars TV will get you to all of the major tournaments, classic clips and poker news fast and easily.

As well as being able to play a full range of poker games, PokerStars’ web cashier allows you to make speedy and secure real money games deposits while mobile, in fact you will have full access to your banking information with the poker site while on a cell phone or tablet device, so you can easily manage your bankroll.

Apart from the generous welcome bonus exclusive to this site, the weekly guarantees are stellar. Every day, there will be an opportunity to add some extra cash to your bankroll. However, the operator seems to focus more on the frequent player program and VIP rewards club.

It seems like almost every day there is something going on at the virtual green felt tables. Every second of every hour, you can join one of many poker room tournaments. From smaller weekend face-offs and women’s only games to the Turbo, Spring and World Championships of Online Poker, you will find it at PokerStars. Seriously, if you’re after tournaments, this is the site you want to be playing at.

Due to the popularity of PokerStars, the game selection is rather enormous. You can find all stakes and all levels at any hour of the day. Choose from Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha-8, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/lo, Razz, H.O.R.S.E., Five Card Draw, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw and many real cash 3D games. At the tables you’ll find resident pros and big name players as well as beginners looking to have a little fun.

PokerStars boasts the highest traffic of any poker site in the world. That's not a bad deal considering they're not currently open to US residents as of publication time. But even with all that traffic, winning a lot of real money can become slightly more challenging because of the competition. This is when it’s important to find tables that are suitable to your skills and bankroll.

If you are a completely new poker player, we should give you a heads up in that there are winning players that hang out at PokerStars to take advantage of those lacking the ins and outs of the game. If you’re not readily prepared for this, we recommend you take a seat at some of the softer tables on Full Tilt or Party Poker.

Overall, the promotions are mediocre at best, but they are enough to entice real money gamblers from New Zealand and all over the planet. When you sign up for an account from this PokerStars review, you’ll get a $600 Welcome Bonus. Like any other bonus, there are terms attached. In any case, when you clear the full amount, it works out as receiving 30% of the rake you’ve paid back into your account. This is pretty average for online poker rooms.

One thing to keep in mind is to avoid entering multiple PokerStars codes when you sign up from NZ. Some players have noted that they lose out on the maximum possible bonus after doing so. Of course, this review of PokerStars.com comes along with the most up to date, and exclusive, bonus codes.

After the initial bonus, there are reload bonuses and other incentives offered. Nonetheless, all are fairly easy to collect.

As a way of rewarding their loyal players, PokerStars offers weekly, monthly, and quarterly freerolls valued at $30,000, $100,000, and $1 million, respectively.

You will also receive Frequent Player Points based on how much rake you contribute during any given month and year. These points can be used in the VIP store to purchase all kinds of cool items, tournament tickets and real cash bonuses.

When we did this 2024 review of PokerStars.com, we found that the site offered more deposit options than most other rooms. You can easily make a deposit using Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Entropay, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, electronic check, Ukash, PaySafeCard, paper check and wire transfer. The operator also takes their very own PokerStars prepaid card. Deposits can be made using an Android, iPhone or tablet device, as well as a computer or laptop. Due to the worldwide client base, the site provides a variety of local payment methods and currencies to ensure ease and efficiency. A deposit is usually instant, but can take a few days for certain methods.

PokerStars pays out by Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Entropay, Ukash, electronic check, mail check and bank wire. Players in select countries may also withdraw by debit and credit cards. The amount of time varies with each method. In general, a real money withdrawal will take between 48 and 72 hours after the initial processing period. Allow more time for checks and bank transfers.

Like the games, the customer support on the PokerStars site is strong. Although they lack instant chat, the operator is very efficient with their email support system in place. We found that the team responds to New Zealand customers on a timely basis and is able to offer their advice on nearly any topic that may come up. If you’re insistent on having a telephone call, you can make a request in your email where you’ll be provided with a number to speak to someone.

This is a high-class organisation, and, like any business dealing with money, security is key for poker sites. PokerStars is able to handle hundreds of thousands of transactions every single day. The gaming system uses state of the art encryption technology, which is constantly being updated. Money is kept in separate accounts and never used for operational purposes. Through this you can almost guarantee that you will always get easy access to your winnings.

Getting started can be done in just a few clicks. Collect your welcome bonus offer and continue through to the site. Sign up for your account and start looking for the perfect table to play at. Remember, if you want to hone your poker room skills, you can always play a few demo rounds first.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re most likely considering giving what is one of many Kiwi players’ all time favourite online poker sites a try. And why not? This New Zealand poker site is truly the best of the best. If you want action, fun and a real chance to win big, pull up a virtual seat at PokerStars.com.

Our Poker Stars Rating: 8/10