PokerStars Ontario Review & Download
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About PokerStars Ontario
Launched in June 2022, shortly after online poker became legal in the province of Ontario, PokerStars Ontario is home to a huge selection of cash games and some of the biggest online poker tournament festivals. With a dedicated, state-of-the-art Android and iOS poker app, PokerStars Ontario leads the way and can also boast the best customer support team in the industry.
PokerStars Ontario Pros & Cons
Pros
- Huge selection of cash games and tournaments
- Home of some of the biggest online poker tournament festivals
- Dedicated, state-of-the-art Android and iOS poker app
- Best customer support team in the industry
- Free poker games available for beginners
- The biggest selection of games in all of Canada.
Cons
- No option to contact support via live chat or telephone
- Only available for players physically located in Ontario
Poker Games and Variants Available to Play at PokerStars Ontario
There are many different poker games available at PokerStars Ontario, from cash games to sit & go tournaments, jackpot Spin & Go games, and PokerStars' famous unrivalled selection of multi-table tournaments. Ontarians are spoiled for choice when it comes to playing PokerStars in Canada games from the comfort of their homes.
Cash games are currently available in no-limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha, and 6+ Hold'em, while tournaments are also available in these variants, but have several formats including turbos, freezeouts, progressive knockout tournaments and many more besides.
Play No-Limit Hold'em at PokerStars Ontario
No-Limit Hold'em is the most popular poker variant on the planet, so it should be unsurprising to see this game dominate the landscape online at PokerStars Ontario. All No-Limit Hold'em cash games at PokerStars Ontario are played on six-handed tables, which increases the number of hands you can play per hour, in addition to adding to the excitement; nothing beats short-handed poker.
Often called the Cadillac of Poker, a term coined by the legendary poker player Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson, No-Limit Hold'em is the game of choice for millions of live and online poker players around the world. Some of the largest pots ever won (and lost) stem from No-Limit Hold'em games, and all of the biggest poker tournaments, including the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP), use this format to crown their champion.
The game is relatively simple on the surface but hugely complicated once you delve deep into it. The late Mike Sexton once said of Hold'em that is takes minutes to learn but a lifetime to master, and we wholeheartedly agree. Thankfully, with games running around the clock, PokerStars Ontario players have the chance to hone their skills whenever they wish.
Cash games players wanting to play No-Limit Hold'em in Ontario have a wide range of stakes to choose from. $0.01/$0.02 are the lowest stakes available at PokerStars Ontario, while $50/$100 are the highest stakes. Of course, there are ten stakes between these two extremes, meaning you will easily find a game to suit your skill level and bankroll's size.You will always be able to play Texas Hold'em at PokerStars in Canada.
No-Limit Hold'em tournaments feature heavily at PokerStars Ontario, with this format making up the majority of Sit & Go and scheduled MTTs. PokerStars is the industry expert regarding multi-table tournaments. Ontarians will find MTTs with buy-ins as low as $0.25 and as high as $500, with every buy-in you can think of in between.
Play Pot-Limit Omaha at PokerStars Ontario
Pot-Limit Omaha, often abbreviated to PLO, is another hugely popular poker variant available to play at PokerStars Ontario. PLO is strikingly similar to No-Limit Hold'em apart from two key difference. First, it is played to a pot-limit betting structure instead of no-limit, and second, you are dealt four hole cards instead of two; you must use two of those cards to make the best five-card poker hand.
Due to each player receiving four hole cards, hands run closer than their no-limit Hold'em counterparts, which naturally increases the action and sees players make stronger hand more frequently. If you love big pots and big hands, perhaps playing pot-limit Omaha at PokerStars in Canada is what you need in your life.
Traditional PLO games are available as cash games at PokerStars Ontario, but there are a couple of different variants available in the tournament lobby. Omaha Hi/Lo, 5-Card Omaha, 6-Card Omaha, and Courchevel are hosted, and are especially prevalent during festivals and series.
Play Mixed Games at PokerStars Ontario
Mixed Games are available at PokerStars Ontario, although only in multi-table tournament format. Mixed games are exactly what they sound like: several different poker variants bundled into one package and played in rotation.
H.O.R.S.E. was one of the first mixed games to hit the mainstream poker community. Players of this format play a round of Hold'em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, all to a fixed-limit betting structure.
8-Game has grown in popularity in recent times thanks, in part, to adding some no-limit and pot-limit games into the mix. In 8-Game, players compete over rounds of 2-7 Triple Draw, Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo, No-Limit Hold'em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.
The term mixed games is also reserved for variants that are neither NLHE or PLO. Five Card Draw, Badugi, 2-7 Single Draw, and 2-7 Triple Draw are sometimes referred to as mixed games. These games are available at PokerStars Ontario as tournaments only.
Play Short Deck/6+ Hold'em at PokerStars Ontario
Short Deck Hold'em, or 6+ Hold'em, is a relatively new poker variant that is a firm favorite in Macau, where the biggest cash games use this fun, action-inducing game. You'll be pleased to learn that Canadian players can enjoy 6+ Hold'em at PokerStars Ontario. As the name suggests, 6+ Hold'em is played with a stripped deck where all the twos, threes, fours, and fives are removed from the deck, leaving the table with 36 cards. Naturally, this alters the hand rankings because it is now more difficult to make a flush than it is a full house.
6+ Hold'em is usually played with an ante-only format instead of having a small and big blind in play. Everyone pays a predetermined ante before receiving their hole cards. The ante-only format not only increases the size of the pot preflop, but entices more players to play their hands, creating multi-way action and plenty of excitement.
Short Deck cash games are available to play at PokerStars Ontario, as are tournaments in this incredible format.
Play Zoom Poker at PokerStars Ontario
Zoom Poker is PokerStars Ontario's take on fast-fold poker, and is one of the fastest and most unique ways to play poker online. The rules are the exact same as a traditional Hold'em game, but the Zoom Poker mechanics are different.
In a traditional game, you are seated at the same table for the duration of your session unless you leave the table and join a new one. However, in Zoom Poker, you are part of a greater playing pool, so when you fold, the PokerStars Ontario software whisks you away to a new table with fresh opponents. Fold again, which you can do out of turn if you are not in the big blind, and you head to a new table and receive brand new hole cards.
Zoom Poker is not yet available as a cash game variant at PokerStars Ontario but there are several Zoom Poker tournaments scheduled each week. You may never go back to "normal" poker once you try Zoom Poker because it is the fastest and most action-packed poker variant in Canada.
PokerStars Ontario Rake
Online poker sites make money by charging what is known as rake in their cash games and fees for playing tournaments. The rake is a small percentage of each cash game pot or tournament buy-in. PokerStars Ontario's cash game rake ranges from 3.3% up to 5%, making it one of the cheapest ways to play poker in Canada.
PokerStars Ontario tournament fees generally weigh in at between 6-10%, which again is very competitive throughout the entire online poker industry.
Play Poker Tournaments Online at PokerStars Ontario
There are few things in poker that are more thrilling or satisfying that winning a poker tournament and becoming a poker champion. As a PokerStars Ontario customer, you have hundreds of opportunities to play some of the best online poker tournaments each and every day. PokerStars Ontario's multi-table tournaments start with buy-ins of only $0.25 and increase up to $500, sometimes even higher during major festivals.
There are Hold'em, Omaha, and Mixed Games tournaments available at PokerStars Ontario, in addition to different formats, including turbo, hyper-turbo, Zoom, heads-up, and the ever-popular progressive knockout (PKO) tournaments. PKO events see half your buy-in go into the main prize pool, which is awarded in a traditional manner. The remaining 50% goes onto the head of each entrant. Eliminate an opponent from a PKO tournament and you instantly receive half the bounty amount as a cash payment, with the other half going onto your head and increasing the bounty players can win if they bust you. This unique dynamic makes PKO action-packed and super-exciting to play, especially when you are deep in a tournament and the bounties are huge in comparison to the buy-in.
PokerStars is world-famous for running special festivals and series throughout the year. PokerStars Ontario is no different. It ran a bounty hunter series shortly after launching in Ontario, and followed that up with the inaugural Ontario Championship Of Online Poker (ONCOOP). The first-ever ONCOOP Main Event cost $500 to enter and guaranteed $200,000 would be won. "youaremelon" emerged victoriously and they captured a cool $36,864 for their efforts. Will you become a Canadian poker champion?
Play Cash Games at PokerStars Ontario
Cash games remain immensely popular in the online poker world despite tournament players often grabbing the glory when they win events. There is a saying that in poker cash is king, and there are thousands of cash game players that agree with that statement.
Tournaments and cash games are similar in that hand rankings are the same, as are the mechanics of a hand. Two main differences stand between the two formats. First, cash games have the same size blinds throughout your session but these enforced bets increase over time in a tournament. Second, you are eliminated from a tournament once you no longer have any chips in front of you, but you can purchase more chips when you play cash games.
Furthermore, you can leave a cash game whenever you like; you could leave the table after playing only one hand if you so wished. However, in a tournament, you can only leave a tournament when you bust or are the last player standing. This makes cash games the perfect poker format if you find yourself short of spare time or lead a life where you cannot afford to spend hours on end playing poker.
PokerStars Ontario offers No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha cash games around the clock. They come with blinds starting at only $0.01/$0.02 and increase all the way up to $50/$100, meaning there is a cash game for you regardless of your bankroll's size. All PokerStars Ontario cash games are played on six-handed tables, increasing both the excitement and action, in addition to helping you potentially rack up hundreds of hands per hour from your computer of via the PokerStars Ontario mobile poker app.
Play Home Games at PokerStars Ontario
Many poker players enjoyed their first taste of this crazy game from playing in home games against friends and family members; they were mostly happy days. PokerStars Ontario has a Home Games section that is open to all Ontarians, and helps you to focus on the social aspect of poker while, hopefully, winning some money.
PokerStars Ontario Home Games make it possible to play in cash games and tournaments against your friends in a private setting using the elite-level PokerStars software. Once you have created your poker club, you can set up cash game tables, regular or one-off tournaments, and fight it out against your nearest and dearest, so long as they are also a PokerStars Ontario customer and are playing online poker from Ontario, Canada.
Ontario is a big place – it is three times the size of Germany – so getting your friends together at a given time is often a challenging task. By inviting them to your personal Home Games, you get to play against friends old and new in a battle of wits all while doing so from the comfort of your home.
Can I Play PokerStars in Canada?
Yes, you can play PokerStars in Canada. In April 2022, the Canadian government made sweeping changes to the Canadian online poker landscape. It ruled that poker players from the Ontario province can only play against other Ontarians.
This led to PokerStars launching PokerStars Ontario, an online poker room only available to players physically located in Ontario.
For the rest of Canada, PokerStars' global online poker room is where to play if you want to play online poker in Canada.
How to Login to PokerStars Ontario
The login process for PokerStars Ontario is streamlined and simple. Here's our easy guide on how to login to PokerStars Ontario in a matter of seconds.
Open the PokerStars Ontario software, and it will automatically take you to the login page. If it does not, click the login button in the top-right of the software.
Fill in your PokerStars Ontario username and password in the provided boxes. You can click the "Remember me on this computer" to save your log in details, but this is not recommended if you use a public computer or share a computer with someone else.
You must declare that you eligible and fit to play poker by clicking the relevant checkbox. Clicking this means you are stating you are fit to play poker, are not under the infuence of alcohol or other substances, and that you accept you may not enjoy a winning session.
Click the login button, and you are good to go!
PokerStars Ontario Service
Across the different levels of service which PokerStars Ontario is able to offer to its players, there are many ways in which you’re able to be supported whilst playing on the platform.
Featuring responsive customer support and help sections and top-level security to ensure that your data and funds are protected to the levels of regulations and licensing to be able to operate in Ontario.
Throughout these different levels of service, these are a few of how you can ensure the highest quality experience on PokerStars Ontario whilst ensuring safety. Indeed, PokerStars is regularly deemed to have the best customer service throughout Canada.
PokerStars Ontario Service
Every online poker site worth its salt has a top-tier customer support team working tirelessly behind the scenes keeping things running. PokerStars Ontario's customer service team is widely considered to be one of the best in the business. Should you require any assistance, the customer support team is available around the clock, and are ready and willing to go the extra mile to ensure your time at PokerStars Ontario is enjoyable.
PokerStars Ontario Customer Service
PokerStars.com built a reputation for having the best customer support network in the online poker industry. PokerStars Ontario has picked up that particular torch and is running with it.
Signing up for a new online poker account can seem a little daunting to some people, but it need not be because PokerStars Ontario's customer support team can be with you every step of the way should you wish.
All contact with PokerStars Ontario customer support is via email. There is no live chat or telephone facility, which may disappoint some, but the team responds to emails quickly and works a 24/7 pattern to ensure queries and issues are fully resolved in a timely manner.
PokerSars Ontario Security
PokerStars Ontario takes security seriously and has many steps and procedures in place to protect you, your information, and your funds. PokerStars Ontario is one of a few online poker sites that has separate, segregated bank accounts for its customers' deposits. This means that PokerStars Ontario never uses customers' funds for day-to-day operational costs. In addition, should the unthinkable happen and PokerStars Ontario goes out of business (which will not happen) every customer's funds are safe and secure.
It is not only your funds that are under lock and key and well protected but also your personal data. PokerStars Ontario uses bank-level encryption of all personal data, making it impossible for anyone to access your details. Even if they did manage to get their hands on your data, the level of encryption PokerStars Ontario uses renders it entirely useless.
On the playing poker side of things, you can rest assured that PokerStars Ontario is 100% safe and secure. Indeed, the Random Number Generator (RNG) the online poker site uses to shuffle cards is regularly tested and verified by independent companies to ensure it is mathematically random.While all the online poker sites PokerNews promotes are 100% legit, the PokerStars RNG is so complex that many consider it the best of all the Canadian poker rooms.
The site's security and integrity teams work around the clock to ensure nothing untoward happens at the tables, preventing cheaters from profiting from games. Most poker players are honest people, but there are some that have questionable morals. PokerStars Ontario's team nips these in the bud and issues refunds if required.
PokerStars Ontario Player Resources
PokerStars Ontario legitimately cares about its customers regardless of the stakes they play for. They want each and every one of its players t fully enjoying playing online poker on Ontario. One way they do this is by putting your playing habits under your control.
You can set deposit limits, playing time limits, and even ban yourself from certain parts of the PokerStars Ontario family. It is also possible to take an enforced break for 24 hours or completely exclude yourself from PokerStars Ontario thanks to the responsible gambling tools at your fingertips.
Gambling is meant to be fun. If it isn't fun for you, it is time to stop.
Any mention and/or description of Bonuses, Rewards and Promotions on this site are for general information purposes only and are not available to users based in Ontario.
Games
- Texas Holdem Poker
- Omaha Poker
- Seven Card Stud
- Seven Card Stud 8 or Better
- Omaha Hi-Lo
- 2-7 Triple Draw
- 2-7 Single Draw
- Razz
- HORSE
- 8-Game
Desktop software review
It was no surprise when PokerStars obtained a licence to operate in the Canadian province of Ontario and launched PokerStars Ontario. Long considered to be the best online poker site globally, PokerStars has a glowing reputation for hosting the busiest cash games and the most exciting tournaments anywhere online. That excitement is now available to Ontarians that choose to play online poker at PokerStars Ontario, one of the best online poker sites in Ontario.
Our impartial PokerStars Ontario review will give you all the information you need to make the decision of whether or not PokerStars Ontario is for you. It will be because if you want to play poker in Ontario, you simply must be a PokerStars Ontario customer. Keep reading to discover why.
PokerStars Ontario Software Review
The PokerStars software is widely considered to be the best in the business, and that same software is what powers PokerStarsin Canada. The software is clean, responsive and, most importantly, reliable. Do not be fooled by the easy-to-navigate PokerStars Ontario software because underneath lays a feature-rich, state-of-the-art online poker software that makes playing online poker much less of a grind.
Usability of PokerStars Ontario Software
PokerStars has invested heavily into its software, and that becomes evident from the moment you fire it up on your computer or laptop or play on the Android or iOS-powered mobile poker app. Everything works and does so seamlessly and effortlessly, which is exactly what you want from online poker software.
Almost every aspect of the PokerStars Ontario software is customizable, from the table and background themes to several different playing cards and several lobby filters that make finding the perfect cash game or tournament a breeze.
You will find several features that make playing at PokerStars Ontario a stress-free environment. We are talking about automatic top-ups in cash games, being able to select your preferred seat, and many more besides. If you are a Canadian online poker player, you really have to try out the incredible PokerStars Ontario software for yourself to discover how effective it is.
Reliability of PokerStars Ontario Software
It is all well and good having software that is packed with bells and whistles and that looks the part, but nothing ever trumps an online poker site's reliability record. PokerStars has been an industry leader for more than 20 years, and the reliability of its online poker software is one reason for the site's longevity. Some say the PokerStars software is the best of all the Ontario online poker rooms.
Of course, no internet or software-heavy company has a perfect track record because that is almost impossible. However, the PokerStars Ontario software rarely suffers from any technical gremlins and on the extremely rare occasions that it does, players are protected with an all-encompassing disconnection and cancellation policy that ensure you never suffer financially if anything goes wrong.
Look and Appearance of PokerStars Ontario Software
The PokerStars software has undergone dozens of changes, updates, and upgrades since launching in 2001, but the overall feel remains the same. The current iteration of the PokerStars Ontario software is fully customizable, meaning you can make it look how you want it to.
There are 25 felt colours to choose from, in addition to several background themes to keep matters fresh. Being able to swap colours is perfect if you play several tables simultaneously but want to dedicate extra focus to one or two particular tables.
It is also possible to choose from a wealth of playing card options. Lastly, you can choose from a plethora of avatars to represent you at the table or upload an image of your choosing! No two PokerStars Ontario players' tables will look the same, thanks to the hugely customizable software.
App review
PokerStars Ontario App Review
We lead busy lives that see us on the go for large parts of our day, which can cut down on the time available to play online poker. This is where the PokerStars Ontario app comes into its own. Available on Android and iOS-powered devices, the PokerStars app Ontario residents have access to means you need never miss a hand of poker again. Download the relevant PokerStars Ontario app for your favorite mobile device, hit the tables, and win big wherever you are in Ontario. Please note that you must be physically located in Ontario for the app to work, and you cannot use a VPN to access the app.
| Aspect | iOS and Android App |
|---|---|
| Ready to Play? | Sign up and Play at PokerStars Ontario |
| Regions Available | Physically in Ontario only |
| App Limitations vs Desktop | Maximum of four tables (5 on IOS devices) |
| Games Available | Cash games, MTT, SNG, Zoom, Spin & Go |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Withdrawal | $10 |
| Deposit Methods | Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPay, Bank Transfer, ecoPayz |
| 3 Key App Features | One-handed operation, Access to the PokerStars casino, full array of cash games and tournaments |
Key PokerStars Ontario App Features
Differences Between PokerStars Ontario App and Desktop
There are only a couple of differences between the PokerStars Ontario App and its desktop equivalent, and none of them have a negative effect on how you play or enjoy poker in Ontario.
The most obvious difference is the size of the tables because they have to fit on a mobile's screen. While you can play up to four tables at once (five on iOS devices) you can only see one at a time; you cannot tile like when playing on a computer. You switch between tables by swiping or pressing the relevant table icon at the top of the screen.
Everything else is an almost carbon-copy of the PokerStars Ontario desktop software. Mobile app users can still customize the visuals, all the desktop cash games and tournaments are present and correct, and all the features are available to you. It is easy to see why some PokerStars Ontario players prefer playing poker on the app than sitting behind a monitor while they get their grind on.
Three Reasons Why You Need to Download the PokerStars Ontario App
Any Canadian poker player who downloads the free PokerStars Ontario mobile app does so safe in the knowledge that they have one of the best mobile poker apps in the world on their device. It quickly becomes apparent why the PokerStars mobile poker app is award-winning, and is one of the most popular mobile poker apps globally.
- One-handed operation – Most people use their mobile phone with one hand, which is why PokerStars developed the PokerStars Ontario app to be used one-handed. Every action you make is possible with a press of your thumb or a quick swipe on your screen, making playing mobile poker in Ontatio a breath of fresh air.
- Access to PokerStars Casino and Sports – Your PokerStars Ontario account does not only give you access to online poker but to all of the PokerStars Ontario games, including the vibrant casino and busy sportsbook, and all from your favorite mobile device. You literally have a suite of gaming options in the palm of your hand.
- Full array of cash games and tournaments – Some online poker sites water down their mobile poker options, but PokerStars Ontario is not just some online poker site; it is a market leader. PokerStars Ontario does not discriminate between desktop and mobile poker users, so if you can play it on your computer, you can bet your bottom dollar that it is available on your mobile phone or tablet.
Room Info
- Owner/operator: Flutter PLC
- Software provider: Rational Enterprises (in-house)
- Company headquarters: Isle of Man
- Game server location: Isle of Man
- PokerStars is licensed by Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/213/2011)
Software Support
Support e-mail: [email protected]
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Operator | Deposit | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
Skrill
|
1-2 days
|
|
ecoPayz
|
1-7 days
|
|
NETELLER
|
1-2 days
|
|
VISA
|
1-5 days
|
|
MasterCard
|
1-3 days
|
|
FirePay
|
1-7 days
|
|
Click2Pay
|
1-7 days
|
|
Wire Transfer
|
4-7 days
|
|
Switch
|
1-7 days
|
|
Check
|
1-7 days
|
|
Diners Club
|
1-7 days
|
|
Paysafecard
|
1-2 days
|
|
Solo
|
1-7 days
|
|
Inter-Account Transfers
|
1-7 days
|
|
echeck
|
1-7 days
|
|
WebMoney
|
1-7 days
|
|
Maestro
|
1-7 days
|
|
EntroPay
|
1-7 days
|
Languages
English
PokerStars Ontario FAQs
Is poker legal in Ontario?
From April 4, 2022, any online poke operator offering services to Ontario residents required a dedicated gaming licence. PokerStars Ontario obtained such a license and is, therefore, 100% legal in the province of Ontario.
Is poker legal in Canada?
In Canada, gambling regulation is handled at a provincial level, but while the laws can differ, there is no law making real money online poker technically illegal. Residents of Ontario can legally play online poker to long as the operator has a dedicated gaming licence.
Is PokerStars allowed in Canada?
As there are no laws making online poker in most provinces in Canada, PokerStars has a huge Canadian customer base that frequently enjoys the massive selection of games the poker site offers. Residents of Ontario are legally allowed to play on PokerStars Ontario if over the age of 19, as PokerStars is one of the operators that has a dedicated gaming licence.
Is PokerStars allowed in Ontario?
Yes! PokerStars has been granted full registration to operate in the province of Ontario by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. This means that while you’re in Ontario, you are able to indulge yourself in the different cash games, tournaments, and so much more.
What are the best online poker sites in Ontario?
Across Ontario, from the poker sites which have been granted a license and are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, there are few sites that lay claim to being the best. However, what is great for one player may not be what another looks for. This is why PokerNews' reviews are so important because they allow you to make an informed decision about where to play poker in Ontario. If you are Canadian but not located in Ontario, you can play at the global PokerStars site.
Is PokerStars Ontario safe?
Yes! PokerStars has been in business for more than two decades, and has spent the majority of that time at the top of the pile. You can rest easy at night knowing PokerStars Ontario is one of the, if not the safest online poker site operating in Ontario. There is a reason it is the online poker room of choice for thousands of Canadian poker players.