Stan James Poker Overview
Since 1979, the Stan James brand has been providing customers with a class gambling experience. When Stan James launched its poker room, the quality experience didn't change.
Part of the Microgaming Network, Stan James provides its players with top notch software. Being part of a great network like Microgaming also bolsters Stan James' player volume. Day or night, there is always a game to play.
Speaking of games, Stan James offers alot. Players can try their hand at cash games, tournaments, and Sit n Gos. You can play for pennies or go big and play for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Whether you're a rookie or an online veteran, you'll fit right in at Stan James. Besides poker, Stan James offers a Casino and Sportsbook.
To welcome you to the poker room, Stan James provides new customers with a $1,000 bonus. The free money doesn't stop there. You can also score some cash from tournament leaderboards, new player tournaments, rake races. Stan James also gives you the opportunity to qualify for live tournaments such as the Irish Open.
StanJamesPoker Software & Interface
The Stan James poker client installs quickly, and you can save time by filling out the registration form while the software is installing. The overall green theme looks clean and simple, although some of the interface features like the dialog boxes look a bit dated, reminiscent of Windows operating systems of the past. The lobby is pretty standard, with a list of game types on the left to choose from (Tournament, Sit and Go, Cash Games, Hold'em, Omaha, 7 Stud, etc) and a middle pane where a list of tables is displayed. There is a small preview pane in the upper left which shows the currently seated players at that particular table. There is a handy option in the lobby front page, where you can choose between two multi-tabling options, tiled or cascade. When multitabling after selecting an option, the tables will automatically re-arrange themselves according to your preference.
The poker tables use a simple green felt theme, a true classic look that doesn't get old. There are no avatars, so the theme remains very clean and easy on the eyes. There is a handy +1 button in the bottom right which automatically opens and joins another table of the same stakes, a definite bonus for multitabling players. The betting buttons are pretty standard, with bet-sizing buttons (default settings are min, 2x, 3x, 4x, All-in), and all your normal auto-check/fold type options. The timer starts making a ticking sound when you have 10 seconds remaining to act. One quirk is that the software automatically "rabbit holes" the next card, flashing what the next street would have been had you not folded. Our feelings are pretty mixed on this feature.
The chat feature is pretty standard, and easy to use. You can click a button to pop it out into a larger viewing pane on the right side of the window. Next to the chat is the stats pane, where you can view the number of showdowns you have won, check, fold, call, bet, raise and re-raise percentages and so on. There is a very useful graphical hand history viewer with which you can review your previous hands quickly and easily.
Entering the settings window, there is an auto-topup feature which is useful for people who want to be sitting down with a certain stack size at all times. One new feature of the Microgaming software is the Pocket Card Manager, which has had mixed reviews in the poker community. Basically, by enabling it you tell the software to automate certain preflop decisions like folding 72o or J3o preflop in early position. On the one hand, this makes multitabling less of a chore when it comes to making mundane decisions such as this, but on the other hand you could argue that the default settings for preflop starting hand ranges based on position crosses the border into being too "bot-like", and also breaches that golden rule to never coach a fish. Only time will tell if the feature catches on with other poker rooms and becomes a standard offering.
StanJames.com Poker Action & Traffic
In general, the action at Stan James is good. At peak times, there are more players, but you'll also finds hundreds of players online during the early morning hours. Most of the players are playing low to midstake No Limit Hold 'Em. You can also find players at mostly low stake Sit and Gos. On Sundays, the tournaments at Stan James really fill up.
Stan James Poker Fish Rating & Ease of Players
It's very hard to find a table full of fish at Stan James or any other poker site. It's no longer 2005 and players are familiar with the basics of poker. Even at low limits, you will find players using aggressive tactics like 3-betting and 4-betting. That being said, if you game select well, it's possible to find weaker opponents. Try watching a few tables before you sit down. Try to identify opponents you can exploit. Also, play in tournaments is very weak compared to cash games.
StanJames Poker Bonus & Promotions
At Stan James you can earn up to a $1,000 no matter what your deposit is. After you register an account, deposit at least $30 to activate the bonus. The bonus is automatic, so you don't have to type in a Stan James Bonus Code or talk to customer support. You have 60 days to earn the bonus. The bonus is released in $50 increments according to the schedule below.
To earn points, play in real money cash games and tournaments. You earn 10 Stan James points for every $1 in rake paid.
Besides a nice welcome bonus, Stan James offers tens of thousands of promotional dollars via new player tournaments, rake races, tournament leaderboards, bad beat jackpots, and refer a friend bonuses.
Check out the Stan James poker page for current bonuses and promotions.
StanJames.com Customer Support
Need help? Stan James offers support through email, live chat, or phone. Best of all, operators are available 24/7 every day of the year!
Email: service@stanjames.com
Call Centre
Freephone from the UK: 0800 211 222
Local/National Rate from a Mobile: 020 7257 8401
Outside the UK: +800 1124 1124
Customer service
Freephone from the UK: 08000 35 11 36
Local/National Rate from a Mobile: 020 7257 8402
Outside the UK: +350 200 44 002