Poker Writer
PokerStars has added a new range of reaction emojis to its desktop software, emulating a social feature that has been present on rival GGPoker for years. The new emojis are designed to enable players to express themselves more effectively. They appear on a hero player pod menu with 12 different options.
The new emojis are different than the traditional ones that PokerStars already had, as they appear directly over the player’s avatar for a few seconds. They are more visually noticeable than the smaller ones available in the chat window.
The 12 options include reactions such as laughing, anger, crying, shock, and more. There are also stock phrases, such as “good game” or “nice call.” Traditional chat does remain available.
PokerStars Following GGPoker’s Lead
The more visible and expressive emojis resemble the ones that GGPoker has had since its inception in 2014. Players have become used to GGPoker’s more stylish presentation. The big avatar-style emojis make GGPoker’s gameplay feel more interactive. The more modern style gives the platform a bit of a gamer-like feel and can appeal to players just looking for fun at the tables.
PokerStars is now following suit, emulating that style more closely and perhaps taking some lessons from GGPoker’s rapid growth. Creating more appealing visual gameplay appears to be one area of focus for PokerStars.
Just last week, GGPoker set the record for most concurrent players on an online poker site at one time, a record once held by PokerStars. Perhaps feeling the heat more than ever before with their rival continuing to set the bar, PokerStars is striving to close the gap.
PokerStars was the online poker market leader for throughout much of the 2000s and early 2010s. Rivals fell by the wayside one by one. PokerStars became such a dominating market force that some worried whether its status as unquestioned king was good for the ecosystem.
However, GGPoker then entered the market and quickly became a worthy rival. GGPoker signed away prominent pro and long-time PokerStars ambassador Daniel Negreanu to help establish its legitimacy. Negreanu’s influence has only continued to grow, now expanding to the world of predictions markets via Kalshi. GGPoker’s strength has also grown, as they notably acquired the WSOP in 2024.
Now, it’s PokerStars playing catch-up. If imitation is a sign of flattery, GGPoker brass will be feeling good about the change.
