StakeKings Review: Is StakeKings the Best Poker Staking site?
If you're one of many poker players who have heard about selling action and staking other players but are unsure of where to turn, you have come to the right place. On the surface, staking seems complicated, but StakeKings has taken all the pain away by creating an easy-to-use platform for players and poker fans of all abilities and experience who want to get involved in staking.
StakeKings offers a platform for investors to buy or sell stakes in tournaments or live-streamed cash game action. You can buy and sell as little as 1%, opening the door to buying pieces of players you never thought possible. There is a reason that StakeKings is now the official staking partner of PokerNews. Keep reading to find out why.
What is StakeKings?
StakeKings is a unique platform that allows individuals to invest in poker players by purchasing stakes in their tournament entries. This means investors can profit from players' successes without playing themselves. StakeKings handles the logistics, including payouts, making it easy for both players and investors to participate in the high-stakes world of poker.
PokerNews' Lukas "RobinPoker" Robinson put together this short video highlighting how easy it is to become a StakeKings investor and seller.
How Does StakeKings Work?
StakeKings operates on a simple yet effective premise: investors can browse through a roster of vetted poker players and purchase a percentage of their tournament buy-ins. Once a player's action is posted, investors can choose the amount they want to invest, from as little as 1%, up to the full buy-in amount.
When the player competes and wins, profits are distributed proportionally to investors based on their stake percentage. This model allows anyone, from casual fans to serious investors, to get involved in the poker scene without needing to play the game themselves. What's more, StakeKings does all the work for you! All you have to do is choose a player to stake, then sit back, watch the pro you've backed in action, and sweat whatever tournament they're playing with them.
StakeKings Website Review - How Easy is it to Use?
The StakeKings website is very user-friendly. It makes it effortless for investors to navigate the site and choose a pro to back. StakeKings' clean design and intuitive layout allows users to quickly browse available players, their upcoming tournaments, and markup percentages. Investors can easily filter and sort players based on various criteria, such as buy-ins or player ratings, streamlining the selection process.
If you're not sure who to back or which players give you the best chance of an ROI on your investment, don't worry. Detailed player profiles, including performance history and track records, can be easily accessed when you're browsing the site. Additionally, StakeKings simplifies the staking process, from purchasing stakes to receiving payouts, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for all types of people looking to stake their favorite players.
All in all, the user experience and interface on the site make it simple to navigate and ultimately stake a player.
Finding Players to Stake on StakeKings
On StakeKings, finding players to stake is straightforward. The platform has a section where investors can browse a list of available players and their upcoming tournament actions. Investors can filter by various criteria, such as player ratings, upcoming tournaments, and buy-in amounts, to find exactly the right player to back.
Each player profile provides essential details, including their track record, performance history, and markup percentage. This information helps investors make informed decisions about which players to back based on past results. Whether you're looking for seasoned pros or rising stars, StakeKings offers a diverse selection, making it easy for investors to find and stake players that align with their investment preferences.
What Players Can I Stake on StakeKings?
StakeKings offers a diverse range of players to stake, from renowned pros to up-and-coming talents. It doesn't matter of you are a low-stakes online grinder or a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, you can join StakeKings, and buy and sell action!
Anyone who plays live and online poker and who has created a free StakeKings account can get in on the action. Dozens of big names regularly sell pieces of single tournaments or all-encompassing packages, including for SCOOP and the WSOP. The list of players is huge and changes all the time as players from far and wide buy and sell packages. If you head to the StakeKings Market Place, you can search by event name or type, by player name, the markup they are charging, the buy-in of the tournaments or packages, and by various tags.
Best of all, if you discover a player you'd love a piece of does not currently have any packages, you can click the follow button, turn on notifications, and receive a message as soon as that player puts together a package!
StakeKings Tracking Players
StakeKings provides robust tools for investors to track their staked players' performance and winnings. Investors can easily access a dashboard that displays all staked players, their upcoming tournaments, and past results. This transparency allows investors to stay updated on their players' progress and success.
Detailed reports are available, showing tournament outcomes and the corresponding profits earned. Investors can also receive notifications for significant updates, ensuring they are always informed. Whether it's checking in on a player's recent victory or calculating overall profits, StakeKings offers a comprehensive tracking system to keep investors in the loop and engaged with their investments.
Markup on StakeKings
Markup in poker refers to the additional percentage a player charges on top of their tournament buy-in to account for their skill and potential profitability. This markup covers the player's perceived value and expertise. On StakeKings, players set their markups when posting their action for investors to buy.
A player's markup can vary based on their track record, skill level, and the specific tournament. Investors can assess markups to gauge a player's confidence in their performance. StakeKings provides transparency by displaying these markups, enabling investors to make informed decisions when choosing which players to back.
Players with a higher markup might be more likely to win a tournament or give you some return on your investment. Alternatively, lower-level or lesser-known players may have a much lower markup that reflects a smaller chance of winning a tournament. However, this lower markup might offer better value on the market.
How Does Staking Cash Games Work?
On StakeKings, they only allow players to sell action for live-streamed cash games. The reason for this is to provide total transparency for stakers and backers. StakeKings sellers are encouraged to sell the maximum amount of funds that they may use for the cash game. This includes multiple rebuys or bullets.
For example, if a player is selling a cash game package for $10k, they could have two separate $5k bullets. This is done to ensure that backers always have a piece of the action, even if the player they are backing loses their first buy-in in the game.
What does this mean for backers? Any funds that don't reach the table are refunded in FULL. This includes the premium fee paid for StakeKings premium cash packages.
Example:
If a player sells a cash game package for $10k and only buys in for $5k, backers will automatically receive a 50% refund on their stake, and a premium fee is applicable.
StakeKings Payment Options
StakeKings offers several secure payment experiences for depositing funds to stake players and withdrawing profits. Investors can choose from a variety of convenient payment methods, ensuring flexibility and ease of use. Deposits are processed swiftly, allowing investors to participate quickly in staking opportunities.
When it's time to cash out, StakeKings ensures a smooth withdrawal process, with funds typically returned to the investor's account promptly. The platform prioritizes security, providing peace of mind for financial transactions.
Here are some of the payment options available on StakeKings:
- Debit or Credit Card
- Zelle
- Skrill
- Bank Wire
- Prizeout
- Bitcoin
- USD Coin
- Paypal
- LuxonPay
How to Stake a Player on StakeKings in 5 Easy Steps’
As we've said, it's very simple to get started and stake a player on StakeKings. Here's the process outlined in five quick steps.
1. Browse Players: Start by exploring the list of available players on StakeKings. Filter by criteria like poker variant, buy-in, and player ratings to find your ideal pick.
2. Select Player: Click on the player you're interested in staking to view their profile. Here, you'll see details like upcoming tournaments and their markup percentage.
3. Choose Stake: Decide how much you want to invest in the player's tournament action. StakeKings allows you to buy stakes ranging from 1% to the full buy-in amount.
4. Confirm Purchase: Once you've selected your stake percentage, confirm your purchase. StakeKings will deduct the corresponding amount from your account balance.
5. Track Results: After staking, monitor the player's progress through your StakeKings dashboard. Track their results, see your potential winnings, and stay updated on the action.
How Do I sell action on StakeKings?
Currently StakeKings only allows approved players to sell in the marketplace at this time. If you are interested in selling action, you just need to fill in the application form through the StakeKings site. In a short time, if your application is accepted, you will receive an e-mail with your acceptance and details on how you can start putting your packages on the StakeKings site.
How to Sign Up to StakeKings
Signing up for StakeKings is easy and quick. Here's how:
- Visit StakeKings: Go to the StakeKings website here and click "Sign Up."
- Any players or backers who sign up on StakeKings.com OR apply to sell action with the referral code: “PokerNews” will be given additional PokerNews & StakeKings media coverage.
- Create Account: Enter your email, create a password, and fill in your personal details.
- Verify Email: Check your email for a verification link from StakeKings and click to confirm.
Can I Make Money on StakeKings?
Probably the most important question! Yes, investors can make money on StakeKings by staking successful poker players. When players win in either tournaments or live-streamed cash games, profits are distributed proportionally to investors based on their stake percentage.
Example: If you stake $100 on ApeStyles , and he wins the $1,000.00 tournament for $125,000, you would make around $12,000 dollars after markup and deduction of fees, etc.
We can say that theoretically, if you staked the right players enough, you could make a long-term profit, but remember that staking carries the same risks as gambling, and you can never guarantee a profit. We recommend staking through StakeKings because it’s fun and gives you a sweat rather than being about making a living.
You only need to check out the StakeKings Hall of Fame to see how potentially lucrative it is to buy pieces of players. Already in 2024 (by May 20), pros have returned over $640,000 to investors, with StakeKings customer "JetBroker" already receiving $189,948 from their investments!
You don't have to invest a lot to win big at StakeKings. In 2020, Scott Longnecker paid just $8.99 for a piece of Magnus Martin's $55 SCOOP Mini Sunday Million action. Martin went on to win a cool $71,656.66, and Longnecker received $11,712.61, representing a 130,285% Return On Investment ROI). The site is packed full of similar stories.
Final Verdict - Why StakeKings is the Best Poker Staking Site
In my view, StakeKings stands out as the premier poker staking site for several reasons. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for investors to navigate and select players. The platform's transparency with detailed player profiles and markup percentages inspires confidence in investment decisions.
Additionally, StakeKings offers a wide range of payment options, ensuring convenience and flexibility. The ability to track players' performance and potential winnings enhances the overall staking experience. Combined with its reputation for safety and legitimacy, StakeKings emerges as the best choice for those looking to invest in the thrilling world of poker.
One of the best things about StakeKings is the ability to stake players in both tournaments or cash games. Other sites do not offer this capability, and cash game streams can be just as exciting to watch these days as someone making a deep run in a tournament. StakeKings, in my personal opinion, is the best place to start your life as either someone wanting to sell action or backing your favorite players.
StakeKings FAQs
How much does StakeKings charge?
StakeKings charges a fee known as "the juice" on top of a player's markup. This fee typically ranges from 1% to 10% of the buy-in amount. The exact percentage varies depending on the player and the specific tournament.
Who is the founder of StakeKings?
The founder of StakeKings is Tyler Hancock . He established the platform to provide a trusted marketplace for poker staking, connecting investors with professional players seeking financial support for their tournament entries.
How do you get staked in poker on StakeKings?
To get staked on StakeKings, players create a profile and post their upcoming tournament actions. They set a markup percentage to cover their perceived value and skill. Investors then browse available players, choose stakes to purchase, and complete the transaction.
How does staking work for cash games on StakeKings?
Staking for cash games on StakeKings follows a similar process to tournaments. Players post their cash game sessions for investors to purchase stakes. Investors can select the percentage they want to buy, and profits or losses are distributed accordingly after the session.
When will I receive my winnings from a tournament on StakeKings?
After a tournament, StakeKings typically distributes winnings within 24 to 72 hours. The exact timing may vary based on the tournament's conclusion, results verification, and other factors. Investors can track their winnings and transactions through their StakeKings account.
What happens if my player rebuys a tournament on StakeKings?
If a player rebuys in a tournament, investors are responsible for their proportional share of the rebuy amount based on their stake percentage. This ensures that investors maintain their stake in the player's action throughout the tournament, including rebuys and subsequent play.
What Regions is StakeKings Available in?
StakeKings is available worldwide (including most of the USA) to anyone over the age of 18. StakeKings is a marketplace, not a gambling platform. Please visit StakeKings.com and contact their live support if you have further questions.
Is StakeKings Available in the US?
StakeKings is indeed available in the United States, offering its poker staking platform to both investors and players across the country.
Is Poker Staking Legal in the US?
Poker staking is generally legal in the United States, with some states imposing specific regulations. It's essential to check local laws and regulations before participating in poker staking activities.
Is StakeKings Available in the UK?
Yes, StakeKings is available in the United Kingdom, allowing both investors and players in the UK to participate in its poker staking platform.
Is StakeKings Available in the Rest of the World?
StakeKings is available in various regions worldwide, providing its poker staking platform to investors and players outside the US and UK, offering a global reach for participation.
Is StakeKings Legit?
Yes, StakeKings is a legitimate and reputable platform for poker staking. With a solid track record in the industry, StakeKings ensures transparency, security, and fair play for both investors and players. Many professional poker players and investors actively use and endorse StakeKings, adding to its credibility as a trusted platform in the staking community.
Is StakeKings Safe?
StakeKings prioritizes safety and security, implementing measures to protect user information and funds. Their platform uses encryption and secure payment methods, ensuring a safe staking experience.