The best PokerStars alternatives
The online poker provider PokerStars has suspended the play money offer for players from Malaysia in February 2021. This means that social online poker games with virtual chips are no longer possible on the platform. This primarily affects players who want to organise tournaments and play rounds with play money in clubs or with friends.
The operator PokerStars cites regulation in Malaysia as the reason. However, players in Malaysia can still use other platforms for social poker. We have compiled an overview of the best PokerStars alternatives for online poker with play money.
PokerStars has discontinued play money tournaments
PokerStars announced the suspension of the play money offer on the platform in February 2021 (we reported). This measure only affects the provider’s customers from Malaysia. Since then, players residing in Malaysia no longer have access to online poker with play money and can neither acquire free chips nor play money packages. This step came unexpectedly and prevents social online poker tournaments in clubs or with friends.
Real money play is not affected. PokerStars has only frozen the balance of play money chips and blocked access to the play money area. According to management, they are reviewing the situation and will communicate any changes to affected players. A return of the offer is not excluded, but PokerStars has not announced a time limit.
The top alternatives for online poker tournaments with play money
It cannot be ruled out that PokerStars will enable the play money offer again in the future. On the other hand, other online poker platforms could also have regulatory concerns and suspend the social poker offer for Malaysian. However, there are currently still alternatives to PokerStars for organising online poker tournaments and home games with play money in Malaysia. We introduce you to the best social poker providers.
1. Replay Poker
Replay Poker was founded in 2005 by poker fans in Sweden, but is now based in the UK. Replay Poker is poised to become the best site for social poker players. The offer is aimed at newcomers and professionals alike and includes a large community of poker players.
Replay Poker works via instant play in the browser and is 100% free. Players can choose from Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Stud and Royal Poker as well as No Lomit, Limit and Pot Limit formats.
Replay Poker is popular with social poker players in Germany because of the private tables and online poker leagues. Members have the option to create their own league and organise private MTTs with friends or club members. League play includes entire tournament series and rankings. One or two players in a league can take on the role of organiser.
In addition, there is a new feature called Private Ring Games at Replay Poker. Players can invite themselves to private tables and play 1/2 No Limit Hold’em. Other game types, formats and stakes are to follow.
Replay Poker is free to play
“Replay Poker is run by a team of poker players who have over 75 years of combined business experience. With former PokerStars employees on board, we are well placed to offer players a social poker site that is fun and different. We follow the free-to-play model with the option to buy chips. Therefore, we can always offer social poker players a place to stay even when other sites stop offering free play.”
Jonny Chapman, Player Marketing Manager at Replay Poker
2. 888 Poker
888 Poker allows you to play with friends with play money. The option can be found in the menu under “Additional games”. There you can start the game with friends and accept an invitation or start a private game yourself.
You can choose from tournaments and cash games for the poker evening with friends and specify the format, buy-in and start time. Currently, you cannot start private games with a mobile device, but it is possible to participate with a mobile phone or tablet. You can share the link for your private game via email or social media.
3. partypoker
Partypoker has been offering private poker games on the platform since 2020. The format of the “clubs” is similar to the former PokerStars offer, but has its own special features. Each player can create a maximum of up to five clubs, but can join as many other clubs as desired. However, only cash games can be selected for online poker home games.
As poker variants, partypoker offers No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. You can select two, six or eight seats per table. The buy-in can be between 10 and 200 blinds. The advantages of partypoker clubs are the quick set-up of the games and the comfort of the platform or software. There are many setting options for customisation, but unfortunately you are limited to cash games.
4. World Series of Poker WSOP
The official online poker offer of the World Series of Poker also allows social games with friends. The platform is accessible via website or app for Android and iOS and allows cross-platform play. WSOP Social Poker lets you choose between Texas Hold’em and Omaha and you can invite friends to play games with play money.
5. EasyPoker
EasyPoker is an app for Android and iOS to host virtual poker home games with play money. Private tables can be created quickly and easily for Hold’em, Short Deck, Reverse Hold’em, Heads up and other formats and variations. You can easily create MTTs and Sit-and-Go rounds. There is no need to buy play money or chips with real money.
You can create a table for two to twelve players and simply invite friends and other players via a four-digit PIN. The user interface of the app is kept particularly simple, can also be operated one-handed and offers practical functions for a virtual round with friends such as voice messages.
6. Zynga Poker
Zynga Poker ist eine der ältesten und bekanntesten Social Poker Plattformen mit mehreren Millionen Mitgliedern weltweit. Zynga Poker ist vor allem auf das Texas Hold’em Spiel mit Fremden ausgelegt, bietet aber auch weltweite Ligen und einen Social Poker Modus für das Spiel mit FrZynga Poker is one of the oldest and best-known social poker platforms with several million members worldwide.
Zynga Poker is primarily designed for Texas Hold’em play with strangers, but also offers worldwide leagues and a social poker mode for playing with friends. Here you can invite other players to virtual home games with cash games and tournaments.