PokerStars PA ReviewIf you want to play real money online poker in Pennsylvania, you cannot go wrong with PokerStars. The first site to launch in the regulated market, the operator offers something for all players. The MTT schedule is jam-packed with daily and weekly events as well as major tournament series. For cash game players, PokerStars hosts a great variety of game types across all buy-ins.

Cash game players will find the largest variety of options. The poker site features stakes starting as low as $0.01/$0.02 and going all the way up to $25/$50. The selection of variations is just as wide, with Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Badugi, Mixed Games, and more

Players can enjoy their sessions at home and on-the-go thanks to the top-quality PokerStars PA app available for Android and iOS devices. In fact, if you prefer to play on your phone, this is probably the best mobile platform available at the moment.

The generous welcome package consisting of a no deposit bonus as well as a generous deposit bonus package is there to get you started on the right foot and ready to get into some action.

In this in-depth, unbiased PokerStars PA Review, you will find all the information you need to decide whether you want to play here. We cover all important aspects, such as bonuses, rewards, deposits, withdrawals, game selection, and much more.

PokerStars PA: Key Facts
Main HighlightLeading Operator in Pennsylvania
🚀 Date LaunchedNovember 4, 2019
🤑 Freeplay Bonus$150 in freeplay after playing one cash hand
💰 Deposit Match Bonus100% up to $600 with code STARS600
🏆 PokerStars TournamentsPA Championship of Online Poker (PACOOP), PA Spring Championship of Online Poker (PASCOOP), Bounty Builder
🏦 BankingPayPal, MasterCard, Visa, Bank Transfers/ACH, Skrill, PayNearMe, Vanilla Direct
🎁 RewardsPokerStars Rewards

Can I Player PokerStars in Pennsylvania?

Yes, PokerStars PA is fully licensed and regulated online poker site in PA, overseen by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). This makes it a fully legal operator open to all US residents physically present within Pennsylvania borders and at least 21 years old, which is the minimum legal gambling age in the state.

PokerStars PA Welcome Bonuses

Welcome Bonuses
4.5
Generous

As part of its Welcome Bonus, PokerStars Pennsylvania is offering online poker players two ways to pad their bankrolls while trying out their skills at the tables. You can only claim one of these Welcome Bonuses, so choosing the best bonus for you depends on how much you will play or can deposit.

PokerStars Bonus Code

Depending on the welcome bonus you are looking to claim, you may or may not need a PokerStars bonus code. The $150 bonus play is available to all new players from the challenges section, and you do not need to use any special promo codes to claim it. Simply opt in, meet the requirement (play one cash hand), and the bonus will be triggered.

For the 100% match bonus, you will need to use the PokerStars bonus code STARS600. Using this code will lock you into the deposit match offer, so, decide which bonus you prefer before signing up and proceed accordingly.

$150 Bonus Play

Players new to PokerStars PA looking to boost their bankrolls will probably appreciate the operator’s revamped bonus offer. If you are joining the operator, you can easily get $150 worth of bonus funds.

There is no minimum deposit requirement attached to this welcome offer. To claim it, players need to follow a simple procedure:

This will trigger the PokerStars PA no deposit bonus, which is issued in the form of Spin & Go tickets, casino cash, and bonus spins. The bonus will appear in the player’s account as follows:

  • Day 0: 2x$5 Spin & Go ticket & 50 $1 Spin & Go tickets
  • Day 1: 50 bonus spins for casino slots
  • Day 2: 2x$5 & 1x$10 Spin & Go tickets
  • Day 3: $10 casino bonus
  • Day 4: 2x$10 tickets
  • Day 5: $30 casino bonus

One important rule concerning the PokerStars PA $150 Bonus Play offer is that it must be claimed and activated within the first five days of opening the account with the operator. Once this period passes, the offer will no longer be available, but everyone can still take advantage of the generous PokerStars PA deposit bonus.

100% Deposit Bonus up to $600: Use PokerStars Promo Code STARS600

Those with more time to play or a bigger bankroll may want to take advantage of the 100% Deposit Match Bonus of up to $600.

To get the most from this bonus, make your first real money deposit with the PokerStars Bonus Code STARS600. You can still max out on this bonus even if you don’t deposit the entire $600 the first time because your first three real money deposits count towards this promotion as long as you make them within the first 60 days and use the PokerStars Bonus Code STARS600 with each one.

This is a pretty much universal PokerStars promo code that the operator has been using for years across its various international and US sites, so you might already be familiar with it. As long as you are a new customer making your first few deposits with the site, this PokerStars promo code will unlock access to the 100% match bonus of up to $600.

You then have 120 days to clear the PokerStars deposit bonus by earning the required number of redemption points. You will be credited with $10 of your bonus for every 140 redemption points you earn. That works out to a return of 35% for every dollar of rake and tournament fees you pay while playing.

Depositor Freeroll Ticket

In addition to the bonus money from each of the Welcome Bonus Offers, players will also receive a free ticket to the Depositor Freeroll, which runs on the last Sunday of each month at 18:00 ET. This is part of the package, so you do not need a special promo code to receive the tickets.

It is important to always check to make sure you have received your bonus. Go to the My Stars menu in the PokerStars main lobby to do so. There you can verify that you have received the bonuses and see other relevant details, such as expiration dates and redemption point requirements.

PokerStars PA: Overview

PokerStars became the first operator offering real money online poker in Pennsylvania when it soft-launched on the afternoon of Monday, November 4, 2019. After live-testing some of the consumer-facing components of the software for eight hours on the first day and 10 hours the next day, PokerStars PA went fully live on Wednesday, November 6.

With a population of 13 million, Pennsylvania is the largest state so far to have legalized online poker.

Until May of 2021, PokerStars PA was the only regulated online poker site in Pennsylvania. However, two of the three brands powered by the partypoker US Network, Borgata Poker PA and BetMGM Poker PA, have also joined the state’s regulated market. Then WSOP PA joined the fray, launching in the state with its new software.

PokerStars PA features several strong aspects that will help keep it at the top of the food chain even when new operators enter the market.

The first and most obvious one is the operator’s ability to host large tournaments. With series such as PACOOP, PASCOOP, and a variety of daily and weekly tournaments with large guaranteed prize pools, PokerStars will remain the place to go for tournament players, and others will have quite a bit of catching up to do.

If you are a cash game player, no other operator offers the kind of diversity found at PokerStars. On top of traditional options, i.e. Hold’em and Omaha, PSPA features stud tables, 5-Card Draw, and even Badugi. There are also mixed games for the more experienced ones, so the room covers a wide array of options.

The PokerStars software still remains the best in the industry as well. Other stakeholders have made some significant improvements in this area as of late, but they still have some work to do. GGPoker has probably come the closest in this regard, but they are also the one operator whose launch in PA is still under a fairly big question mark.

PokerStars PA Promotions

Promotions
4.3
Good spread

PokerStars PA has done a good job with its promotions section, creating an environment that is both engaging and rewarding, adding to the overall gaming experience on top of the no deposit bonus and the first deposit boost.

Players can find a variety of promos through the “Challenges“ section of the software. Here, you will find all sorts of tasks you need to complete to receive extra rewards. To get involved, you must manually confirm your participation, which is important to keep in mind.

With some promotions, there might be a special promo code involved, too, and if you receive one of these from the operator, make sure to use it when claiming the offer.

The best way not to miss out is to regularly check out what challenges are available and get involved with any that seem interesting and/or doable. There is no downside to doing this as if you do not complete a challenge, you will not get the reward.

Stars Rewards

Rewards
3.2
Good for casual

PokerStars PA offers a personalized rewards system called Stars Rewards that provides extra value to players as they play real money online poker games on the site as well as iGaming at Stars Casino and sports betting at FOX Bet sportsbook.

As with any rewards or loyalty scheme, it is important to understand how the system works in order to maximize your potential value.

Because Stars Rewards is personalized to reward each player based on the games they play, the types and amounts of the rewards received will vary from player to player, but read on to find out how the system works.

  • All of the information about your rewards can be found in the My Stars area of the PokerStars PA lobby
  • Players earn Reward Points for real money play across all verticals (poker, casino, and sports)
  • Each Reward Point advances a player’s Progress Bar
  • When a Progress Bar is completed, the player will be awarded a Chest which contains prizes such as StarsCoin (the Stars Rewards currency) and Bonus Play
  • StarsCoin can be redeemed at the Rewards Store for PokerStars merchandise, electronics, tournament tickets, and even cash!
pokerstars
Last verified: March 2024
Great Welcome Bonus!
100% deposit bonus up to $600!
  • Play one hand & get $150 in bonus play funds
  • Top-quality mobile app
  • Best online MTT schedule
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Rewards Points

The rate at which you earn Reward Points depends on a number of factors, including your frequency of play, game type, and net deposits.

As a general guide, PokerStars provides the following guidelines for earning Reward Points at each vertical:

  • Poker: PokerStars PA — 100 Reward Points earned for each $1 paid in rake and tournament fees
  • Casino: Stars Casino PA — Reward Points earned at the casino vary greatly, with multiple rates applied within each grouping of games (slots, table games, and video poker). It is best to refer to the documentation provided by Stars Casino to determine how many Reward Points you will earn at your favorite casino games.
  • Sports: FOX Bet PA — Single bets provide 1.7 Reward Points for each $1 wagered. Multiple bets will get you 4.7 Reward Points for each $1 wagered.

Chests

After you earn enough Reward Points to complete your Progress Bar, you will be awarded a Chest that contains a reward in the form of tournament tickets, promotional items, and StarsCoin. There are six types of Chests. The higher the level, the greater the value of the rewards it contains.

PokerStars Chest Levels & Prizes

  1. Level 1: Blue Chest — $0.36 to $6
  2. Level 2: Bronze Chest — $0.72 to $12
  3. Level 3: Silver Chest — $1.80 to $30
  4. Level 4: Gold Chest — $6 to $100
  5. Level 5: Diamond Chest — $15 to $250
  6. Level 6: Black Chest — $42 to $700

Chests can be opened at any time after they are earned, but unopened Chests expire after three calendar months and can no longer be opened, and your reward will be lost.

PokerStars Tournaments

Tournaments
4.8
World leader

PokerStars is known the world over for hosting the best online poker tournaments, and its poker site in Pennsylvania upholds that reputation, deserving some extensive coverage in this review.

Players at PokerStars PA have a wide variety of tournaments to choose from, with all the popular tournament formats on offer, including MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments) and SNGs (Sit N Go Tournaments).

Due to what is believed to be regulatory reasons, the relatively new and immensely popular Spin & Go’s (Jackpot Tournaments) are currently unavailable in Pennsylvania.

MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments)

Running day and night, PokerStars PA has a full slate of Multi-Table Tournaments available in a wide range of buy-ins and in a variety of different poker games, including:

  1. Hold’em
  2. Omaha
  3. Stud
  4. 5-Card Draw
  5. Badugi
  6. Mixed Games

PokerStars PA also has a full schedule of Sunday Majors with some of the biggest guaranteed prize pools of the week.

PokerStars PA also runs a number of Tournament Series with big guarantees throughout the year. These high-profile series regularly guarantee $1 million or more in prize money and typically come with the opportunity for players to win their way into tournaments with big guaranteed payouts.

Since dealing the first hands of legally regulated online poker in the state, PokerStars PA has run such series as PACOOP (Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker), PASCOOP (Pennsylvania Spring Championship of Online Poker), Bounty Builder Series, Winter Series, Summer Series, and more.

SNGs (Sit N Go Tournaments)

Players looking for the tournament series without devoting large chunks of time to playing will enjoy the SNGs on offer at PokerStars PA. These single-table tournaments are available in both No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO).

There is also a choice of 6-handed tournaments played at Turbo speed, and heads-up tournaments played at Hyper-Turbo speed.

Spin & Go’s

PokerStars’ popular jackpot sit-and-go tournaments are available in Pennsylvania. Players can compete in Spin & Go’s across different levels, starting from just $1 and going up to $25.

Each Spin & Go is played three-handed, and it kicks off as soon as the required number of players has registered. Before the start, the random prize multiplier is assigned to the tournament, starting at 2x the buy-in, but reaching as high as 1000x the buy-in.

In most cases, only the winner gets paid. However, if you trigger one of the highest three multipliers, i.e. 1000x, 160x, or 80x, you will be guaranteed a payout as the second and third-place finishers will also receive consolation prizes.

If you are interested in how the odds of triggering particular multipliers stack up, check out the table below:

First Prize Multiplier Odds of Triggering
2000x 1 in 200,000 (0.001%)
200x 5 in 200,000 (0.004%)
100x 15 in 200,000 (0.008%)
25x 200 in 200,000 (0.1%)
10x 2000 in 200,000 (1%)
5x 16,000 in 200,000 (8%)
3X 84,042 in 200,000 (41.93%)
2x 97,737 in 200,000 (48.96%)

PokerStars PA Spin & Go buy-ins & prizes

Buy-in Min Prize Jackpot
$1 $2 $2000
$5 $10 $10.000
$10 $20 $20,000
$25 $50 $50,000

Cash Games

Cash Games
4.3
Biggest Selection

No other online poker operator in the US offers a wider variety of cash games than PokerStars.

The highly popular No-Limit Hold’em is available at 6- and 9-handed tables with stakes ranging from $0.01/$0.02 at the micro-stakes tables all the way up to $25/$50 at the high-stakes tables.

PokerStars PA also spreads other popular poker variants, including:

  • Limit Hold’em
  • Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
  • PL Omaha H/L
  • Limit Omaha H/L
  • PL 5 Card Omaha
  • Limit Stud
  • Limit Stud H/L
  • Limit Razz
  • PL 2- 7 Triple Draw
  • Limit 2- 7 Triple Draw
  • 8 Game

It is easy to find action at the NLHE and PLO tables almost every time of the day and night, but if you are looking to play some of the other less popular variants, your best chance of finding a game is to visit the room at night and on weekends, as these are the times when the poker site sees the most traffic.

That is not to say that you can’t find action at other games during off hours, but be prepared to play short-handed or potentially sit and wait for opponents.

Cash game games & stakes at PokerStars PA

Game Type Min Stakes Max Stakes
No Limit Hold’em $0.01/$0.02 $25/$50
Pot Limit Omaha $0.01/$0.02 $25/$50
Mixed Games $0.25/$0.50 $100/$200

PokerStars PA Traffic History

Month PokerStars PA Other sites Market share
Feb 23 210 135 61%
Mar 23 205 130 61%
Apr 23 165 105 61%
May 23 145 110 57%
Jun 23 190 110 63%
Jul 23 195 110 64%
Aug 23 180 110 62%
Sep 23 170 115 60%
Oct 23 170 110 61%
Nov 23 175 115 60%
Dec 23 185 115 62%
Jan 24 185 140 57%

Player Traffic

PokerStars is the absolute leader in terms of player traffic in Pennsylvania. PokerStars PA regularly hits over 200 concurrent users on the platform, which is significantly higher than other operators in the state.

Good traffic is one of the most important aspects of an online poker room as it is a guarantee that players can find enough action at cash game tables, and they do not have to wait long to get in the games.

How to Sign Up at PokerStars PA

If you have not played at PokerStars PA before and are looking to join the action, you will first need to create your account. You do not have to be in Pennsylvania to do this, but you will have to be in the state to actually play the games. To get started, follow these simple steps:

  • Visit the PokerStars PA website
  • Click on the green “Join” button located in the upper right corner
  • On the first screen, enter your email, password, and the nickname you want to use at the tables
  • Next, fill in your personal information (make sure to enter all this info correctly as you will need to verify it)
  • Go to your email inbox and find the email from PokerStars containing a verification link
  • Click on the link to verify your email address
  • You are now good to go: log in to deposit, claim your bonus, and start playing

Software

Software
5.0
World class

The quality of the online poker software will directly impact the enjoyment derived from the game. Luckily, with the PokerStars PA app, players will gain access to the operator’s global world-class software, including its desktop and mobile clients.

In our experience, the three top-level factors to consider when evaluating the quality of online poker software are functionality, reliability, and appearance. Below is our evaluation of those major factors.

Functionality

It may seem simple, but the ability to run the software on your chosen devices should be a primary consideration when choosing an online poker site. In that regard, PokerStars does not disappoint, as it has versions of its software for Windows and Mac computers as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.

The design of the tables, lobby, user interface, and mobile software also adds to the functionality, with easy-to-read text and graphics, easily clickable buttons, resizable tables, customizable controls, a simple way to use any promo code and claim any offer, and many more functional features that make the PokerStars software one of the best in the business.

Reliability

Reliability is not a factor to be taken lightly when it comes to online poker. Unstable poker software that freezes, crashes, or fails to connect to the gaming servers can often cost you a lot of money.

Fortunately, the PokerStars software has been around for nearly 20 years, and the company has continually invested in improvements. Through those improvements, PokerStars has maintained the stability of its software.

As with any online service, there can be disruptions and disconnections from time to time, but those instances are rare. In addition, PokerStars has a well-documented disconnection policy that aims to treat players fairly if a disruption in service happens.

Appearance

The appearance of the PokerStars software was greatly enhanced with the rollout of the company’s new graphic engine Aurora which allows for enhanced animations and sound effects. It also allowed the company to offer additional software themes and an improved mobile experience.

PokerStars PA Mobile App

PokerStars PA offers one of the best mobile apps in the international market, and PA players have access to the same software. Available for Android and iOS devices, the app is easy to download and install and works well across a wide range of mobile phones and tablets.

As soon as the installation is completed, you can proceed to log in with your PokerStars username and password. From the interface, you will have access to cash games, tournaments, spin and goes, and the cashier, which means you can also use the mobile app to make deposits.

The app offers a variety of customization options and filters to make navigation easier. When it comes to gameplay, all buttons are nicely positioned on the screen, making it easy to keep up with the action without any unfortunate misclicks. You can play up to five tables at the same time and switch between them seamlessly. Automatic alerts will also let you know when you can act on any of the tables.

Banking

Banking
5.0
Fast withdrawals

When it comes to deposits and withdrawals, Pennsylvania online poker players should have no problems whatsoever when playing at PokerStars. It is important to note that all available options are completely safe and 100% reliable, so you do not have to worry about your money not reaching its destination or your sensitive information getting into the wrong hands.

While working on this review, we noticed the operator offers plenty of options to get money into your PS account and withdraw your winnings when the time comes. Here is an overview of the currently supported PSPA banking options:

Payment Method Deposits Withdrawals
Visa Yes No
MasterCard Yes No
Instant Bank Transfers Yes No
PayPal Yes Yes
Skrill Yes Yes
PayNearMe Yes No
VanillaDirect Yes No
Bank Transfers Yes Yes

As you would expect, withdrawals from PokerStars PA tend to be very quick. For example, withdrawing money to your PayPal account will usually take about one hour, provided that you have completed the verification process already.

More traditional methods, such as wire transfers, can take longer. If you withdraw funds to your bank, expect to receive the money within a few working days.

PokerStars PA Safety & Fairness

Pennsylvania Gaming Control BoardPokerStars PA is licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which means the operator has to conduct its business in line with the rules set forth by the regulatory body. These strict rules exist to protect players and ensure your safety while playing online poker.

When it comes to the fairness of games, PokerStars PA utilizes state-of-the-art RNG (random number generator), which ensures that every single hand dealt on the platform is completely random and impossible to guess or predict. There is no way for anyone to tamper with these results nor is it possible for the operator to rig the games. The RNG software is regularly audited and verified by independent third parties.

PokerStars PA also provides a very high level of protection for players’ funds and personal information. The platform uses high-level encryption protocols for all communication between the players and the servers, ensuring that it cannot be intercepted and abused in any way.

When playing on the site, you must comply with geolocation protocols to ensure that all players playing on the platform are physically present in Pennsylvania. This is one of the strict rules imposed by the PGCB, and PokerStars PA, like the rest of the licensed operators, is very serious about enforcing it.

PokerStars Pennsylvania Frequently Asked Questions

How do I play poker on PokerStars PA?

First, you must register and download the PokerStars PA software, including the PokerStars PA app (both Android and iOS), from the PokerStars PA website. Be sure to use the STARS600 bonus code when you sign up to make sure you get your Welcome Bonus.

The software, including mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices, is available at pokerstarsmtairycasino.com. Although a shorter URL might have been easier to remember, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulations require that the land-based casino partner’s name be included in the URL.

After the software has been successfully installed, players will be prompted to register a screen name and new account if they do not already have one. If you have a PokerStars Casino PA or a FOX Bet PA account, use those credentials to log in.

Is there a PokerStars PA deposit bonus?

There are welcome bonuses available at PokerStars PA — one that will get you $150 in Bonus Play, and the other is a first-deposit match bonus.

  • Click this link to automatically be taken straight to the sign-up page.
  • To get $150 in bonus play, you do not need to use any bonus code. Simply opt in for the offer and play a single cash game hand within the first five days of registering.
  • Use the PokerStars Bonus Code STARS600 to get a bonus equal to 100% of your first three PokerStars PA real money deposits up to $600. The qualifying deposits must be made within the first 60 days.

Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes! If you live within the state of Pennsylvania or are visiting, you can legally play online poker on sites like PokerStars PA.

PokerStars, the biggest online poker operator in the world, has a fully legal and regulated site. PokerStars PA is a safe and secure place to play online poker in Pennsylvania.

You can also play online poker at two other poker rooms, BetMGM Poker PA and Borgata Poker PA. These two poker sites are both hosted on the partypoker US Network, which means they share player pools within the state.

Finally, you can also play on WSOP PA, where the added perk is the fact you can occasionally compete for coveted WSOP bracelets in online tournaments.

Is PokerStars legit? Is PokerStars safe?

100%. PokerStars PA is *fully legal and regulated*and is one of the most legitimate online gaming sites a player can play on.

PokerStars PA has been approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to offer online poker, casino games, and sports betting to people that are in the state. It is a legal and fair site to play on, so you can rest assured that your funds are safe, the games are fair, and you are not breaking any laws by playing on its site.

Where is online poker legal in the US?

If you are in the state of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, or Nevada, then you can legally play online poker for real money!

Online poker operators in the state of New Jersey are allowed to let people in Delaware, Nevada, and Michigan play at the same tables and in the same tournaments as the people in New Jersey.

Currently, Pennsylvania does not allow shared player pools, so you can only play with people who are within the state lines. PokerStars PA, Borgata Poker PA, BetMGM Poker PA, and WSOP PA are the four operators currently offering online poker in Keystone State.

Pennsylvania has around 12.8 million residents. New Jersey has around 9 million residents, Delaware under 1 million, and Nevada has 2.9 million — so although players in Pennsylvania are essentially landlocked, the state is far bigger than the others, allowing for more lucrative games.

Are online casinos legal in PA?

Yes! We are pleased to say Pennsylvania does offer online gambling. Since 2019 players in Pennsylvania looking to play online poker and online casino games such as slots and roulette have been able to do so. Pennsylvania also has online sports betting.

PokerStars Casino PA is one of Pennsylvania’s top real money online casinos, offering an expansive selection of slots, live dealer games, video poker, table games, and more.

To learn more about this operator’s casino offerings, head to our PokerStars Casino PA Review.

Where is PokerStars legal in the US?

PokerStars US currently offers online poker in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. US regulations are strict, so you must be physically in these states in order to be able to play on PokerStars NJ, PokerStars MI, or PokerStars PA.

Is PokerStars rigged?

No! PokerStars is not rigged or fixed, and they go to great lengths to ensure fair play at all their tables. PokerStars uses an independently verified Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure that its games are fair.

The RNG that PokerStars uses has been tested and certified by Gaming Labs International (GLI) to meet the highest gaming regulations and standards.

PokerStars online poker software has been tested to ensure:

  • The software does not determine who wins and who loses
  • The cards are distributed in a purely random fashion
  • The order of the cards is unpredictable

I have an existing FOX Bet or PokerStars Casino account in PA. Do I need to create a separate PokerStars account?

No. If you already have a FOX Bet or PokerStars Casino account, you can use that same account to play on PokerStars PA. In addition, the funds you have on account at FOX Bet and PokerStars Casino can be used at PokerStars as the sites share a common wallet.

Can I make real money transfers between players?

No, real money player-to-player transfers are not allowed as per Pennsylvania gaming regulations.

When did PokerStars launch online poker in Pennsylvania?

The online poker room had a soft launch on November 4 and 5, 2021, for testing purposes, including player experience components such as geolocation services, payment processing, and responsible gaming measures. The full launch took place on November 6.

“We’re excited to launch PokerStars as the first and currently the only online poker option available to players in Pennsylvania,” said Matt Primeaux, then President of FOX Bet.

Who can play at PokerStars PA?

People at least 21 years of age or older that are physically located within the borders of Pennsylvania are eligible to play online poker for real money at PokerStars Pennsylvania.

What cash games are offered at PokerStars PA?

Without a doubt, No Limit Hold’em is the most widely available cash game spread on PokerStars PA, but there is also a wide selection of other games too.

You can find nearly all popular poker variants on the site, including the following:

  • Limit Hold’em
  • Limit Omaha H/L
  • Limit Stud
  • Limit Stud H/L
  • Limit 2- 7 Triple Draw
  • Limit Razz
  • Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)
  • PL Omaha H/L
  • PL 2- 7 Triple Draw
  • PL 5 Card Omaha
  • 8 Game
pokerstars
Last verified: March 2024
Great Welcome Bonus!
100% deposit bonus up to $600!
  • Play one hand & get $150 in bonus play funds
  • Top-quality mobile app
  • Best online MTT schedule
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Does PokerStars offer multi-table tournaments (MTTs)?

Yes, PokerStars has a full slate of poker tournaments for players in Pennsylvania. These games offer tremendous value to players as the larger population of Pennsylvania has allowed PokerStars to offer MTTs with lower buy-in than neighboring New Jersey and higher guaranteed prize pools.

In addition to MTTs that run daily with buy-ins starting at just $1, PokerStars has a full slate of Sunday Majors with guaranteed prize pools.

Is Zoom offered in Pennsylvania?

PokerStars is not offering its fast-fold poker format Zoom in Pennsylvania. It is still unclear when the format will be made available. It is important to note that Zoom is also not available in New Jersey, but it may be introduced once the player pools of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan are combined.

Can players at PokerStars PA play with players on PokerStars NJ?

Currently, shared liquidity, i.e. the ability for players in different states to compete at the same cash games and in the same poker tournaments, is not authorized by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The recent resolution of the Wire Act case saw proponents of shared liquidity prevail, and we expect gaming regulators in Pennsylvania to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Michigan joined the agreement in May of 2022, and we expect Pennsylvania to follow suit in the near future.

Once that happens, PokerStars will be able to allow its players in Pennsylvania to compete against its players in other legally regulated states that have joined MSIGA. At this point in time, that would be New Jersey and Michigan.

Does PokerStars run online poker tournament series in Pennsylvania?

Yes, PokerStars PA has already run a host of big online poker tournament series in the state, including both PACOOP (Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker) and PASCOOP (Pennsylvania Spring Championship of Online Poker) and a host of others.

Most of the tournament series run by PokerStars in Pennsylvania offer total guarantees of at least $1 million. In fact, the PACOOP 2021 featured an astounding $2,000,000 in guaranteed prizes and was the most ambitious series in the state to date}.

In addition, PokerStars usually has special promotions that accompany these big online poker tournament series, further increasing the draw for players.

PokerStars PA Tournament History

Check out the overview of the past PokerStars PA major events and tournament series to see what to expect in the future in terms of event buy-ins, player numbers, and guarantees.

PASCOOP 2022 in March – April

PokerStars has revealed that the PA Spring Championship of Online Poker for 2022 will take place from March 25 – April 11.

If the last iteration of the series is anything to go by, players can expect a great number of tournaments and some solid guarantees at the PASCOOP 2022, as the last year saw $2,000,000 in guarantees, and that number was broken, so there is no reason to think PokerStars PA would take a conservative approach this year and lower the guarantee.

PA Summer Stacks Series 2021

Always looking to add more to their already overflowing tournament schedule, PokerStars USA launched a brand new Summer Stacks Series across all three regulated sites in June.

The Series featured 100 tournaments spanning two weeks in Pennsylvania, with all buy-ins being $100 or less. Despite this, the overall guaranteed prize pool for the entire Series was $1,045,000.

The $100 Main Event was the pinnacle of the Series, with the guarantee of $100,000. This guarantee was easily shattered, as the final number of entries was 1443, generating a prize pool of $132,467.

Overall, the Summer Stacks Series was a success for PokerStars PA, with the majority of the big tournaments hitting their guarantees.

PACOOP 2021 in September

In September, PokerStars launched its flagship Championship of Online Poker series across their sites, and the PA market was no exception.

In fact, with $2,000,000 guaranteed across 69 events, this was set to be the largest tournament series held in the state to date. On top of big cash prizes for the winners, there were also trophies to be won and much more.

The series turned out to be a great success, drawing in more than 25,500 entries over 69 events of varying buy-ins, starting as low as $10 and going up to $1000.

Most tournaments easily met the guarantees, and some have even exceeded quite comfortably. Only six events failed to meet the guarantee.

The $300 Main Event attracted 851 entries, bringing the prize pool to $238,280, crushing the $200K guarantee. The eventual winner took home $36,400 for their efforts.

In total, 2021 PACOOP awarded just shy of $2.4 million in prize money.

January 2022 Winter Series

PokerStars PA started the new year on a strong note, hosting a $1,000,000 guaranteed Winter Series, running January 22 – 31. The series featured a total of 44 events, with a wide range of buy-ins, from just $10 all the way up to $1000.

When it was all said and done, the series was awarded a total of $1.7 million, well over the initial guarantee. The $300 Main Event pulled in 1147 entries, creating a prize pool of over $320,000 and shattering the modest $150K guarantee for more than $200,000. Thanks to this, the eventual winner walked away with $51,500.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500