PokerStars launches US-facing freeplay dot.net app

PokerStars, the online poker giant bidding to take over the Atlantic Club casino in New Jersey, has launched a free-to-play mobile app in the US for iOS and Android devices.

The PokerStars.net app, which is also available to download in all markets, pools liquidity from smartphone and tablet users across all markets for its Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo games. The launch is the first from the Isle of Man-licensed operator aimed at the US market, albeit on a free-to-pay basis, since it settled its civil case with the DoJ in July 2012 and acquired its former rival Full Tilt Poker.

The app gives players access to tournaments, its fast-fold Zoom product, the chance to play on multiple tables and a chat function. It went live in Apple’s App Store with iPhone- and iPad-optimised variants, as well as Android’s Google Play store, on 4 April. In February, Stars ‘ freeplay poker app launched in closed beta form on Facebook, mimicking its dot.net web client, and according to Facebook has more than 9,500 monthly active users. PokerStars.net ranks second in Pokerscout’s play-money user number statistics behind Zynga Poker.

Last month Stars also launched four new real-money Omaha games on its dot.com and dot.country websites, Courchevel, Courchevel Hi/Lo, 5 Card Omaha Hi/Lo and 5 Card Omaha, the first new games to be added to its core offering since 2008.