PokerStars

Overview

PokerStars US looks different in 2026. In April the brand went live as PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel, merging the previously separate New Jersey and Michigan rooms and adding Pennsylvania for the first time. Pokerfuse confirmed the launch in its April 2026 coverage. The result is a three-state player pool covering NJ, MI and PA. It is not part of MSIGA, so the network is not shared with Nevada, Delaware or West Virginia.

Both new and existing players have to create fresh accounts under the new platform, including choosing a new username. That caused a short dip in cash traffic during the migration week, which had recovered by late April according to pokerfuse traffic trackers.

Welcome Bonus

The headline offer is a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $30 in tournament tickets, identical across NJ, MI and PA. Qualifying deposit is $10 minimum. The bonus releases as you earn redemption points through raked hands and tournament fees. Players who already hold a FanDuel sportsbook or casino account can still claim the poker welcome because it is tracked separately in the new integrated wallet.

Cash Games

Cash tables run six-max and heads-up, primarily NLHE with strong PLO traffic at $0.50/$1 and $1/$2. Zoom (fast-fold) pools are the most active in the US market at micro and low stakes. The three-state pool made $2/$5 NLHE a daily runner again for the first time since Black Friday, which matters for grinders. Player quality skews tougher than WSOP because PokerStars attracts a higher percentage of study-focused regulars.

Tournaments

The tournament schedule is the deepest in regulated US poker. The Sunday Special leads the week with guarantees that climbed to $150K after the PA merge. Daily guarantees span $2 micros through $500 high rollers. The COOP series (NJCOOP, MICOOP, PACOOP) now runs as a unified USCOOP twice a year, which is the single biggest structural upgrade from the relaunch. Progressive knockout formats and bounty builders dominate the daily lobby.

Software & UX

The client is the same PokerStars 7 build used internationally, adapted for the FanDuel wallet. Mobile apps for iOS and Android support up to four tables; desktop handles twenty-four. Features that US players have not had before include Stars Rewards Chests, the Home Games feature for private clubs, and run-it-twice on all cash stakes. Geolocation is handled through FanDuel's existing GeoComply stack, which is faster than the prior standalone system.

Rewards Program

Stars Rewards replaces the old state-by-state VIP systems. Players earn redemption points on rake and unlock Rewards Chests that contain bonus cash, tournament tickets or StarsCoin. Effective rakeback for recreational players lands in the 10–20% range; high-volume grinders can push it higher with milestone chest upgrades. The system is opaque compared with BetMGM's flat BRP math, and that remains the most common complaint in player forums.

The Bottom Line

PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel is now the best tournament product in the US for players in NJ, MI or PA who want deep fields and a polished client. Cash games are tougher than WSOP or BetMGM but traffic is healthier at mid-stakes than anywhere else in the regulated market. The merged player pool is a genuine structural advantage. If you are a serious tournament player in one of the three states, this is your first install. Must be 21+ and located in NJ, MI or PA. Problem gambling help at 1-800-GAMBLER.