Poker Players Evaluate PokerStars Software Updates

PokerStars, the most popular poker room on the internet, has released software and server updates that have enhanced the experience for players.  As one of the most player-friendly poker rooms with arguably the best customer service in the business, PokerStars has earned the reputation of taking user suggestions to heart and fast-tracking them to implementation.  The recent PokerStars software upgrades include:

RSA Security Token
This state-of-the-art security solution is a special token that can be purchased for 6,000 Frequent Player Points (FPPs) in the VIP store.  The token continually has a changing password synched to a secure server that is linked with the PokerStars login.  Without this security token, it’s impossible to login even if you have a user’s account password.

Security PIN Number
Adding a layer of security to the login (does not require a token) is the PIN, which is entered via a “virtual keypad” instead of the keyboard.  The position of the numbers changes each time (randomly) when a user logs in.

Sit and Go Rematch Prompt
At the end of any sit and go, users will be prompted for a rematch.  If the players accept, a new tournament is created immediately without the need to visit the lobby.

Ring Game Table Color Highlighting
Tables in the ring game lobby on PokerStars will now be highlighted in red if you are currently sitting at it and in pink if you are on the waiting list.

New Time Zones
Time zones added for Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, and Brazil.

New Languages
All major European and Cyrillic languages have been added, bringing the total to 26.

Performance Upgrades to Decrease Lag
Improved performance of the software to properly handle bandwidth requirements when 200,000 or more players are logged in.

Player reaction to the software upgrades has been almost universally positive.  Here is feedback we received when polling various regular PokerStars players:

Irexes (Low-Stakes Ring Game Player and Weekly Participant in the Sunday Million)
The table color highlighting is tremendous.  It’s an example of how important usability is and how simple it is to improve things. Many times, I’ve gone to add myself to a waitlist on a table only to see I’m already on it.  The new time zones have been very handy and I’ve never had any real problems with lag performance, so haven’t noticed an improvement.

Tenbob (Low-Stakes Ring Game Player)
My security PIN was given to me when my MSN was hacked after some random person figured out my security question. I had to contact all five poker rooms I play at and PokerStars was the only one that took it seriously, instantly introducing the PIN code on my account. This way, a key logger virus cannot gain access to my account on PokerStars.  It gives peace of mind that even if my machine is stolen with the password “remembered,” no one cannot access my account.

ChuckTs (Mid-Stakes Ring Game Player)
I just think PokerStars’ constant upgrades solidify its number one spot in the industry. The new security PIN and RSA token, both of which I’ve been using, are huge for a poker player like myself who now feels a lot safer with their bankroll online. Their other poker-specific features are also fantastic and show how much they listen to the poker players on their site. I was going to move to a smaller site for rakeback reasons, but PokerStars is making a strong case for itself and, to be honest, I’m having a tough time leaving them.