PokerStars is the most famous brand in online poker. Real money games were first introduced in December 2001 and they took over the first place being the world’s largest online poker room in 2006 when Partypoker withdrew from the US market. Today, they’re competing with GGPoker on who’s to be the top online poker site.
Here is a rundown of the main tactical characteristics of the site, you can click on any term to jump to its respective section.
OVERALL POKERSTARS RATING
Pros
- Largest PLO & mixed-game ecosystem
- HUD support allowed
- Stable, regulated brand
Cons
- Games often tough at mid/high stakes
- Ring-fenced markets reduce liquidity in some regions
When players ask where to play poker online in 2026, PokerStars remains one of the most structurally complete answers — particularly for players focused on PLO online. It may not dominate every single category individually, but in terms of ecosystem depth, liquidity, and variant coverage, it remains one of the best PLO poker sites available.
Restricted Countries & Ring-Fenced Markets
PokerStars operates multiple segregated markets:
- International (.COM-style) pool
- United Kingdom
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Several U.S. state markets
PokerStars US
Currently you’re able to play PokerStars from three States, namely: Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Each state has its own pool of players but it’s expected that in the future PokerStars will be able to combine the player pools.
Site conditions
Reliability
Being the most successful online poker site in the industry and yet running its operations for over 20 years, PokerStars is one of the most reputable brands in the market. They’re active in a lot of countries where players have restricted access to poker sites due to strict gambling regulations, such as France and Portugal.
Next to their online operations, PokerStars is very active in the live poker scene. They’re sponsoring the following poker tours: the European Poker Tour (EPT), Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) and their own PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC).
PokerStars offers a mobile app for smartphones that is compatible with iOS and Android systems. Similar to the client software, the mobile functionality and user experience are probably the best in the market.
Welcome Bonus
PokerStars offers a 100% First Deposit Bonus up to $600. There’s a clearance rate of 20%, so you need to rake $3k in order to clear the full bonus. You’ll have four months (120 days) to clear the full bonus, which is probably the longest period offered in the poker industry.
A minimum deposit of $10 by new players will be matched as a bonus up to a maximum of $600. Make sure to use the PokerStars bonus code ‘STARS600’ while depositing.
Rake Structure & Rewards
A similar rake structure to No-Limit Hold’em applies for Pot-Limit Omaha. The rake structure for low stakes is better compared to the average market conditions. Although effectively the rake caps are hardly ever met, the lowered percentage charged per pot is beneficial since most sites are charging 5%.
For the PLO50 to 200 stakes, the rake structure is better than the regular 5% and $3 cap. From PLO400 to 600 the structure is pretty much in line with the market, definitely not worse. At the high stakes, from PLO1k and higher, PokerStars is clearly outperforming competitors.
Rake caps are showing for 6-handed tables including the percentage charged per pot.
A lot of players are interested in how rake is reflecting in bb/100. By conducting our own research and comparing rake structures we come to this broad conclusion:
Rakeback
In 2017, PokerStars removed their famous Supernova Elite program where high volume players earned up to around 69% in rakeback after generating $100,000 in rake in a single year.
Then the Stars Rewards program was introduced. Many regulars left as this shift led to an average long-term rakeback of around 5%. In 2019, the value of the ‘chest rewards’ was reduced even further.Â
On October 1, 2021, PokerStars introduced its new rakeback system. The same six chest tiers are being used although the value is static this time, not variable. Players earn a minimum of 15% rakeback and this can grow to a fixed 25% by raking $1,000 in a month, as you earn 100 rewards points per $1 raked.
Monthly challenges are offered in addition that can add up to another 40% in rakeback. These challenges are customized. Some players are offered a challenge where you can earn an additional 10%, whereas someone else can gain 40% by completing his challenge. The difficulty of completing a challenge varies as well. The new system is much more transparent compared to the prior reward system.
If you rake over $1,000 a month and complete your 10% challenge, you’ll earn 35% rakeback. If you rake the same amount and complete a 40% challenge, you’ll even get 65% in rakeback.
Database/HUD Support
PokerStars allows third-party HUDs within policy guidelines.
- Hand histories are downloadable
- Tracking software like PokerTracker, Hold’em Manager or Hand2Note is supported
- Real-time assistance tools are restricted
For database-driven players, this remains an important advantage over more restrictive platforms.
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Traffic & Game Availability
PokerStars continues to operate one of the deepest global player pools in online poker. Cash games run consistently throughout the day, and this includes strong liquidity in Pot Limit Omaha across multiple stakes.
For players comparing the best Omaha poker sites, the key advantage here is stability. Tables do not disappear during off-hours, tournament guarantees are reliable, and liquidity remains predictable across sessions.
In addition to 4,5,6-card Pot Limit Omaha coverage, as well as Hi/Lo, PokerStars still leads the industry in mixed-game depth, including 8-Game, HORSE, Stud variants, and Draw formats.
For players who want more than just 4-card when they play PLO online, this structural breadth is unmatched among top poker sites.
Benefits
Heads Up Games
In the last decade, most online poker sites removed their heads-up tables. At PokerStars, both NLHE and PLO heads-up games are still being offered. The lowest stakes to play 1 versus 1 in both formats is $0.25-$0.50 and go up to $50-$100 blinds!
The rake for heads up games in both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, is 5% per pot with a rake cap of $0.75 (at $0,25-$0,50 blinds), $1 ($0.50-$1), $1.25 ($1-$2) and $1,50 from $2/$4 up to $3/$6 blinds.
At higher stakes only 4.5% is being charged per pot and the rake cap is $1.50 at $5-$10 blinds, $1.75 ($10-$20), $2.25 ($25-$50) and $2.50 ($50-$100).
Final Verdict
PokerStars in 2026
PokerStars has always been among the top trafficking sites and not without reason. It’s the most famous brand worldwide with likely the best software, and a huge tournament offer that will always attract players.
Their solid rakeback system in combination with a good rake structure compared to most other online poker sites, especially for high stakes, keeps PokerStars among the top options to play PLO online.
