It is quite difficult to find relevant information about how to play PokerStars 2024 if the poker room is blocked in your country. Where to download the program, what you should know about this company, its reputation, what players gather here, and so on. We will try to answer all this and more in this article.
How to play PokerStars 2024? Where to download?
It is no secret that in some countries, increasingly strict restrictions are constantly being imposed on foreign gambling companies and organizers. Among them, PokerStars often falls and may fall. We will look not only at how to join PokerStars and start playing but also how to bypass PokerStars blocking.
How to bypass PokerStars blocking?
First of all, to play PokerStars, you need to properly configure the internet connection settings on your computer. Of course, there are times when the blocking does not work, but more or less, players often see that the page is not loading or is blocked. Below we will show ways to bypass this restriction.
There is nothing too complicated to do, and the whole process will take only a few minutes.
Bypassing PokerStars blocking on Windows 10
- Open the Start menu marked with the Windows icon
- In the search, type “View network status and tasks” (alternatively, this function can also be accessed through the Control Panel). Click on it.
- In the next window, you should see your internet connection to which you are connected (wired or wireless connection). The name of the internet connection will be highlighted in blue. Click on it.
- In the pop-up box, click the “Properties” button at the bottom of the box
- Now select the box marked “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”
- In the last box, select that the DNS server address is entered manually:
Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter one of the public DNS servers that will prevent censorship and restrict browsing capabilities in your country. Most people use Google DNS servers, which are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for the alternative server.
Bypassing PokerStars blocking on older Windows versions
Here, essentially, everything is identical to the process described for Windows 10, but the appearance of the menus may differ slightly, although the links and solutions are the same. You can watch this instructional video to see exactly how to do it.
How to download PokerStars?
If you can already access the PokerStars website, you need to register and download the program to play with millions of other people from around the world.
How to download the PokerStars program in your country?
- Go to the PokerStars website;
- In the center of the screen, you will see a large green button that says “Download PokerStars (Download the program) – click on it;
- Select the device to which you want to download the program Download it now and start playing on your PC (play on your computer). You can also choose Mac , iOS or Android links for users.
- If an additional window pops up, click “Refresh” or “Continue anyway” to confirm the download;
- Open the downloaded file and install the program;
- If you want a quick installation, select “Standard” and agree to the terms of the end-user license agreement;
- If you want to choose the location on your computer where the program should be installed and have more control over the installation process, select “Custom” and mark the relevant settings and choose the installation location on your computer
- Click “Install”
- Wait for the installation to finish (<10 sec) and click “Launch PokerStars.es”
- Wait for the launched program to configure itself, download the necessary files, and be ready for full use. This may take a little longer – a few minutes, so be patient. During the installation, you can have a cup of coffee or read the PokerioMokykla news.
- After the installation is complete, a window called PokerStars Lobby will immediately open. Here you can log in to your account, register, learn to play with virtual money, make deposits, and of course, start live games.
Indeed, it should be mentioned that now through PokerStars you can not only play poker but also bet on sports events and play online casino games.
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How to Register on PokerStars – How to Join PokerStars and Become a Member?
Registration is simple and doesn't take long.
At the top of the screen, on the right side, click the bright button that says “Create Account”.
You won't need to provide any particularly personal information during registration. Everything is quite standard and usual. At the very beginning, you will need to enter:
- The country you live in;
- Your email address;
- Stars name – this will be your login name on the PokerStars platform;
- A created password.
Then confirm that you agree with the privacy policy, that you are over 18 years old, and that you do not object to the End User License Agreement. Optionally, you can choose to receive information about offers. Click “Create Account”.
That's it, you are now registered on PokerStars. Almost. Don't forget that you should receive an email with a link to activate your account.
And to complete the registration process, you should top up your PokerStars wallet.
Topping up the PokerStars wallet is possible with ApplePay, MasterCard or VISA cards, with NETELLER and SKRILL, WebMoney, Paysafecard, Bank Wire Transfer, and bank transfer. Transfers in euros are converted to dollars, as this is the main currency of PokerStars.
Briefly About PokerStars
The Beginning of PokerStars
Paradoxically, strangely, and interestingly, the PokerStars Beta version opened on September 11, 2001, a date known in world history for very dark events. Despite such an inconvenient time in the world, PokerStars' performance was excellent, and on December 12 of the same year, the first real money games were launched.
About the Founders
PokerStars was founded by Isai Scheinberg (pictured right) and Mark Scheinberg (pictured left).
Isai Scheinberg is a former computer programmer and software developer. Before founding PokerStars, he worked at IBM. His programming experience and passion for poker led him to create the software that became the foundation of PokerStars.
Isai's son Mark Scheinberg joined the company shortly after its founding and played a significant role in its growth and success. Mark Scheinberg later became the CEO and greatly contributed to the expansion of PokerStars' operations and its establishment as a leading online poker platform.
Best Where the Taxes Are Lowest
During its early operations, the company changed its registration address several times due to lower or zero taxes. It all started in Costa Rica, then moved to the Isle of Man, and now a large part of the company's operations is registered and licensed in Malta.
The Biggest Achievements of PokerStars
Over more than 20 years of history, PokerStars has become one of the largest and most successful online poker organizers. Two decades have allowed achieving various impressive results and increasing its recognition. Here are their achievements from day one to now:
- In 2006, the company took over the management of the famous brand PartyPoker;
- Also in 2006, the company was valued at 2 billion USD;
- On February 10, 2012, the company received permission to operate within the EU when it was granted a license by the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority;
- At the end of December 2009, PokerStars organized the largest online poker tournament of all time (the entry fee was 1 USD, a total of 149,196 USD in entry fees was collected)
- In December 2011, they organized an even larger tournament with 200,000 participants. PokerStars servers crashed after 20 minutes due to the unexpected rush;
- In June 2013, the record was broken again, this time with 225,000 players participating;
- In July 2012, the company acquired another competitor – Full Tilt Poker for 731 million USD;
- In June 2014, the PokerStars brand was acquired by The Stars Group, a Canadian online gambling giant, for 4.9 billion USD;
- In 2016 and 2017, the company began collaborating with Netent and Microgaming respectively;
- In September 2018, PokerStars VR was launched;
- In 2019, PokerStars agreed with the international gambling giant Paddy Power Betfair to jointly create the world's largest gambling and sports betting company.
- In 2021, PokerStars partnered with Red Bull Racing, sponsoring their Formula 1 team, and its brand was prominently displayed on the new Red Bull cars, as well as on Max Verstappen's and Sergio Pérez's suits for several upcoming seasons.
Real and Practical Tips for PokerStars Players
Here are some tips for all beginner players who want to try their luck at the poker table but lack experience.
- First, get familiar with the layout of the program. Spend at least a couple of hours (or several dozen minutes) to understand how everything works and what you need to click to achieve a certain result. You should know how to start a game, end it, understand where your funds are displayed, how to perform actions at the table, how to change settings you don't like, and so on.Of course, most solutions can be found on YouTube. However, the more knowledge you have before playing for real money, the fewer losses you will incur.
- Don't rush to play for real money. The second tip for you is not to rush and immediately sit at a table where real money is played. Why? For a very simple reason – you will incur maximum losses. The players sitting at the table will not only have more experience (not to mention higher buy-in tables), but also several advantages over you.
- Gain basic knowledge about your habits at the poker table. After familiarizing yourself with how PokerStars works and gaining at least basic knowledge about the game process, try sitting at a table and playing with an amount you don't mind losing. Whether it's 5 or 200 euros, spend 1-2 hours playing. You might notice that you poorly read opponents' moves or raise bets too quickly (you don't know how to bluff). Use all this knowledge to read the strategy guide on PokerioMokykla or watch videos. They allow you to improve quickly and gain knowledge every day. This way, you won't let experienced players distance themselves from you and increase their advantage, but rather reduce it each time.
- Utilize advantages. Here we are talking about poker programs – HUD. The most popular choices for PokerStars players in Lithuania are Holdem Manager 3 and PokerTracker 4. Why are these programs important and useful for players? They show various statistics, collect data in real-time, analyze your and other players' weaknesses. More than half of serious online poker players probably use them, so there's no reason why you shouldn't use them too.
PokerStars Live Games and Online Poker: How Do They Differ?
Probably a significant number of poker enthusiasts or simply interested readers think that if they succeed at the PokerStars virtual table, they can successfully realize themselves as real poker players. We have to disappoint you a bit because playing online from your home and sitting at a table for several hours are two completely different worlds. Let's talk about the differences now.
The Biggest Differences:
- You have fewer advantages at a real poker table. Here you don't see any statistical data or suggestions on what decision to make. It's just you and your intuition.
- At a real table, you need much greater concentration. How long can you sit, just staring at one point, not showing emotions, and not getting irritated because another person is taking a long time to make a decision? In online poker, there are strict time limits for making a move. At a real poker table, especially in the later stages of tournaments, those moves take minutes. If you are not particularly patient and don't want to develop exceptional patience, it's better to stick to playing PokerStars online.
- You need to know how to read people's behavior and not let others “read” you. This is probably the most challenging element of real poker. When playing online, you don't have to think about constantly scratching your left cheek or looking to the right. All this is invisible and disappears behind the computer screen, but at a real table, it's clear as day.
FAQ
- Is it possible to play PokerStars if it is blocked in your country? Yes, it is currently possible. However, new gambling-restricting laws are constantly coming into effect, so it's still worth changing your internet DNS server settings to always access your player account even when new bans come into effect.
- How to start playing? You need to create an account, download and install the program, and log in with your account. After funding your account, you can play for real money.
- Why is it worth playing PokerStars? Because it is one of the largest and most popular online poker platforms in the world.
- Does PokerStars offer bonuses? Yes, there are bonuses for both new and existing players that can be used to increase your deposit, get free spins at PokerStars casino, and more.
PokerStars for Real Money – What Mistakes Do Inexperienced Players Often Make?
- Playing with money they can't afford to lose. No matter how tempting it is to get rich playing poker from home, to win more than you lose, you need to put in many hours of work and learn various theories. Never play with an amount you can't afford to lose. Gambling should be played responsibly.
- Not using HUD. We have already discussed their benefits and importance in this text.
- “Attacking” with high bets before reading the table. If you rush to a new table and immediately surprise everyone with high bets, as new and inexperienced players like to do, you will not only lose a lot but also immediately reveal to your opponents what you are doing. There is almost no chance of taking all the money in one move, but by playing ~100 hands as wisely as possible, you can significantly increase your funds in the PokerStars wallet.
- Not paying attention to their weaknesses. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses at the poker table.
So, now you know how to play PokerStars in your country, how to create an account, install the software, and how to prepare for the game. Now it's time to turn your knowledge into practical experience and try yourself out. Go ahead and good luck!
