PokerStars Review & Bonus Code (2026)

Our Overall Editors' Rating: 8.6/10

PokerStars, long one of the biggest names in online poker, is now available in the US exclusively through FanDuel. As of April 2026, PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel merges the three-state PokerStars player pool (Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) into FanDuel's platform, running on a new dedicated poker app and client rather than the legacy PokerStars software.

This is still real-money poker with the same tournament brands and underlying liquidity, but the wrapper around it has changed substantially, and long-time PokerStars players should expect some adjustment. 

Below, we break down what's stayed the same, what's new, and where the FanDuel transition has drawn criticism from existing players.

Quick Summary: PokerStars Online Poker at a Glance

PokerStars carries some of the strongest fundamentals among online poker sites in the US, with exclusive cash games and Sit-and-Go tournaments.

But it still remains to be seen how the new features stemming from the FanDuel migration will land with players.

Game Variety at PokerStars

PokerStars on FanDuel offers cash games, exclusive sit-and-gos, and hundreds of tournaments.

Spin & Go

PokerStars' signature jackpot Sit & Go format continues on FanDuel. A three-handed table pays out a randomly determined multiplier of your buy-in, from 2x up to a top-tier 10,000x on the smaller buy-in levels. Minimum buy-ins start at $1 and can go up to $50, with wins up to $250k.

Unlike some competitors' jackpot sit-and-gos, PokerStars on FanDuel Spin & Go pays out winner-take-all at every multiplier tier, rather than splitting the top prizes across all three players.

Cash Games

PokerStars' cash games at FanDuel include Texas Hold'Em, Pot Limit Omaha, 5-Card Omaha, and Zoom Poker. 

PokerStars pioneered fast-fold poker in 2012, and it continues on FanDuel: fold, and you're immediately reseated at a new table with a new hand.

Tournaments & Satellites

There are nearly 300 tournaments running at any given time on PokerStars, and the lineup has every game you could want, including No-Limit Hold'Em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 5-Card Draw, Omaha High/Low, 2-7 Triple Draw, HORSE, All-in or Fold, and 8-Game. You can sort by game formats to suit any bankroll (Freerolls, Freezout, Rebuy, Re-Entry, Knockout, Multi-Entry, Shootout, Twister Arena, Satellites, Speed, and Mystery Bounty), and prize pools can reach up to $75k.

Every week, you can play Sunday Dynasty or Sunday Shield tournaments. Dynasty players can win $75k for a $100 buy-in, while Shield buy-ins are just $30, with $1 daily satellites. Every other night at 6:40 p.m. ET, you can join Nightly Stars tournaments, which have a $100 buy-in and a $30k guaranteed prize pool.

We were also intrigued by All-In Poker, a stripped-down Hold'Em variant exclusive to this platform: preflop, players can only shove all-in or fold, with a maximum wager cap of 25 big blinds per hand. 

More PokerStars Bonuses

PokerStars on FanDuel continues to run freerolls, series events, and reload-style promotions. New players can get a 100% first-deposit match, regardless of whether they already have a FanDuel casino or sportsbook account.

FanDuel has replaced PokerStars' legacy Stars Rewards/Chests loyalty system with Dynasty Builder, a mission-based rewards program. Instead of accumulating rakeback points that unlock reward "chests" (the former tier system), players now complete Daily Missions, including tasks like winning a hand with pocket aces or playing a set number of Spin & Gos, and track progress through a Rewards Hub, claiming cash, tournament tickets, and digital items as they go.

That said, the app carries a strong aggregate rating on Google Play and on the Apple App Store, with the iOS app cracking the Top 100 in the Casino category chart. The platform has also retained a strong level of customization, from the type of table to the deck of cards used. You can even set your own filters. It also supports players who prefer running multiple games at once. 

There's no doubt that most features are aimed at experienced poker players, but we can't say the same for the throwables and emojis. You can throw items at your opponents and react with animated emojis to add fun to a game.

Safety, Fairness, and Support at PokerStars Online

PokerStars has quite a comprehensive FAQ section. You can use the 24/7 live chat to resolve almost any issue you'll encounter inside the PokerStars on FanDuel platform.  

PokerStars on FanDuel is backed by Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of both PokerStars and FanDuel, and the largest online gambling company in the world by revenue. The platform maintains standard KYC/AML verification, licensing compliance in all three operating states, and responsible gambling tools (deposit limits, session timers, self-exclusion, reality checks).

Raking in pots, bluffing players, and claiming promotions are all great. However, if you're not enjoying poker, it's time to stop. You should never risk more than you can afford to lose. The general rule in poker is that you should have 150+ buy-ins for the cash games you're playing and over 200 buy-ins for tournaments. 

PokerStars Key Facts

Where is PokerStars Legal in the US?

PokerStars merged its Michigan and New Jersey player pools in January 2023, with Pennsylvania joining the shared pool shortly after. 

As of April 2026, all three state player pools operate on the unified FanDuel platform, giving PokerStars on FanDuel one of the largest regulated online poker networks in the US.

Since FanDuel is one of the biggest names in US online gaming, PokerStars players also benefit from a single wallet shared across FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Casino, and FanDuel Poker.