Almost 20 Years with PokerStars... Gone After One Bad Decision

Omar.Imrane · May 27, 2026

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a personal situation that has honestly been frustrating me for a long time, and maybe someone here has gone through something similar.

Around a year ago, during a very bad period at the tables and after a lot of frustration and bad luck, I made an emotional decision and requested the permanent closure of my PokerStars account myself.

At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do, but not long after, I deeply regretted it.

Since then, I’ve contacted PokerStars support many times, politely explaining the situation and asking if there is any possible way to reopen the account. Unfortunately, they always refuse — respectfully and professionally — because their policy is very strict regarding permanent self-closure requests.

I completely understand that rules are rules, but honestly, it has been very hard accepting that one emotional decision might permanently end years of history on a platform I truly loved.

Also, PokerStars was the very first poker platform I ever installed on my computer nearly 20 years ago, so for me it was never just a game or another poker site — it carries years of memories and emotions.

So I wanted to ask:

Has anyone here experienced something similar with PokerStars or another major poker site?
Were you ever able to recover your account after a permanent closure request?
Is there any advice, contact method, or approach that might help?

I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Thanks everyone.

Omar.Imrane · May 27, 2026

I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Sunz of Beaches · May 27, 2026

From what i have read over the years on different forums there is no real chance.

Are u aware of the saying "play stupid games, win stupid prizes"? Time to move on.

CDNMAN 42 · May 27, 2026

Omar.Imrane said:
I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Pretty simple, create a new email address and open a new account

Andyreas · May 27, 2026

CDNMAN 42 said:
Pretty simple, create a new email address and open a new account

You believe they'll not realise during the KYC process? 🤨

Poison91 · May 27, 2026

Omar.Imrane said:
Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a personal situation that has honestly been frustrating me for a long time, and maybe someone here has gone through something similar.

Around a year ago, during a very bad period at the tables and after a lot of frustration and bad luck, I made an emotional decision and requested the permanent closure of my PokerStars account myself.

At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do, but not long after, I deeply regretted it.

Since then, I’ve contacted PokerStars support many times, politely explaining the situation and asking if there is any possible way to reopen the account. Unfortunately, they always refuse — respectfully and professionally — because their policy is very strict regarding permanent self-closure requests.

I completely understand that rules are rules, but honestly, it has been very hard accepting that one emotional decision might permanently end years of history on a platform I truly loved.

Also, PokerStars was the very first poker platform I ever installed on my computer nearly 20 years ago, so for me it was never just a game or another poker site — it carries years of memories and emotions.

So I wanted to ask:

Has anyone here experienced something similar with PokerStars or another major poker site?
Were you ever able to recover your account after a permanent closure request?
Is there any advice, contact method, or approach that might help?

I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Thanks everyone.

If you closed it because of gambling addiction, they probably won't let you reopen it. Besides, you could have done it without telling them. I started winning again the week after a four-month losing streak, but I masked all that frustration by playing sports and listening to music. I see poker as a hobby, and I love poker, but I always value the everyday things in life more: sports, sharing mate with friends, time with family—those are the things that truly matter.

Sunz of Beaches · May 27, 2026

Andyreas said:
You believe they'll not realise during the KYC process? 🤨

They obv will. Not that im suprised really but extremely bad advice which could lead to further problems for OP.

There are multiple other threads about this kind of issue already. Its always the same, also with the answers of certain membes who think they need to give advice despite being completely ignorant of the TOS of a site.

eberetta1 · May 27, 2026

i miss Pokerroom. It was the first poker site I ever played at. Again, a lot of memories. It went out of business. So just put in your mind that Pokerstars went out of business, because as far as you are concerned, it is.

It amazes me how quickly you forget how much pain was caused between you and Pokerstars. Fortunately, they cannot be the cause of your pain in the future because Pokerstars has moved on. You should do the same.

Luvepoker · May 27, 2026

This is one of there protections for problem gamblers. You asked them to close it and there it is. Sorry you wont be able to return.

Station_Master · May 27, 2026

Try a different poker site. Chance of getting back on PS is very very low

MK_ · May 27, 2026

Well sure here's my honest advice...

don't listen to someone who should know better telling you to create a multi account,

accept the consequences of your actions and move on to a better site👍

burba · May 27, 2026

If you just like the Poker Stars client then open a new account and play for play money.

KrazyKoo · May 27, 2026

Lot of people here have these problems, seems common with PokerStars for some reason

Based on previous discussions and some advanced knowledge I have on this subject matter there doesn't seem to be any legal and legitimate options outside of two extreme measures:

1. Data request via email and then asking them to delete your account & personal data as you are no longer customer
Most countries in the world require companies to delete all non-customer data after 6 months / 1 year / 2 years after stopping being customer
2. Name change in real world and then creating new account under your new legal name
Not sure if this is legal and/or even works. Might work better combined with 1.

Andyreas · May 28, 2026

KrazyKoo said:
2. Name change in real world and then creating new account under your new legal name
Not sure if this is legal and/or even works. Might work better combined with 1.

Best combined with
3. Move to a country where a sex change is rather simple and become a female, just to be sure.
🤪

fundiver199 · May 28, 2026

As many others have said, these kind of decisions tend to be irreversible, and actually this is for the protection of players. If you are so upset about "a period of bad luck", that you feel compelled to ask for a permanent closure of your account, then this is a strong indication of a gambling problem, and sites are obligated to not let you reverse such a decision.

PokerStars offer many other options ranging from just withdrawing your funds and not playing, over a time specific "cool down" period to an indefinite cool down period, where you can ask for your account to be reopened, when at least 12 month has passed. All of which can be done without contacting support.

So when someone write to them and say something like "I hate this site, please delete my account", this is really a strong move, and it should not be taken, unless you are 100% sure, you never want to play again. Now done is done, and as others have said, the best solution is to find another site to play on. Or perhaps not play poker, unless you are really sure, you are able to do this in a healthy way.

Uncloggie · May 28, 2026

Have the courage of your convictions.

Cooking · May 28, 2026

PokerStars was probably the worst poker room for this kind of situation. They probably will not let you play again. If it were another poker room, you might have had a better chance, like 888poker.

MishkaZL · May 28, 2026

Omar.Imrane said:
Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a personal situation that has honestly been frustrating me for a long time, and maybe someone here has gone through something similar.

Around a year ago, during a very bad period at the tables and after a lot of frustration and bad luck, I made an emotional decision and requested the permanent closure of my PokerStars account myself.

At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do, but not long after, I deeply regretted it.

Since then, I’ve contacted PokerStars support many times, politely explaining the situation and asking if there is any possible way to reopen the account. Unfortunately, they always refuse — respectfully and professionally — because their policy is very strict regarding permanent self-closure requests.

I completely understand that rules are rules, but honestly, it has been very hard accepting that one emotional decision might permanently end years of history on a platform I truly loved.

Also, PokerStars was the very first poker platform I ever installed on my computer nearly 20 years ago, so for me it was never just a game or another poker site — it carries years of memories and emotions.

So I wanted to ask:

Has anyone here experienced something similar with PokerStars or another major poker site?
Were you ever able to recover your account after a permanent closure request?
Is there any advice, contact method, or approach that might help?

I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Thanks everyone.

PokerStars is a bottom. You have absolutely nothing to regret. Forget about this bottom, push yourself away from it and turn your attention to promising projects like 888 or GG.

MAFNL16061986 · May 29, 2026

i used to play pokerstars and partypoker but it is not licened anymore in the netherlands sadly i switched over to ggpoker now

G0930 · May 29, 2026

Andyreas said:
Best combined with
3. Move to a country where a sex change is rather simple and become a female, just to be sure.
🤪

May I suggest Iran ? Lol
The late Ayatollah legalized sex change for the completely wrong reason 😆
He didn't want trans people running around, so change your gender and be done with it ^^
In the 1980s, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a religious decree legalizing gender transition surgery. As a result, Iran permits transition surgeries and provides official identification documents in the corrected gender following the procedure. While state-subsidized care makes the country a hub for gender-affirming procedures, it does not have broad anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender people

G0930 · May 29, 2026

Omar.Imrane said:
Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a personal situation that has honestly been frustrating me for a long time, and maybe someone here has gone through something similar.

Around a year ago, during a very bad period at the tables and after a lot of frustration and bad luck, I made an emotional decision and requested the permanent closure of my PokerStars account myself.

At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do, but not long after, I deeply regretted it.

Since then, I’ve contacted PokerStars support many times, politely explaining the situation and asking if there is any possible way to reopen the account. Unfortunately, they always refuse — respectfully and professionally — because their policy is very strict regarding permanent self-closure requests.

I completely understand that rules are rules, but honestly, it has been very hard accepting that one emotional decision might permanently end years of history on a platform I truly loved.

Also, PokerStars was the very first poker platform I ever installed on my computer nearly 20 years ago, so for me it was never just a game or another poker site — it carries years of memories and emotions.

So I wanted to ask:

Has anyone here experienced something similar with PokerStars or another major poker site?
Were you ever able to recover your account after a permanent closure request?
Is there any advice, contact method, or approach that might help?

I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Thanks everyone.

Almost Impossible to get a poker account re-activated which was closed by your own request.
Play somewhere else. That account is gone.
PS is a sinking ship anyways. No big loss

Poker Orifice · May 29, 2026

Omar.Imrane said:
I would truly appreciate any honest experiences or guidance.

Remind yourself how you felt on that day when you contacted Pokerstars and told them you didn't want to play there again. If you were able to play on there again, KNOW that this feeling would return for you again. Spare yourself the pain.

But on the other hand, GGPoker has surged far ahead of Pokerstars these days. Give it a go on GG, but remember if you think you don't want to play there 'ever again', just don't play there... but don't tell them about it.

hardongear · May 29, 2026

21+ year Pokerstars player myself and love it just as much as you do. Sadly once one self excludes there is no way back in my experience. Heard guys self excluding over the years none ever get back pretty much every site is the same in this regard. Which does suck but on the bright side as Poker Orifice says Pokerstars seems to be a sinking ship. Which I personally wish it wasn't cause quite honestly there is no where else currently where I desire to play so I guess my going down with the ship and I'll play more live poker here or I'll find a new side hustle to make extra money from once it's sunk.

Cheers!!!

Omar.Imrane · May 29, 2026

Poker Orifice said:
Remind yourself how you felt on that day when you contacted Pokerstars and told them you didn't want to play there again. If you were able to play on there again, KNOW that this feeling would return for you again. Spare yourself the pain.

But on the other hand, GGPoker has surged far ahead of Pokerstars these days. Give it a go on GG, but remember if you think you don't want to play there 'ever again', just don't play there... but don't tell them about it.

Unfortunately, GGPoker is not available in my region. Sometimes, luck itself seems to stand against you because of where you live.

Omar.Imrane · May 29, 2026

G0930 said:
Almost Impossible to get a poker account re-activated which was closed by your own request.
Play somewhere else. That account is gone.
PS is a sinking ship anyways. No big loss

Honestly, it was the best poker platform I ever played on. I really wished I could stay there until the very end… even sink with the ship if needed.

Almost 20 Years with PokerStars... Gone After One Bad Decision

Omar.Imrane

Rock Star

Omar.Imrane

Rock Star

Sunz of Beaches

Sunz Tzu

CDNMAN 42

Legend

Andyreas

Moderator

Poison91

Visionary

Sunz of Beaches

Sunz Tzu

eberetta1

Legend

Luvepoker

Lost in the twilight zone

Station_Master

Legend

MK_

Legend

burba

Rock Star

KrazyKoo

Legend

Andyreas

Moderator

fundiver199

Legend

Uncloggie

Legend

Cooking

Legend

MishkaZL

Legend

MAFNL16061986

Rock Star

G0930

Captain Fathermucker, Satty Aficionado

G0930

Captain Fathermucker, Satty Aficionado

Poker Orifice

And Still...

hardongear

Legend

Omar.Imrane

Rock Star

Omar.Imrane

Rock Star

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