PokerStars has become the go-to site for anyone who want to play online poker for real money because it welcomes players of varying skill levels to its many games and tournaments. PokerStars may be installed on many different types of computers. Users can start playing straight away for free with in-game cash or for real money after signing up for an account and downloading the software. PokerStars is one of the most common online poker platforms in the world, and if you’re a Pokerstars fan from California, you’ve probably wondered how to play. Now let’s dive into how to play Pokerstars in California.
Can You Play in California?
If you live in California and enjoy playing online poker, you may be curious about whether or not PokerStars is accessible from your location. Unfortunately, PokerStars does not currently have any operations in the state of California, and as a result, residents of the state are unable to use the website to engage in real-money gambling there. They are, nonetheless, able to participate in the PokerStars game using the play money version.
How To Get Around Geo-Restrictions
Residents of California are unable to directly access the PokerStars website because of the state’s legal restrictions on online gambling. Nevertheless, if you use a virtual private network, or VPN, such as NordVPN, you may get around these restrictions and continue with PokerStars without leaving the convenience of your own home. Users of the trustworthy virtual private network (VPN) provider NordVPN have the opportunity to access websites that are blocked or restricted due to their location.
How To Use NordVPN
With NordVPN’s VPN service, your online traffic is encrypted before being routed through a server in another location. When you’re connected to NordVPN, your data is encrypted at both ends of your internet connection, making it difficult for anyone to see what you transmit or receive online. Furthermore, NordVPN masks your true IP address by replacing it with the IP address of the server you’re connected to. You can fool websites into thinking you’re in a different country by using a VPN. To access content that is blocked in your country or region, you will need to use a virtual private network (VPN).
NordVPN’s vast server network may be accessed from anywhere in the world thanks to its many different locations. You can tailor your NordVPN experience by connecting to a server that best suits your needs and preferences. If, for any reason, a certain website you want to visit is blocked in your country, you can connect to a server in a region where it is accessible. Doing so will grant you access to the site. Thanks to this, you can access the site as if you were actually in that time zone.
Using NordVPN for Beginners
Here’s how to set up NordVPN for use with PokerStars:
- Create an account with NordVPN and select a plan that meets your requirements.
- After signing up for NordVPN, the next step is to install the software on your device.
- After installing NordVPN, use the program and link up with a server in a country where PokerStars is accessible.
- With NordVPN, you may access PokerStars from anywhere in the world, as if you were really situated near the server you connected to.
You can use a virtual private network (VPN) to connect to a server in the United Kingdom or Canada, where Pokerstars is legally accessible, and play there from California. If you do this, the site will treat your account and game play as if you were physically located in that nation. You should know that PokerStars will suspend or perhaps permanently ban your account if they discover that you have been using a virtual private network (VPN) to access the site.
Top 3 Alternative Poker Sites for California Players
1. Ignition Poker
Launched in 2016, Ignition Poker is one of the newest online poker rooms available. It is affiliated with the Bodog/Bovada/Ignition family of sites, which includes some of the most trusted and popular names in the online gaming industry. If you make your first deposit using crypto, you can get a 100% Poker and Casino Welcome Bonus worth up to $3,000, while if you use a credit card, you can get up to $2,000 Withdrawals from Ignition Poker are typically handled within 24 hours, making them some of the quickest in the business. The user-friendly interface and overall design of Ignition Poker’s software make it ideal for players of all skill levels. Ignition Poker is a great choice for Californian poker players because it is both reputable and legitimate. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- Support for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
- integrated real-time chat player
- huge welcome bonus
- Quick Withdrawals
- Intuitive Programs
Cons
- Sometimes servers will go down during a game
- Rake more heavily
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada, an online poker site, was formed in 2011 as a spinoff of the more established Bodog.com. The new platform provides American poker players with a safe and dependable online poker space. Bovada has risen to the top of the U.S. online poker sector because of its cutting-edge software, lightning-fast payouts, and generous bonuses. Bovada Poker is one of the best places for Californians to play online poker. When it comes to paying out winnings, Bovada is far superior to other online poker rooms. Tools like player hand histories, annotations, and custom tables are available for players to use to improve their performance. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Gamer-friendly applications
- Promotions and bonuses that are generous
- Instantaneous deposits and withdrawals
- There are many different games to choose from
- Incentives for Customer Loyalty
Cons
- Increased Betting Capacity
- Not all casino games may be tried before you buy
- Rake is increased
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline has been around since 1991, initially as a sportsbook but now also providing other forms of online gambling, such as poker. BetOnline Poker has been operating since 2011, but because of its user-friendly layout, timely payouts, and dependable customer care, it has quickly become a favorite among players. BetOnline Poker has a lot going for it, but one of the best features is that it is accessible to anyone in California. In contrast to PokerStars, BetOnline is fully licensed to do business in the state, and it has a stellar reputation for both safety and fairness among its players. BetOnline also provides new customers with a substantial $1,000 welcome bonus. The site also runs a number of high-stakes poker tournaments in different formats, such as sit-and-gos, freerolls, and multi-table tournaments. BetOnline Poker is a great choice if you’re a California poker player seeking a trustworthy and legitimate site to play on. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- Available in the Golden State
- Bonus generously offered:
- prompt payments
- Simple to use design
- Games of varying types
- Mobile-friendly software
- Acceptance of cryptocurrencies as payment
Cons
- There will be no PayPal payments accepted.
- Not strict enough in their crackdown on HUDs
- weak choices in the tournament
- Generally lower minimums for cashing checks
Helpful Tips for the PokerStars Table
- If you want lag-free gameplay, use a VPN with a solid connection.
- Make use of PokerStars’ many bonuses and special offers.
- Don’t go broke trying to win back your losses; stick to your budget.
- If you want to improve your odds of winning, you should study the game’s rules.
Final Thoughts
Although PokerStars does not yet have a license to operate in California, there are still ways to play online poker despite this. Utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) or physically moving to a permitted state are both choices; however, you should be aware of the dangers and repercussions associated with each. Following these guidelines, you should be able to play PokerStars in California without any problems. Remember to play within your means, do your research, and gamble responsibly at all times.
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