PokerStars Ontario Review
Review, FAQ, & New Player Guide
PokerStars Ontario is one of the leading licensed and regulated online poker rooms available in Ontario.
PokerStars Ontario offers a full slate of online tournaments and real money cash games to players in the province across various stakes and features the best selection of different game types.
Players can enjoy all the benefits of the operator’s top-quality software and mobile app, taking advantage of the safe, stable, and visually impressive platform powered by the unique graphics engine.
Get ready to ante up, Ontario! PokerStars Ontario has arrived, bringing with it a fully licensed and regulated real money online poker room.
Whether you prefer desktop or mobile, PokerStars Ontario has top-notch software that keeps you entertained for hours.
PokerStars’ tournaments are iconic and famous around the globe, so Ontario players should expect plenty of hot MTT action. And while the player pool is currently segregated to Ontario players only, there’s always the potential for future expansion. Want to know more about what PokerStars Ontario has to offer?
Check out our comprehensive unbiased review for details on available games, banking options, and more. It’s time to raise the stakes and join PokerStars Ontario!
| PokerStars Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, Spin & Go |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Best desktop platform & mobile apps |
PokerStars Ontario Tournaments
If there is one thing that PokerStars is known for, it is their impressive daily and weekly tournament schedule, and this is true in every market in which they operate.
One of the most significant upsides of PokerStars is that they offer tournaments in poker games other than No-Limit Hold 'em, with a variety of Omaha, Stud, 8-Game, and other tournaments on the schedule.
The player pool in Ontario is somewhat limited right now, so we may not see as many mixed-game tournaments. Still, the operator offers a variety of freezeout, rebuy, knockout, progressive knockout, Zoom, and other games throughout the day.
With stakes ranging from freerolls all the way up to CAD $525 and higher, players of all calibers have something to look forward to in the PokerStars Ontario tournament lobby.
Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP)
Right out of the gate, PokerStars has announced plans for the Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP), continuing the tradition of hosting online championship events in every market it operates in.
The 'COOP series has become a staple of the operator and these events represent some of the biggest and most attractive ones for online tournament players, in the international and local markets alike. They always come with a big number of tournaments, generous guarantees, and a nice variety of game types and formats.
Daily Bigs and Hots
The daily tournament schedule at PokerStars has always been impressive, and the various Big and Hot tournaments have been staples on it for a long time.
Big tournaments feature a deep and slow tournament structure with various buy-ins ranging from just CAD $2.20 and up to CAD $109.
On the other hand, Hot tournaments are turbo games that end pretty quickly but still reward generous prize pools with a similar variety of buy-ins.
These games may not get as many players on the Ontario site as they do at international PokerStars, but they represent an essential part of the daily tournament schedule.
The Sunday Schedule
Each Sunday, PokerStars Ontario offers an extensive list of special tournaments with big guaranteed prize pools and impressive blind structures that players can truly enjoy.
Ontario players participate in an event named New Sunday Majors. This is the operator’s flagship event in the province with a respectable guarantee of CAD $100,000.
SNG and Spin & Gos
Back in the day, SNG tournaments were the staple of PokerStars, with countless players competing at all levels and in all formats of these famous tournaments.
Today, the popularity of SNGs has diminished. However, players at PokerStars Ontario can still quickly jump into an SNG of their choice and get the game started as soon as enough players have registered.
A particularly popular form of SNGs these days is Spin & Go tournaments, which offer rewards up to 10,000x your buy-in while competing against just two other players.
These jackpot SNGs may not be the most convenient form of poker to grind regularly but are certainly an enjoyable and exciting type of poker game to jump into for some quick fun and potentially a nice bankroll boost.
PokerStars Ontario Spin & Go buy-ins & prizes
| Buy-in | Min Prize | Jackpot |
|---|---|---|
| $0.25 | $0.50 | $2500 |
| $1 | $2 | $10000 |
| $2 | $4 | $20,000 |
| $5 | $10 | $50,000 |
| $10 | $20 | $100,000 |
| $25 | $50 | $250,000 |
| $50 | $100 | $500,000 |
- Excellent tournament schedule
- The best variety of game types
- #1 Rated online poker room in Ontario by pokerfuse.com
Cash Games at PokerStars Ontario
While tournaments may be the place to turn a small buy-in into a big first-place prize, it is the cash game tables that keep bringing players to PokerStars daily where they can duke it out for hours on end.
The range of PokerStars Ontario real money cash game tables is quite impressive, although not as extensive as what is available on the international site. You can play No-Limit Hold 'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 6+ Hold 'em, and the unique Tempest format. Other poker variations are offered on occasion, but only in tournaments.
Heads-up, six-max, and full ring tables are available, with stakes ranging from just CAD $0.02/0.05 up to CAD $50/100, although the highest stakes games are not too likely to run regularly.
Still, you can expect to find plenty of action at the CAD $1/2 tables and lower, which means plenty of fun real money cash game action is guaranteed.
The Zoom tables are also available at PokerStars Ontario, but it remains to be seen if enough active players will be available to make these games run on the regular.
Cash games & stakes at PokerStars Ontario
| Game Type | Min Stakes | Max Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| No Limit Hold’em | $0.01/$0.02 | $50/$100 |
| Pot Limit Omaha | $0.01/$0.02 | $50/$100 |
| 6+ Hold’em | $0.02/$0.02 | $5/$5 |
How to Sign Up With PokerStars ON
To join the action on PokerStars ON you need to create an account. Fortunately, signing up is quick and easy with these simple steps:
- Begin by visiting the official PokerStars ON website
- Select Ontario from the state list
- Download and install the PokerStars ON client on your device
- Open the PokerStars app, and click on the green “Join” button located in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Fill in your email, password, and a screenname to use at the tables
- Provide your personal information and ensure that all details are accurate, as you will need to verify them later
- Check your email inbox for a verification link from PokerStars ON
- Click on the verification link to activate your account
- Once your account has been verified, you can log in, deposit funds, claim your bonus, and start playing the games.
Once you have completed these simple steps and your account has been verified, you will be able to access the full range of games and services available on PokerStars ON.
However, it is important to note that in order to participate in real money games on PokerStars ON, players must be located in Ontario, where online poker is legally permitted and must be of legal age.
Additionally, before creating an account, ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements and that you have provided accurate personal information as part of the account verification process. This will ensure that you can fully enjoy the experience on the platform with no interruptions. This includes providing proof of identity and address, as well as confirming your email or phone number.
PokerStars Ontario Banking
At PokerStars Ontario, players can enjoy the convenience and safety of online banking. The operator offers a wide range of safe and secure payment options, protected by high-tech encryption measures to ensure that your personal information and funds are fully protected.
In addition, PokerStars Ontario provides players with access to various responsible gaming tools, allowing you to set deposit and loss limits, giving you full control over your gaming habits.
The operator offers some of the most popular banking options on the site, making it easy for players to find a convenient and secure option, with PayPal usually being the fan favorite for its extra security, ease, and speed.
| Payment Method | Deposits | Withdrawals |
|---|---|---|
| MasterCard | Yes | No |
| Visa | Yes | No |
| Apple Pay | Yes | No |
| Paysafecard | Yes | No |
| Instadebit | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Interac | Yes | Yes |
| MuchBetter | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Transfers | Yes | Yes |
It’s important to note that you must comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding online gambling in your jurisdiction. By using these payment options on PokerStars Ontario, you confirm that you are aware of and will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
PokerStars Ontario Safety & Fairness
As a licensed operator in the province of Ontario, PokerStars is committed to providing a safe and fair online poker experience for its players. As a regulated platform, PokerStars is overseen by iGaming Ontario and must adhere to strict rules and regulations designed to protect players, ensuring the games on the platform are not rigged and that the site operates in an honest and transparent manner.
PokerStars uses advanced technology, including an independently-tested random number generator based on quantum theory, to ensure every hand dealt on the platform is completely random and fair.
The operator has no ability to manipulate the results of games, and players can trust that the games are not rigged. The random number generator has been thoroughly tested and certified by Gaming Labs International (GLI) to meet the standards for highly-regulated jurisdictions.
In addition to ensuring the fairness of its games, PokerStars also takes steps to protect players’ funds and personal information. The platform uses advanced encryption protocols to secure all communication between players and servers, making it impossible for this information to be intercepted or misused.
PokerStars also uses geolocation technology to ensure that all players are physically located within the province of Ontario. Players must be physically present within the province whenever joining real money games (cash tables and tournaments). Any attempt to play from outside the province could result in account closure and potential legal issues.
Overall, players at PokerStars can expect a safe and fair online poker experience thanks to the platform’s adherence to strict regulations and the use of advanced technology to ensure fair play and protect players’ personal information.
PokerStars Ontario App & Software
The PokerStars online poker platform has been one of the very best in the world for many years now, and it continues to be so with the operator constantly updating and upgrading the platform to stay on par with the evolving technologies.
Today, players at PokerStars Ontario can be sure that they will experience online poker for all it can be with one of the most complete and most attractive poker platforms available.
Functionality
From a strictly technical point of view, the PokerStars platform is sensational. Players can download the online poker platform on their desktop computers and iOS and Android-powered mobile devices and experience the same quality level they have grown accustomed to on each device.
The PokerStars Ontario platform is very well-designed and offers many different functionalities. Players can use lobby filters to quickly and effectively find the game types they are looking for or even locate the particular game they want to find by name.
With so many different game types available, the operator categorizes them and arranges them by different game types, buy-in levels, and other criteria, making the PokerStars Ontario lobby a true joy to browse.
Reliability
PokerStars has been granted an operating license by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and iGaming Ontario (iGO), which means the operator is in full compliance with the standards imposed by the regulator and offers a fair and safe gaming environment.
Not only is PokerStars Ontario legal and safe to play on, but the actual platform is one of the most stable ones in the world, with problems like disconnects or system crashes rare and far between.
On top of that, PokerStars has always been known as an operator that takes care of its players, which means that any technical difficulties caused by the operator are always compensated for and taken care of.
Appearance
We finally reach one of the aspects of operation in which PokerStars truly excels, and that’s appearance. Both the lobby and the actual tables at PokerStars look spectacular, all powered by the operator’s Aurora graphics engine.
Players get to pick from various table themes, card and chip designs, and many other elements. Four-color decks, unique avatars, interchangeable seating positions, and much more make PokerStars one of the most graphically appealing pieces of online gambling software in the poker industry and beyond.
- Excellent tournament schedule
- The best variety of game types
- #1 Rated online poker room in Ontario by pokerfuse.com
FAQ
Is PokerStars legal in Ontario?
Yes! PokerStars was one of the first online poker operators to be granted an operating license in Ontario. This means PokerStars can legally offer online poker games to those in the province, receive deposits from local players, and pay out winnings entirely within the confines of the law.
Who can play at PokerStars Ontario?
To play real money poker at PokerStars Ontario, you must be an adult (21 years old). You will need to create a PokerStars account, providing all personal information you are asked for and being able to verify them with copies of real-world documents.
Do I have to be in Ontario to play?
Yes! Like the various poker rooms in the regulated poker markets in the US, PokerStars Ontario only allows players who are physically within the province of Ontario to play real money games.
Does PokerStars Ontario share liquidity with any other areas?
No! At this time, players at PokerStars Ontario can only play within their player pool, which is fully discrete from all other jurisdictions. This means every player at the tables will be a Canadian player playing from within Ontario for the time being.
Is PokerStars Ontario Safe?
Yes! The provincial regulators ensure that every operator meets the strictest requirements for safety and security so that you — and all your information — are kept safe.
All operators are also required to provide a suite of responsible gambling tools to help players mitigate potentially harmful gambling behaviors.
Is PokerStars Rigged?
No! PokerStars — and every other online gambling operator in Ontario — is subject to regular audits to ensure that their gambling platforms are fully random and completely fair.
Latest PokerStars Ontario News
Ontario, Here Comes SCOOP, PokerStars’ Spring Championship Series!
The inaugural ONSCOOP series guarantees over CAD $1.8 million spread over 129 tournaments over two weeks on PokerStars Ontario.
More than $1 Million Won in Bounty Builder Series on PokerStars Ontario
The recent Bounty Builder Series on PokerStars Ontario was almost 50% bigger than the pre-series expectations.
PokerStars Ontario: Spin & Go vs. Spin & Go Flash – Which Is Better?
PokerStars Ontario offers two formats of their popular Spin & Go games, but which one should you go for?
PokerStars Ontario Kicks Off Bounty Builder Series
PokerStars Ontario continues building momentum in 2023, launching another exciting tournament series featuring CAD $700K in guarantees.
PokerStars Ontario 50/50 Series Goes 25% Above Guarantees
The players showed up for the 50/50 Series from PokerStars Ontario with more than 7000 entries across the 50 events.
Here’s What Online Poker in Canada Could Look Like in 2023
Transformative change came down the pike in 2022, but this year Canadians are unlikely to see the same degree of change.
PokerStars Ontario 50/50 Series Has Over $250k Guaranteed
50 games for $50 each is the theme of the week-long tournament series at PokerStars Ontario starting February 5.
Beat the Winter Blues with PokerStars Ontario’s KO Weekend
With Toronto digging out from a massive snowstorm, what better time to stay inside and keep warm with some hot PKO poker action from PokerStars Ontario?
PokerStars Maintains Lead in Fierce Ontario Online Poker Market
The battle for the number one position in terms of cash game traffic seems to have been settled for now with PokerStars Ontario averaging an all-time high.
Ontario Online Poker Cash Game Battle: WSOP vs PokerStars vs BetMGM vs 888poker
An in-depth comparison of all the cash games in the Ontario online poker market. Who will win the title of 'Best Cash Games in the Province?’ Find out here!