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PokerStars vs Partypoker: Where to Roll?
PokerStars and partypoker have played a massive role in popularizing online poker. It's fair to say that today's game would probably have been very different without them. More than two decades later, each room has taken different paths, and in this article, we will expose all their features and draw conclusions to help you choose.
partypoker or PokerStars
Only a few rooms have claimed the throne of online poker. Two of them — PokerStars and partypoker. In 2006, after the adoption of the UIGEA act in the United States, party left the market and lost first place to PokerStars.
In recent years, both poker rooms have intentionally pulled back from "gray market" regions, which reduced their overall player pools. For instance, partypoker now accepts players from only nine countries.
That said, partypoker and PokerStars remain two of the most recognizable brands in modern online poker, known for their strong reputations and well-established payment systems.
In this article, we’ll compare these poker rooms using the following criteria:
- Rake: commission percentage and cap sizes.
- Promotions and rakeback: loyalty program features, rakeback terms, and other terms.
- Traffic: peak hours, player distribution by limits, and games.
- Games: available poker formats and tournament types.
- Software: app features, external HUD support.
- Player pool: ratio of regular to recreational players.
- Cashier: available deposit and withdrawal methods, limits, and terms.
PokerStars vs partypoker rake
We've collected the rake structure of both rooms in the following table:
| Blinds | NLH (PP) | NLH (PS) | Fast Fold (PP) | Fast Fold (PS) | PLO (PP) | PLO (PS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.01/$0.02 | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 3.5% ($0.30) | 5% ($1.00) | 3.3% ($0.30) |
| $0.02/$0.05 | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 4.15% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 3.9% ($1.00) |
| $0.05/$0.10 | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 5% ($1.00) | 4.5% ($1.50) | 5% ($1.00) | 4.25% ($2.00) |
| $0.10/$0.25 | 5% ($3.00) | 4.5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 4.5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 4.25% ($2.00) |
| $0.25/$0.50 | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.00) |
| $0.50/$1 | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.50) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.50) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.50) |
| $1/$2 | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.75) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.75) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($2.75) |
| $2.50/$5 | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) | 5% ($3.00) |
| $5/$10 | 5% ($3.00) | 4.5% ($3.00) | — | — | 5% ($3.00) | 4.5% ($3.00) |
At partypoker, caps, and sometimes even rake percentages, are higher at almost all limits up to $1/$2. Parity is only observed at regular tables at stakes of NL2-10. The rake is also completely equal at stakes of $2.50/$5, and at higher limits, PokerStars again has the advantage.
In Spin & Go, partypoker has lower rake in tournaments with buy-ins of $10 and $50, while fees are the same at other limits.
Rakeback and bonuses
| PokerStars | Partypoker | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | 100% up to $600 | 100% up to $600 |
| Payouts | — | 10% of the bonus amount |
| Time | 120 days | 90 days |
| Rakeback | 33% | 16%–33%, depending on the game type |
| Min deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Bonus Code | STARS600 | — |
For newcomers, both sites offer similar welcome bonuses to choose from:
- 100% up to $600 locked bonus for those looking to grind and deposit higher amounts.
- Instant tickets. partypoker gives $10 or $30 depending on the deposit, while PokerStars gives $30 for any amount.
UK players receive a special welcome package at partypoker: a 100% bonus up to £1,000 and £50 in tickets.
Stars rewards vs cashback
PokerStars and partypoker have both recently renewed their loyalty programs. While each offers direct rakeback once players reach specific levels, the percentages and payout structures differ.
| Stars Rewards | Cashback | |
|---|---|---|
| Rakeback | 15%–40%* | 8%–20% |
| Number of levels | 6 | Unlimited |
| Qualification period | 28 days | Weekly |
| Payout system | Via chests | Automatic (every Monday) |
| Minimum rake | $20 | $25 |
*At PokerStars, Select and Select+ are annual tiers that provide 50% and 60% rakeback, with automatic daily payouts.
It’s also important to note that in both VIP systems, some points may expire without compensation, as rakeback is only awarded upon reaching certain levels.
Promo
Although Stars Rewards offers higher rakeback, partypoker offers players several ongoing promotions:
- Cash Games & Fast Forward Diamond Club Challenge. A monthly rake race with payouts of up to $5,000 in party dollars.
- Diamond Club Challenges for Spin & Go players, giving up to 50% rakeback every month.
SPINS Overdrive Leaderboards. Six daily leaderboards for Spin & Go players up to $20.
Software comparison
PokerStars platform was considered the best one. Its unique features are: Modern and sophisticated design; Stability and functionality; Advanced filters; Many customization options.
In partypoker, the situation is the opposite; the client is developed and supported by a third-party company, and it's based on a code crafted over 10 years ago. Nevertheless, this hasn't stopped the room from innovating or changing the table design.
Overall, the partypoker platform fulfills the needs of almost all players, although, of course, it's still far from the PokerStars application.
Third-party software
PS and partypoker are very different in this area, and mostly regulars notice it.
Unlike PokerStars, partypoker prohibits any third-party program from working in real-time and with hand histories (trackers, HUD).
The players of the room can only download anonymous hand history to upload it to HM3 to analyze their own game.
Both sites allow "Caption" software; as usual, any automatic tool or RTA is prohibited.
Mobile app
PokerStars and partypoker have modern mobile apps with different approaches to usability:
- PokerStars emphasized functionality: a rich interface, numerous settings, a wide selection of formats, and flexible table management. It feels like a desktop experience translated into a mobile format.
- partypoker has a simpler approach: less clutter, faster game entry, and a more intuitive interface.
Traffic overview
Although PokerStars is no longer the world’s leading poker room, it still vastly outpaces partypoker in overall traffic. In terms of average player numbers, the Red Spade remains ahead by several dozen times.
However, such numbers say almost nothing to a player. It's more important to know about poker formats, stakes, peak times, etc. Therefore we will study this area further.
Game variety
In addition to the classic NLH and PLO, PokerStars offers the following games:
- 7 Card Stud
- Five Card Draw
- 2-7 Triple and Single Draw
- 8-Game Mix
- Razz
- HORSE
- Badugi
- Short Deck Hold'em
- 5-Card Omaha
Naturally, the number of such games is limited, but partypoker doesn’t offer them at all. And 9-max tables are absent as well. Most of its traffic at partypoker is concentrated in 6-max NLH games with stakes up to $5/$10, though PokerStars certainly has higher traffic.
Fast-fold poker
PokerStars and partypoker offer a similar range of limits in their Fast Poker formats, with stakes going up to $2/$5, including Omaha and HU - tables. However, Fastforward traffic on partypoker is much lower, and PLO action is nearly nonexistent.
MTT tournaments
Tournaments have always been one of the main features of PokerStars: a wide variety of events, massive guarantees, and its own live series with packages that can be won online.
All this is relevant, but even though partypoker is inferior to MTT in "size," its grid has appealing features:
- Small fields.
- The predominance of tournaments with only 1 re-entry.
- Series of multi-day events with massive prize pools compared to regular MTTs.
- Hybrid tournaments that start online and finish live.
Spins
Spins Overdrive at partypoker has multipliers ranging from x2 to x24k and can have hundreds of variations, including fractional numbers. The tournament structure depends entirely on the multiplier.
Unlike PokerStars, partypoker has a $100 maximum limit and significantly fewer players in tournaments of all buy-ins. However, local Spin & Go players can boast up to 50% rakeback and regular daily leaderboards for tournaments up to $20.
Softness of the field
Although partypoker and PokerStars have been applying different measures to protect the poker ecology, due to their popularity and the benefits of the loyalty system in both rooms, the "regfestation" is higher than the industry average.
This is especially true for medium and high stakes for Zoom and Spins. Of course, also due to their popularity, both rooms attract many amateurs to the lowest stakes, including those from casinos and sports betting.
Overall, we can conclude that both sites' skill level is not a benefit.
Policy towards professionals and amateurs
As we said above, the management of the room declares that their main database is composed of casual players, and the regulars exist only as a living element of the ecosystem, the role of which is mainly negative.
Due to this, they have restricted table selection, PS introduced active waiting lists, and partypoker banned HUDS.
However, unlike GG Network, these rooms have not killed a decent rakeback. Pros are still welcome; it's just more challenging to use their skill to beat amateurs fast.
Ambassadors
The teams of both rooms have significantly been reduced in recent years. At the same time, PokerStars began to recruit celebrities instead of professional players (Neymar or Ronaldo).
Partypoker continues to work with streamers and middle-stakes grinders. Meet Team partypoker consists solely of brothers Jamie and Matt Staples.
Deposits and withdrawals
Extensive experience in the online poker market has helped the rooms gain an impeccable reputation regarding payouts. Both offer a comprehensive set of payment processors. You can find:
- Visa, Mastercard.
- Skrill.
- Neteller.
- ecoPayz.
- MuchBetter.
- Webmoney.
- Luxon.
- Bank transfer.
None of these poker rooms have added cryptocurrencies to the cashier.
Customer service
The primary way of communicating with the poker room is e-mail. We didn't notice any particular differences in the speed of responses.
Both sites also run active social network accounts (X/Twitter, Facebook), and any question can be asked to their representatives there.
Final thoughts
| Feature | PokerStars | partypoker |
|---|---|---|
| Medium traffic (cash + tournaments) | 50 000 | 1 500 |
| Games | 6-. 9-max, NLH, PLO, PLO5, Zoom, MTT, SNG, Spin & Go | 6-.max NLH, PLO, PLO Hi-Low, Fastforward, MTT, SNG, Spins Overdrive |
| Welcome Bonus | 100% up to $600 | 100% up to $600 |
| Rake | 5% (NL10K$ - 4,5%, Zoom and PLO up to $0.10/$0.25 - 3,5%-4,5%) | 5% |
| Rakeback | 15%-60% | 10%-20%, up to 50% for Spins players |
| Regular promos | Early Bird Zoom (2x Points NL500$) | Cash Games Challenge, Spins Leaderboards |
| Major Series | SCOOP, WCOOP | MILLIONS Online |
| Fast Poker | Zoom (up to NL500$) | Fastforward (up to NL500$) |
| Spins | Spin&Go NLH, PLO | Spins Overdrive NLH, PLO |
| Live event satellites | RPT, BSOP | PartyPoker Tour |
| HUD support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Crypto cashier | ❌ No | ❌ No |
PokerStars and partypoker have many similarities and differences. Ultimately, which room suits you better depends on your individual needs.
What we can do is highlight the situations where one site may be the better choice.
- If you're a multi-tabling fan and need lots of active tables at your working limit 👉 choose PokerStars.
- Lower rake is important in cash games 👉 PokerStars.
- Want high rakeback for playing cash games👉 PokerStars.
- Play old, rare poker games👉 PokerStars.
- Can't play without a HUD👉 PokerStars.
- Want high rakeback for playing Spin & Go👉 PartyPoker.
- You're a grinder and plan to finish high in the rake race👉 PartyPoker.
- You enjoy smaller MTTs with high reentry limits👉 PartyPoker.
- Don't like it when opponents can use statistics from an external HUD against you👉 PartyPoker.
| Category | PokerStars | Partypoker |
|---|---|---|
| Software | 🥇 | |
| Traffic | 🥇 | |
| Games | 🥇 | |
| Softness of the field | 🤝 | 🤝 |
| Promotions | 🥇 | |
| Rake | 🥇 | |
| Cashier | 🤝 | 🤝 |
In addition, you can contact our support team for more detailed advice on choosing a poker room:
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