Review of PokerStars Online Poker in Ontario

In 2022, Ontario established a comprehensive regulatory framework for online gambling, introducing one of the industry leaders in poker – PokerStars. As with its global counterpart, the Ontario version provides an excellent user experience and ample gaming opportunities.

This review of PokerStars Ontario covers everything from the account creation process to the variety of poker games available, plus how it stacks up against other online poker platforms.

PokerStars Ontario At a Glance

Steps to Create an Account on PokerStars Ontario

If you want to start playing poker on PokerStars in Ontario, the account setup is straightforward. Note that you must be within the province to access the platform. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

• Step 1 – Begin by visiting the PokerStars Ontario homepage through the links on this page and click the 'Join' button.
• Step 2 – You will be directed to a registration form where you need to enter basic information, including your name, address, email address, username, and other necessary details. An email confirmation will be sent to verify your address.
• Step 3 – After confirming your address, you’ll be set to make your first deposit and jump into poker games, ranging from casual cash tables to major tournaments. The whole setup should only take a few minutes.

Now is a perfect time to explore the responsible gaming features. These allow you to set deposit limits and other preferences to ensure your gaming experience remains enjoyable and within your personal limits.

General Overview of PokerStars Software

Since its inception in 2001, Stars has consistently been at the forefront of the online poker sector, particularly in terms of software excellence. From the very beginning, engaging in real money games has been straightforward and user-friendly.

Online players will discover one of the industry's most user-friendly platforms with a well-organized lobby, customizable features, and much more. This applies to PokerStars Ontario too, whether you're interested in cash games or participating in weekly tournaments with guaranteed prize pools.

Customization Features and Player Choices

PokerStars stands out as a leading online poker platform, offering a comprehensive suite of features. You can easily tailor the tournament lobby to highlight your preferred real money games and competitions.

For cash game enthusiasts, lobby filters make it simple to find specific stakes without sifting through every game option available, which includes Texas Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha, among others. Multi-table tournament players can likewise filter events to match their bankroll and preferences.

Players have the freedom to adjust their settings even while playing, selecting from various table styles and color schemes. Ontario players have access to a wide range of options similar to those on the international platform.

Comparing the PokerStars Ontario App to the Desktop Version

Both the app and desktop client for PokerStars provide an enjoyable experience for those who love online poker, particularly for PokerStars users in Ontario. However, players must be physically present in the province to participate.

While using the desktop client, players encounter highly intuitive software, making entry into cash games or tournaments a breeze. The real money poker tables are visually engaging and offer straightforward options for betting, raising, and folding. Those interested in multi-tabling can even manage up to 24 tables simultaneously.

The PokerStars mobile application is another excellent resource for online poker fans. The same selection of poker games and tournaments found on the desktop client is also accessible via the mobile app. You can dive into real money games with just a couple of taps on your mobile device, whether it’s a Mac iOS or Android product.

Getting Started with PokerStars Desktop Software

If you want to try out PokerStars Ontario's poker platform, the download process is quick and easy, allowing you to make your initial deposit and play for real money. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started.

• Step 1 – Click the links on this page to visit the official PokerStars Ontario site and look for the 'Download Now' button. This will prompt the download of the poker software application.
• Step 2 – Once the download is finished, simply execute the file to install the software client on your computer. PokerStars Ontario supports both Windows and Mac operating systems.
• Step 3 – After the installation wraps up, launch the software and log in with the username and password you previously set up.

Overview of the PokerStars Ontario Mobile App

Since its debut in January 2012, PokerStars has asserted itself as a leader in mobile gaming. The PokerStars Ontario mobile lobby is user-friendly, featuring convenient tabs for filtering tournaments, cash games, sit & go’s, Spin & Go’s, and more. Like the traditional software client, players can effortlessly filter based on cash stakes, buy-ins, and game speed.

Players interested in participating in significant online tournament series will find opportunities through the PokerStars Ontario app. Engaging in events like the Ontario Spring Championship of Online Poker (ONSCOOP) is just a click away. Additionally, those who enjoy various forms of online betting can easily access casino games and sports betting through PokerStars Ontario.

Positives of the App

• Fully authorized by Ontario's regulatory bodies
• Simple to play with a single hand
• A diverse selection of games and tournaments is available, including major online tournament series.

Negatives of the App

• No customer support team phone number
• Ring-in online poker environment

How to Download the PokerStars Ontario Mobile App

Downloading the PokerStars Ontario mobile app is a straightforward procedure. For iOS users, just go to the App Store and search for 'PokerStars ON'. Android users should perform a similar search in the Google Play Store. Once you find the app, initiate the download as you would for any other mobile application. After it’s complete, log in and begin your online poker journey.

Tournaments on PokerStars Ontario

Numerous poker games and tournament variants that are part of the international Stars offerings have made their way to PokerStars Ontario. Players can choose from a wide range of games and buy-in levels.

Significant tournament series offer participants a chance to earn prestigious titles and claim bragging rights. You can even engage in these events on the move via the PokerStars Ontario app. Here are some tournament series and weekly events worth checking out.

Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP)

This is Ontario's take on the well-known 'COOP' series featured in many other regions. Ontario players can anticipate numerous events with varying buy-ins and tournament types. The schedule also includes mixed-game tournaments, featuring options like limit hold'em and Omaha.

Bounty Builder Series

This event is PokerStars Ontario's bounty series, featuring both traditional bounty tournaments and progressive knockout (PKO) formats. In a traditional bounty tournament, part of the prize pool is allocated for regular payouts while the other half is set aside as a bounty on each player. Eliminating an opponent grants you that cash.

In a progressive bounty tournament, you'll earn part of your bounty but the remainder adds to your own bounty value. This aspect raises the stakes for each knockout, leading to exciting strategic decisions later in the tournament.

In Ontario, PokerStars provides buy-in options ranging from $10 to $500 for the Bounty Builder Series, alongside different formats including turbo and hyper-turbo. This exciting series is worth a look for players at any skill level.

Daily Tournaments

For those who prefer competing against large fields instead of cash games, there are plenty of daily tournaments available. These tournaments cater to all bankroll sizes and come with appealing guarantees. Here’s a snapshot of some standout events:

• $100 Daily Kickoff – $2,000 guaranteed (Monday – Saturday)
• $500 Daily Super High Roller – $10,000 guaranteed (Monday – Saturday)
• $200 Daily Cooldown PKO – $2,500 guaranteed (Monday – Saturday)
• Big $200 – $2,800 guaranteed (daily)
• $100 Fast Friday – $2,500 guaranteed (Friday)
• $20 Saturday Duel (Heads-Up, Zoom, PKO) – $1,000 guaranteed (Saturday)

Sunday Schedule

Sundays typically represent the pinnacle of the online poker week, showcasing the largest player fields and payouts in weekly tournaments. The marquee event of the day is the $100 Sunday Special, which boasts an impressive $35,000 guaranteed prize pool, the highest on the Ontario site.

All tournaments are accessible on the PokerStars app in Ontario as well. Here’s what to expect from the major events on Sundays.

• $22 Double Deuce – $1,500 guaranteed (Saturdays and Sundays)
• $50 Sunday Marathon – $2,000 guaranteed
• $100 Sunday Starter – $3,000 guaranteed
• $100 Sunday Warm-Up – $5,000 guaranteed
• $200 Sunday Cooldown PKO – $3,800 guaranteed
• $100 Sunday Special – $35,000 guaranteed

The Bigs & The Hots

PokerStars Ontario offers two formats for tournament play, referred to as 'Bigs' and 'Hots.' In a Big event, you can expect larger starting chip stacks along with longer tournament durations. In contrast, Hot tournaments progress more rapidly and conclude in a shorter time frame.

Both tournament types feature a wide range of buy-in options, from $2.20 to $109. Players can find plenty of these events while navigating the PokerStars Ontario app.

Tournament Rake

'Rake' refers to the percentage that the casino, poker room, or online operator retains to cover operational costs, staff salaries, and other expenses. This is the way the operator generates revenue, and all players contribute to this fee when participating in cash games or tournaments.

In cash games, the casino typically takes a minor percentage from each pot that is won. However, in tournaments, players usually pay an entry fee which includes a fee for the house as well. For instance, at PokerStars Ontario, the typical house fee falls in the 10% range, with this fee applied to each buy-in for tournaments.

For example, if you participate in a $2.20 tournament, you would see $2 allocated to the prize pool while the house collects a fee of $0.20. Similarly, for a tournament buy-in of $109, $100 would contribute to the prize pool with $9 going into the casino's hands.

Cash Games at PokerStars ON

If you prefer cash games, PokerStars Ontario has a diverse selection of games and stakes for you to consider. Unlike tournaments, cash games give you the flexibility to join or leave at any time, allowing you to engage in real-money play without the time pressures that tournaments involve.

Poker Options Available on PokerStars Ontario

Poker encompasses a wide variety of games that include multiple types, stakes, and formats. Let’s explore what cash game alternatives you can find on the platform.

Popular Cash Games

While PokerStars may not have every single poker game found on their international platform, the Ontario version still provides numerous variations for those who enjoy cash games. It's easy to either jump into an existing game or leave one and find another table that suits your interests. Here’s a snapshot of some of those options.

No Limit Hold 'em

One of the most recognized and widely played types of poker is No Limit Hold'em, a staple in televised poker tournaments like the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. At PokerStars, you can find a broad range of stakes—from beginner-friendly micro stakes to the highest limits that the platform offers. No Limit Hold'em is engaging and strategic, making it essential for players to understand hand rankings and gameplay mechanics.

Pot Limit Omaha

Another favored variant is Pot-Limit Omaha, where players receive four cards and must use exactly two of those cards in combination with community cards to form the best hand. If you're seeking PLO action, you’ll find it readily available in Ontario.

6+ Hold 'em (Short Deck Hold'em)

A twist on the classic Hold'em, this variation has gained a lot of popularity recently. It employs a reduced deck, eliminating all 2s through 5s, which leaves players with just 36 cards in play, resulting in exhilarating gameplay and larger hands.

Online Poker Game Variations

The games mentioned previously are among the favorites at PokerStars Ontario. However, there are also mixed game formats that may occasionally feature other variants, such as Seven Card Stud, both High and Hi/Lo, and beyond. These additional games sometimes appear in tournament formats as well during major series events.

Before you dive into the tables, investing some time in strategy can enhance your gaming experience. Familiarizing yourself with the rules, ranking of hands, and specific game formats can greatly improve how much you enjoy playing.

You also have a variety of formats to choose from, including heads-up, six-max tables, and full ring games. While this may not be the same extensive selection as found on the international PokerStars site, there’s certainly enough variety here to interest most players.

Multi-Table Games

Tournaments often involve multiple tables, but there's also the quick and entertaining option of single table sit and go tournaments. They can accommodate six or nine players and come in both standard and turbo formats. Heads-up tables are also available, and the sit and go tournaments offer buy-in levels for all kinds of players.

Spin & Go tournaments offer a fast-paced gaming experience. These three-player, winner-take-all events begin with a random prize amount—often double the buy-in, but occasionally reaching up to 10,000 times the buy-in depending on the specific Spin & Go variant. These games are perfect for players looking for quick entertainment, especially when using the mobile app.

Home Games

PokerStars Home Games presents a unique opportunity not found on many platforms. This feature allows players to create their own poker clubs and play against their friends online, whether in cash games or tournaments. It's easy to connect with friends through PokerStars and customize your gaming experience.