Inside Poker

PokerStars is launching a new form of online poker - Home Games.

The new software - one of the site's biggest ever releases - enable players to enter private ‘Poker Clubs’ and enter online Home Games together from anywhere in the world.

Players can choose to compete in ring games and tournaments, across a variety of poker variants, and at whatever stakes they want - all against people they know.

Speaking after the launch was announced, PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu, who has helped test the software, said: “Nothing like this has been offered online before. It’s so easy to use.

"My favourite aspect of Home Games is the fact that you can create your own Club and customise it any way you want, just like you would in a home game with friends.

"I love playing mixed games, and the software allows you to choose from a wide variety of games to add to your Club. The Leaderboard is also something I love. I'm a stats geek at heart.”

The Home Game package enables players o create and manage their own private Poker Clubs online, invite friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, email, and in person, to play in fully customisable tournaments and ring games. You can also compete in Club Leagues and competitions.

You can set up a Club by becoming a Manager, or join a Club that you have been invited to by a friend. There are a significant range of options and features to view and customise, including:

•    Club Management Tools – appoint managers, accept/remove/reinstate/suspend members, customise your club lobby, set length of club seasons and much more
•    Club Leaderboard – ranks players by points earned through tournament play
•    Player Statistics – view points earned, top finishes, knockouts for each club member
•    Game Management Tools – customise game parameters and schedule games
•    Game Schedule – list of scheduled tournaments and open ring game tables
•    Game Results – view tournament results including finish order, points earned, knockouts
•    Full Range of Poker Games – choose Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, Mixed Games etc
•    Social Media – invite friends to join your club via Facebook and Twitter

Anyone who wants to try it can access the new software through the updated PokerStars download - just click on the Home Games tab.