Quite often poker beginners face the problem when downloading the PokerStars app up to a certain time they have to play for play money chips only. But one day they realize that the game for play money chips isn't as fascinating as the game for real money. But within the PokerStars software they can't find how to switch to the real money mode. That's why they start bombarding Internet with queries like 'PokerStars: how to switch to the real money mode?'.

This article was specially written for such players.

Real Money Deposits & Withdrawals Download our software for free on your desktop or mobile device, then select any of the easy-to-use deposit options listed below. In addition to below, you can login to your account through our website and visit the Cashier to deposit.

You should consider that you can't simply switch to the real money mode in PokerStars: first you're to complete several steps.

Transfer from PokerStars.net to real money games

Many novice poker players ask one question: 'which PokerStars is for real money'. This question arises because marketing team can not promote real money poker games everywhere, so the have created a web site for play money only and called it PokerStars.net. You can download the software there and join the real players from all over the world, who keen on playing for fun. But some day you will understand that you need real surge of adrenaline. And for this reason, you somehow have to create real money PokerStars account.

You are not allowed to play for real money in PokerStars because you've registered your account on PokerStars.net, which implies that the game will be for play money chips only. In order to start playing for real money in PokerStars, you need to create a new playing account on PokerStars.com

PokerStars real money not allowed - what to do

A new account should be registered with the help of the device (computer/telephone/tablet) that hasn't been previously used for PokerStars gaming clients. Otherwise you won't be able to play for real money.

Pokerstars Real Money Download

1. In order to register an account for the real money game in PokerStars go to the website following the special link.

2. Create a new account.

3. When creating a new account use the PokerStars marketing code = psp19423

Your new PokerStars account can now be used for both real and play money games.

In case you've created an account in PokerStars from the mobile app, read the article 'How to enter the marketing code when registering via the mobile phone'

We also recommend you to pay attention on 888 poker - you can get $88 free on sign up here

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PokerStars in Canada.

Yes players from Canada can play at PokerStars. PokerStars accepts Canadian players for real money or for play money games and have done so since they started in 2006.

If you are a new player you will benefit the most by playing at PokerStars for 3 reasons. First is the Poker School where you can learn how to play - its the best online. Second it has the lowest rake on micro stakes cash games and high numbers of freerolls, great for starting your poker bankroll. Third is the vast numbers of tournaments that have great turnouts - they are #1 online for the most poker tournaments.

PokerStars Downloads for PC & Mac + Android & iPhone Apps

How to download PokerStars and play for real money in Canada?

Getting started is super easy, just scroll down and select the download for your device, download the software from PokerStars, create your account and finally make your first deposit to claim your bonus.

PC Download

The Canadian PokerStars real money poker download for Windows PC's is super stable and virus free, making it safe for your computer.

The PC download is compatible with the latest Windows operating systems (Windows XP - Windows 10 +) on all laptops and desktops. If you have a chromebook or a Linux system you should try the no-download software at 888 poker or a different device.

Claim your Canadian PokerStars bonus by following the download link below.

If the download is not working? Test that your internet connection is working and that the software is not blocked by your firewall. If that does not work try rebooting your computer.

Mac Download

Download PokerStars Mac software to play real money poker in Canada on your iMac or MacBook. Apple OSX systems can operate the software if they were made in the last 10 years or so and can still update to the latest Apple operating System.

All Canadian iMac desktops and laptops: MacBook, MacBook Air & Macbook Pro will all work. If you have an iPad or iPad pro you need to download the iPhone / iOS software below.

Get the current version of the Mac download for Canada and get up to a $600 when you click the direct link to PokerStars below.

Android App Download

You can get the PokerStars Android App download by following the link below to their website. The Android app is full featured and can be used on a wider variety of Android phones and tablets from manufactures like: Samsung, LG, Sony, Google, Motorola, Blackberry and Nokia.

You can play cash games including Zoom poker and tournaments from the Sunday Millions to Sit N Gos all from your Android phone and you can do it for real money of for free.

If the Android app download not working? Make sure that you have third party apps allowed in your settings and that you have your device updated to the latest version of Android software.

iPhone App Download

Get the iPhone App for PokerStars in Canada at the Apple App Store or directly from PokerStars by clicking the link below.

The iPhone app works on all Apple iOS devices including iPhones, iPads, iPad - Pros, and iPod touch.

Get your real money bonus for a real money 100% deposit bonus up to $600 (Bonus Code: STARS600) or $30 free with a $20 (Bonus Code: THIRTY) just click to go directly to the PokerStars iPhone App Download.

No Download

If you want to play on a computer or device without downloading or to use Linux, you would want the PokerStars no-download software that currently does not exist. However you can play Americas Cardroom or 888 Poker's no download poker client for real money there.

PokerStars Review - Hits and Misses

PokerStars (Canada) Review

Benefits for Canadians playing PokerStars vs other online poker sites that I have uncovered in this review are numerous, but be careful it might not be what you are looking for there are certain people that would benefit more from other sites.

PokerStars is #1 in traffic worldwide and you can always find a game at the stakes that you are looking to play or get action in a sit n go or other tournament, the fast fold Zoom poker tables have a lot of traffic as well. For beginners, play money players and micro stakes PokerStars is best, their Poker School makes it easy to learn, tons of free games and freerolls, lower rake on micro stakes than at other poker sites.

Its not all good times here, the competition is super tough especially at middle and high stakes when compared to other online sites - for most players this will make it less profitable. They also do not accept crypto (Bitcoin) which makes for much easier transactions and lower fees. The software does not have a no download version which is better for some people who desire a no-download version.

PokerStars Real Money Review

Can Canadians Play at PokerStars for Real Money?

Yes Canadians can play at PokerStars for real money - PokerStars.com is the real money poker site and PokerStars.net is the play money poker site.

PokerStars Bonus for Canadians

PokerStars Canada offers a sign up bonus for real money players of 100% up to $600 on your first three deposits. You have 60 days in which to make your deposits and 4 months in which to clear your bonus.

The $30 Free bonus requires a minimum deposit of $28 CAD, and you will get paid $5 per day for 6 days. Days 1-4 will be paid out in tournament tickets with a total value of $5 per day. On days 5&6 you will get paid in cash bonuses to your account.

Minimum deposit to claim the bonus is $20 USD which is about $28 in Canadian Dollars.

To claim your bonus enter PokerStars Marketing code 'PSP10732' and PokerStars Bonus Code 'STARS600' at every deposit. The bonus is good and the fact that you can make up to 3 deposits makes it a better deal than many other poker sites.

PokerStars Canadian Marketing Code

The PokerStars Marketing code lets PokerStars know who is sending them traffic. By using my marketing code you are helping support a fellow Canadian to be on the lookout for unsafe rigged poker sites that may help protect you in the future.

PokerStars Marketing Code: PSP10732

PokerStars Bonus Codes

There are two PokerStars bonus codes - The deposit bonus code for $30 free, and the 100% deposit match bonus code for your first deposit.

100% Bonus - PokerStars Bonus Code: STARS600

Free $30 Bonus - PokerStars Bonus Code: THIRTY

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

PokerStars Deposit Methods for Canadians Include:

Visa, Pre-paid VISA, MasterCard, pre-paid MasterCard, Instadebit, Instant e-Checks, MuchBetter, Neosurf, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, INTERAC, but NOT PayPal.

PokerStars Withdrawal Methods for Canadians Include:

Visa, Instadebit, Instant e-Checks, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, but NOT PayPal.

Recommended: VISA or Instadebit.

Poker Game Variety

Game Variety

PokerStars has the largest game variety of any online poker site - including multiple variations of Hold em, Omaha, Stud, Badugi, as well as mixed games like HORSE, 8 game mix and HOSE. With the highest player traffic volumes of any online site you can find your favorite game going on anytime.

Cash Games

PokerStars does not have games in Canadian Dollars, but does have games in US dollars, Euros and British Pounds.

Cash game rakes are 3.5% on micro stakes ($0.01 - $0.02) and 4.5% on low stakes ($0.10-$0.25) these rake levels are lower than at all other online poker sites. All other games are raked at 5% which is the same as other poker sites for medium and high stakes. The cash game rake cap varies by stakes and ranges from $2.00 - $5.00.

The number of players at the games is the standard heads up, 6 max or 9 max tables. Formats are regular speed and fast fold Zoom poker.

Tournaments

PokerStars has a staggering amount of tournaments running around the clock with buy ins running from as low as $.01 to $10 000 and prize pools that in the main Sunday Tournament exceed $1.5 million. You will find a huge diversity of tournaments in different games like 7 card Stud as well as sit n gos, heads up, turbo tournaments, 2X turbos, rebuys, multi table tournaments, deep stack tournaments, 6-max, 4-max, freeroll and satellite tournaments -including the most satellite tournaments to the WSOP of any online poker site. PokerStars also runs online tournaments just for Canada.

WSOP Satellites

PokerStars WSOP Satellites are what Chris Moneymaker won to get his seat at the WSOP Main Event. Canadians can play satellite tournaments to win the money to play at the main event and it does not have to be a specific package. The 2021 WSOP Satellites for Canadians are in the spring and allow you to win your seat for as low as $1.

Pokerstars Download

PokerStars Live Events

Qualify online to play at Live PokerStars events in Live Card Rooms or Major Tournaments. Live card rooms include: Macau, Manila or the Hippodrome Casino in London. Major tournaments are the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), The Asia Pacific Poker Tour, The European Poker-tour or The PokerStars No Limit Holdem Championship. Watch Canadian poker pro Daniel Negreanu's greatest moments playing PokerStars live poker events.

Party Casino & Sportsbetting

PokerStars Casino

PokerStars Casino it turned off by default in the poker software, you can enable it in your settings to show the casino. The casino offers casino poker games, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and online slot games for real money.

BetStars

PokerStars sports book has real money betting on popular sporting events like hockey, football, baseball, gold, tennis, basketball, soccer and more. You can enable BetStars in your settings as a separate tab in your PokerStars software.

A Closer Look:

Traffic and Growth

PokerStars is the largest poker room in the world with more players than any other site. PokerStars is an independent poker network featuring its players exclusively. There is often over 140 000 tournament players and 40 000 cash game players at peak hours. Growth is constant with new players signing up on a regular basis.

Software and Graphics

The PokerStars software is very reliable and smooth running. It is straight forward and easy to use and features a number of themes that you can download and install. Filters are available to screen though the games and tournaments to find open games that meet your selection criteria.

Players can also upload their own avatars which can be easily changed. on the downside, sometimes when trying to get into a low limit sit n go or cash game it can be a bit difficult because of the high volume of players.

Promotions and Loyalty Programs

PokerStars has a random VIP program and frequent players will receive more chances to get very good rewards including cash based on your luck. At the higher levels the rewards become very lucrative. PokerStars reload bonuses do occur but they are not as big as the initial sign up bonus most of the time. Many of the promotions and rewards are in the form of special tournaments tickets including freerolls and satellites to larger events.

Support Quality

PokerStars Canada customer support is offered 24/7 via email. Support times are fast with most questions answered within a few minutes. Response quality is excellent with competent expert answers from their support staff. Dispute managers are also on hand to handle any problems that may arise at the table.

Weak or Tough Competition?

PokerStars has weak competition at the lower limits but it gets tough, very tough as you move up the levels. It is not as tough as Full Tilt and there are many ATM's that just hang out spewing out cash. Although there is a lot of weak players there are some sharks present at the tables at higher limits. At the micros stakes PokerStars offers several games and tournaments that are rake free - so if you are just starting out and learning how to play, PokerStars will let you play for free.

Do Not Play at PokerStars if...

There may be better online poker sites for you to play at:

Bitcoin or crypto is not accepted here and you would be better off at Americas Cardroom or at Bodog who are very fast with deposits and withdrawals in cryptocurrencies.

You want to be profitable at middle stakes. At low stakes the games here are pretty weak but both tournaments and cash games are easier to beat at other poker sites for $2-$4 to $10-$20 games. The average tournament win percentage for the best players here is only 10% but 15%-20% on 888 Poker.

No download is not available at PokerStars so if you want to play poker games on somebody else's computer and not download the software, you are out of luck here. Your best options are either 888 poker or Americas Cardroom, both have excellent no-download software.

Review and Rating - 8.25 / 10

PokerStars is the worlds biggest online poker site. You can play poker for free at micro stakes and take PokerSchool to learn how to play which makes it great for beginners. The software, Low stakes rake, support, tournaments and sign up bonus are very good. The site is Canadian friendly with many deposit / withdrawal options and offers special tournaments just for Canadians. PokerStars is overall a very good site and every poker player should have an account there. Visit PokerStars Canada at www.pokerstars.com to create a new account of for further information.

Is Party Poker Better Than PokerStars?

When online poker in Canada started in the early 2000's Party Poker was by far the more popular poker site. since 2007, PokerStars has become more popular, and although both have been declining - PokerStars is now about 3X more popular than Party Poker in Canada.

PokerStars - Canadian FAQ's

PokerStars is legal to play online poker at in Canada for real money and for free. There are no laws against online poker in Canada and it is 100% legal in all provinces and territories.

Yes you can play PokerStars for real money in Canada, PokerStars have been accepting Canadians since 2006 for real money Texas Holdem and other poker games.

Canadian real money player get a first deposit bonus of 100% up to $600. Real money downloads are available for Computers (PC & Mac) and mobile apps (Android and iPhone).

The software download for PokerStars is safe for you computer being virus and malware free. They have a reputation to uphold and run a successful company running online poker games for real money, if the download was unsafe they would go bankrupt.

Being the most popular poker site in the world, PokerStars is 100% legit to play real money poker. Licensed in 22 jurisdictions PokerStars is one of the most licensed and regulated gambling companies in the world.

Yes you can play the same real money games on the PokerStars app for Android and iPhone as on the software downloads for PC and Mac computers. The software interface is different to make the mobile poker app more intuitive and user friendly.