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Ignition Poker Review
“Ignition Poker has established a substantial presence in the online poker scene with their extensive cash games, tournaments and reliable payment options.”
Jennifer Newell
Overview
Ignition, the largest site in the US by traffic, offers a crypto-friendly platform with a fully equipped casino. Boasting a diverse selection of poker games and tournaments, it ensures prompt payment allowing withdrawals in under four hours. Despite lacking a dedicated app, Ignition stands out as one of the few US-facing online poker sites enabling mobile gameplay since its establishment in 2016, earning recognition among American online players.
Despite its established reputation and player base, Ignition continues to uphold its standards, as we discovered firsthand through personal account creation and gameplay testing. Evaluating various game types and essential features like welcome bonuses, tournament guarantees, and customer support, we conducted a thorough review to provide readers with a comprehensive Ignition Poker Review. If you’re considering playing poker online, delve into this detailed review for some insights.
Pros and Cons
Although Ignition boasts numerous benefits players love, it’s essential to acknowledge that no poker platform is flawless. For the sake of clarity, I’ve compiled a list of both the advantages and drawbacks I encountered during my time on Ignition.
Pros
- Large Player Base
- Soft Games
- Fast Payouts
- Anonymous Tables
Cons
- Limited Banking Options
- No Player Tracking Tools
- Fewer Features
Pros:
- Large Player Base: Ignition benefits from a sizable player base, as it shares its pool with Bovada, ensuring a lively atmosphere with numerous tables and tournaments available.
- Soft Games: Many participants acknowledge Ignition for hosting games with comparatively less skilled opponents, making it appealing for players seeking a more relaxed environment.
- Fast Payouts: Ignition stands out for its prompt processing of withdrawal requests, particularly with cryptocurrency transactions.
- Anonymous Tables: The option for anonymous tables caters to recreational players who prefer not to be monitored by seasoned competitors.
Cons:
- Limited Banking Options: Ignition provides fewer options for both deposits and withdrawals compared to its counterparts.
- No Player Tracking Tools: Due to the anonymity feature, players are unable to utilize software to monitor their opponents’ behaviors and patterns.
- Fewer Features: Ignition lacks certain functionalities available on other platforms, such as the “run it twice” feature, which can mitigate variance in specific scenarios.
Bonuses and Promotions
To entice players and retain them in the competitive online poker scene, poker sites often leverage enticing welcome offers and promotions. These incentives play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining a loyal customer base, thereby influencing the success or failure of the platform. Ignition, like its counterparts, recognizes the significance of such incentives and is committed to offering an array of bonuses and promotions to captivate new players. Now, let’s delve into the diverse range of bonuses and promotions Ignition extends to its newcomers.
Welcome Bonus
Ignition Poker currently offers two different Welcome Bonuses depending on the deposit method you choose to use. They are offering a 100% matched deposit bonus up to the value of $1500 if you deposit using cryptocurrency, and they offer the same bonus but only up to the value of $1000 if you deposit using a credit/debit card. I couldn’t wait to claim this deposit bonus when I signed up, as it offers fantastic value for money.
You need to deposit a minimum of $20 to qualify for the welcome bonus, and the rate at which you receive your bonus will depend on the number of reward points you earn within the first 30 days.
Royal Flush Bonus
Achieving a Royal Flush is a rare feat for most, yet at Ignition’s cash game tables, it can yield a bonus worth 50 times the big blind’s value, capped at $200. To qualify for this reward, both hole cards are required, and winners must reach out to support to claim their cash prize.
Bad Beat Bonus
Experiencing a bad beat at the poker table is never pleasant, but Ignition softens the blow by offering a bad beat jackpot exclusively for its cash game participants. Should you suffer defeat with a hand as strong as aces full of kings or better, you stand a chance to win a jackpot worth 100 times the big blind’s value, capped at $1000. Like the Royal Flush bonus, this reward isn’t automatically credited to your account; instead, you need to reach out to customer support to claim it if you meet the qualifying criteria.
Refer-A-Friend
Why not seize an opportunity for extra rewards by utilizing Ignition’s Refer-A-Friend program if you have acquaintances interested in beginning online poker? With this promotion, you can receive a bonus equivalent to 200% of your friend’s initial deposit, capped at $100, along with an additional $25 bonus if they deposit using cryptocurrency. The promotion allows you to sign up multiple players without any restrictions, so start expanding your network and reap the benefits!
Weekly Poker Freerolls
If you’re a fan of complimentary perks, why not explore Ignition’s weekly $2500 guaranteed freeroll? For the unbeatable price of $0, you can participate in this tournament every Thursday, offering you the opportunity to pocket some cash without spending a dime. Simply acquire your tournament ticket via the Rewards dashboard to seize your shot at winning – but act swiftly, as each tournament has a maximum capacity of 7000 players.
Ignition Poker Game Selection
One of the best features of Ignition is undoubtedly its game selection. Thanks to its significant traffic, you are able to find:
Zone Poker
In line with staying ahead of contemporary poker trends, Ignition offers its iteration of fast-fold poker dubbed “Zone.” In this format, players entering a Zone poker table are pooled with others seeking the same game. Subsequently, a random selection of players forms six-handed tables to commence gameplay.
Upon folding a hand or the conclusion of a hand, you’re swiftly transitioned to another table in Zone Poker, ensuring continuous gameplay without downtime. This approach optimizes the number of hands played per hour, eliminating idle time after each hand. Zone Poker facilitates playing three times more hands per hour compared to regular tables, attracting ample participation across micro to mid-stakes player pools.
All the Zone Poker games are No Limit Hold’em, so Omaha fans will have to stick to conventional cash games. However, Zone Poker provides games for players of all bankroll levels, with stakes as low as 2NL ($0.01/$0.02 blinds) up to 1000NL ($5/$10 blinds). I found that most of the traffic in Zone Poker focuses on the lower stakes games, with games above $1/$2 receiving very little action.
Cash Games
Ignition presents a variety of game variants with diverse betting limits tailored for cash games. These encompass two Hold’em options – No Limit and Limit, along with two versions of Omaha Hi-Lo – Pot Limit and Limit, alongside Pot Limit Omaha. Catering to players with varying bankrolls, stakes commence from as minimal as $0.02/$0.05, extending up to $10/$20 for prominent big-bet games such as No Limit Hold’em and PLO. Particularly for Limit games, the range expands further, starting from $0.02/$0.05 and reaching heights of $40/$80.
If your preference leans towards shorthanded play, Ignition provides ample 6max tables for cash games in addition to 9-handed and heads-up options. I found that the majority of the action took place at the 6max tables, but when I tested the heads-up and 9-handed games it didn’t take long to start playing.
To prevent “bum hunting,” Ignition implemented a “quick seat” feature for its cash games. Instead of manually browsing through a lobby to select a table, users can input their desired game parameters, such as stake level, buy-in, and table size. Ignition then swiftly directs them to a matching table, saving the hassle of competing with others to join a preferred table in the poker lobby.
Sit n Gos
Turbo, 6-man, 18-man, Heads Up, Double Up, and Triple Up formats. Players with varying bankrolls can find suitable options, with stakes starting from $1 and reaching up to $200 for high rollers. While both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha variants are available, the majority of games are focused on No Limit Hold’em.
Innovatively, Ignition introduces Jackpot Sit-and-Go tournaments, where three players trigger the game’s start, and the prize pool is randomly determined before the match commences. This unique feature incorporates a prize multiplier reminiscent of a slot machine, ranging from 2x to an astonishing 1200x your initial buy-in. Currently, these tournaments offer buy-ins at four levels: $2, $7, $20, and $60.
The multiplier for these games ranges from as low as 2x your money all the way up to 1200x! There are currently four levels of buy-ins for these sit & gos, $2, $7, $20, and $60. These games add an additional level of excitment to the SNG experience and were easily my favorite sit & go option on the site.
Ignition Poker Tournaments
Ignition hosts several tournaments throughout the week, with games scheduled during both the day (games start around 2pm) and night (games start around 8pm). Daily buy-ins are as little as $11, and prize pools range between $3,000 and $12,000. Nightly buy-ins are as little as $55, and prize pools range between $5,000 and $30,000.
You have the opportunity to play single-table, multi-table, and sit-and-go tournaments for a variety of poker games. Whether you like playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or 7 Card Stud, you have a ton of opportunities to get involved and put your skills to the test. Some of the more popular tournament offerings include:
- Hyper Turbo
- Omaha Turbo
- Guarantee Tournaments
- Double Up
- Triple Up
- Jackpot Sit and Go
Rebuys
When it comes to rebuys, Ignition strays on the side of being conservative. They don’t offer a rebuy option for most of their events, creating a much more competitive poker environment. When players have an unlimited opportunity to buy back into a tournament, it drastically changes the flow of the earlier rounds which can be frustrating for players with smaller bankrolls.
Breaking Down the Ignition Poker Software
The best way to describe the poker software used by Ignition would be solid and functional. The site utilizes a simple, yet effective black and red design that looks great with the site’s efficient layout. I loved the layout of the site, as it kept a careful balance of looking good while still being usable for the average person.
You’ll find straightforward navigation with the four main game types at the top of the screen (Cash Games, Zone Poker, Tournaments, and Sit N Goes). Once you select one, a line of boxes with different buy-in options and game types appear. By default, all the options are ticked; you can choose to untick the options you do not need, which then narrows the choice of tables or tournaments to suit your needs better.
The tables are divided into segments with lines – you’ll see a spotlight on each player as it is their turn to act. There are no screen names at the tables, just seat numbers (or player numbers for tournaments).
You can download the poker client onto Windows or Mac computers.
Mobile Options for Ignition Poker
A mobile poker app is enabled via a responsive in-browser version of the client. The app works on both phones and tablets (including Apple devices). Unfortunately, at the time of writing, only Zone Poker and cash games are available for mobiles, and you can only play one table at a time.
Website Features
Ignition offers a number of features that help to create a positive online poker experience for both recreational players and seasoned grinders. These features allow all types of players to enjoy their favorite games, balancing the needs of poker grinders with the wants of the recreational players. Below are just some of the features implemented by Ignition that help create a healthy ecosystem.
Rabbit Hunting
One of the features of Ignition that is geared towards creating a fun environment for recreational players is the rabbit hunting feature. This feature allows players to see what future cards would have been if the hand continued, just like you can when you’re playing with friends.
For example, a player is on the flop with a flush draw, but their opponent shoves all in for 3x the pot. The player folds but is curious as to whether or not they would have made their flush by the river. Thanks to Ignition Poker’s rabbit hunt feature, they can now see whether or not they would have made their hand.
As an eternally curious person, I loved using this feature to see what hands I would have made, even if I wasn’t in the pot!
Another feature that I loved at Ignition was its online web client. You don’t need to download the Ignition client if you want to enjoy their range of online poker games, you can play directly from your web browser. I found this feature incredibly useful when I wanted to play a quick game without having to download the software on a new device.
All you have to do is browse the Ignition Poker site from your PC or mobile device and log in with your account credentials. Once you log in, you’ll get access to the full range of Ignition games, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games quickly, without the lengthy downloading and installing process.
Simplistic Site Design
One thing that I love about Ignition is its simplistic design. Too many poker rooms think that you need to go all out with fancy graphics and animations to grab my attention, whereas all you need is a simple, easy-to-use design that gets me in the game as soon as possible.
You receive that from Ignition; the site lays things out very clearly, enabling me to locate my games as swiftly as I can, and the red and black theme presents a fantastic appearance. You can even customize the appearance of the tables, changing the color, the shape, and even the design of the felt to suit your needs.
Anonymity at Ignition Poker
A major selling point of Ignition over its competitors is its anonymous games. Instead of displaying a dedicated screen name at the table, each player is distinguished solely by their seat number. This means that if a player leaves and rejoins in the same seat, you’ll have no idea whether or not it’s the same player you were just playing against.
The anonymity is a deliberate feature to encourage recreational players to play at the site. If you’re a serious poker, you’ll know pretty quickly who the fish are at your tables, and if you’re trying to maximize your earnings, you’ll try to target these players wherever possible. If you see them at a table, you’ll be more likely to join, and you’ll play more hands against them in an effort to try and exploit their weaknesses.
Obviously, this creates a hostile environment for these recreational players, so as a way to combat that, Ignition made all poker tables anonymous. This means that any notes you make on a player will only be available for that session. Once a player departs, your knowledge about them resets, and you won’t be aware of when you’ll play against them again.
While it took a bit of getting used to, I enjoyed the anonymity that comes with playing in these games. It allowed me to play more exploitative poker without having to worry about what other players thought of me and how it would impact my other sessions.
How Tough is the Competition at Ignition Poker?
In my review of Ignition I’ve determined that the policies they implemented to deter pro or semi-pro grinders from overwhelming their poker games has played a substantial role in the site’s success. The company has named the new policies put in place as the ‘recreational player model,’ which consists of three parts.
- No screen names exist; you play as a seat number. The seat numbers stop 3rd party tracking services from highlighting the weaker / losing players.
- They do not allow 3rd Party tools like ‘heads-up-displays’ and advice engines. While some players still use them, the anonymous play severely limits their usefulness.
- Restricting multi-tabling; you can only play four cash games or SNGs simultaneously (though you can play more tournaments). This rule means that good/winning players are not at 12 tables each, making them over-represented compared to 1 or 2 tabling amateurs.
These rules go a long way to keeping the games soft – though the size of the site and the number of new and inexperienced players attract some excellent players. There are plenty of accessible games, so if you feel a table is full of ‘grinders,’ simply load up another game and start playing. Compared to cash games, tournaments offer a much softer environment, making them an excellent starting point for newcomers to US online poker real money.
Ignition Poker Traffic & Network
One of the most important aspects of a poker site is its traffic. If no one else is playing there, how can you expect to play? After all, you can’t start a game by yourself! During my time at Ignition, I was impressed at the sheer number of poker players online at all times of the day. No matter when I started playing, whether it was early in the morning or late at night, I was always able to find a game to play.
As part of the Pai Wang Luo network, Ignition is one of the largest sites in the US in terms of poker traffic, with an average of 2350 players on the network at any one time. Ignition Poker shares its player pool with Bovada and Bodog, two of the biggest names in the US poker landscape.
This means that there will always be plenty of games to play, no matter what type of game you enjoy. A significant number of players frequently participate in the tournaments at Ignition, and this is reflected in the guarantees. Unless you’re playing at the worst possible times, you’ll often see big prize pools available for all levels of buy-in. Similarly, there are plenty of cash games running at almost every stake level, so don’t worry about having to log on at a certain time each day.
When Are the Peak Traffic Times on Ignition?
Being a primarily US-facing site, I found that Ignition Poker sees the majority of its traffic between 17:00EST and 03:00EST on weekdays and 14:00-01:00 EST on the weekends as players from all over the country connect to the site when they make it home from work. When it comes to the best day of the week to play at Ignition, like most other poker sites, that day is Sunday. This day is when most people have the time to play poker, and they run most of the big guarantee tournaments.
Deposits and Cashouts at Ignition Casino
Ignition stands among numerous online poker platforms revolutionizing financial transactions with its diverse array of cryptocurrency choices for players. Currently, players can select from five distinct cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Bitcoin SV, with the possibility of additional options in the future. I loved having these options readily available as it gave me so much flexibility when managing my bankroll.
Individuals who adhere to traditional payment methods and have reservations about cryptocurrencies can opt for conventional options such as bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and MatchPay for transactions on Ignition.
Upon depositing funds into Ignition, they become promptly accessible, ensuring minimal delay before engaging in gameplay. However, the process differs significantly during withdrawals, where the duration varies based on the chosen method. Withdrawal times range from a few hours to potentially exceeding two weeks. Detailed below are the minimum and maximum deposit amounts for each available method:
Deposits
| Deposit Method | Min Deposit | Max Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard | $20 | $1500 |
| BTC, BCH, BSV, LTC | $10 | $5000 |
| ETH | $50 | $5000 |
| Player Transfer | $10 | $15,000 |
| Direct Bank Transfer | $50 | $450 |
| MatchPay | $20 | $1000 |
How to deposit on Ignition Poker with Bitcoin
Ignition Poker is one of the best Bitcoin gambling sites out there. Players simply need to set up a digital wallet with the site, and they’re good to go. Its site even offers a quick, comprehensive guide on how to deposit with Bitcoin.
On top of that, cryptocurrency transactions on Ignition Poker are almost instantaneous. As soon as you hit deposit, it’ll be just minutes before you’re up and playing on the site. Bitcoin is also the most efficient way to withdraw at Ignition.
Before making a deposit, it’s essential to verify whether any charges will be incurred, ensuring you select the most economical option for your transaction. Ignition Poker does not apply any fees to its cryptocurrency transactions (see our comprehensive guide on how to deposit with Bitcoin for more information). However, credit card deposits do not reflect the same, as Ignition charges a fee of at least 15.9%, depending on the card provider.
Your bank may apply certain charges when depositing funds into Ignition, including International Service Fees and Currency Conversion Fees. Therefore, opting for cryptocurrency ensures a fee-free deposit method.
Withdrawals
| Method | Min Withdrawal | Max Withdrawal | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTC, BCH, LTC | $10 | No Limit* | 1 every 3 days | 1-24 hours |
| ETH | $50 | No Limit* | 1 every 3 days | 1-24 hours |
| Check | $100 | $3000 | 1 every 7 days | 10-15 days |
| Voucher | $10 | $3000 | No Limit | 24-48 hours |
| MatchPay | $20 | $1000 | Twice a day | 24-48 hours |
*Issued in increments of $9500 until you are fully paid out.
In addition to deposit charges, withdrawal fees may apply when withdrawing funds from Ignition Poker. Transactions involving cryptocurrency remain exempt from fees for both deposits and withdrawals, while voucher withdrawals are also fee-free. However, for other withdrawal methods, Ignition covers the initial withdrawal fee every 90 days, with subsequent withdrawals within that period incurring a $100 processing charge.
Other Products at Ignition Casino
There is much more to this site than just a poker room, with slots, table games, and entertaining specialty games. Here is what to expect:
- Slots: Ignition has a vast range of slots from ReelTime Gaming and Rival Gaming. As well as classic slots, you’ll find interactive video slots with bonus games and crazy features. Some games have massive jackpots too.
- Casino Table Games: The variations of Blackjack, Roulette, Casino Poker, and others will keep table game fans entertained.
- Other Games: Video Poker is a popular option, along with Keno, Bingo, and several of the instant win-type games.
What We Didn’t Love About Ignition Poker
While there are certainly plenty of good reasons to play at Ignition Poker, no poker site is without sin, and there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of before signing up. While we’ve not considered any of these issues dealbreakers, We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t report both the good and the bad aspects of Ignition Poker.
Slight Software Issues
In the past, I’ve found that Ignition isn’t exactly the most stable software on the market. A couple of crashes while trying to use the Quick Seat function have been annoying, but to Ignition’s credit, they have released a software upgrade that hopefully will resolve the issue.
Increased Rake
This is a big one for the die-hard poker nerds amongst you, but Ignition did increase their rake back in 2017. Rather than collecting $0.05 for every $1 in the pot, they now collect $0.01 for every $0.20 in the pot. While this may sound the same, this results in an increase in rake taken, as they can take more rake at smaller intervals. This may not be ideal for the hardcore grinders, but the games are soft enough that most players don’t consider it a major issue.
No VIP Program
Usually, if there’s a rake increase, you can console yourself with the fact that it means you’ll be receiving more rakeback. Unfortunately, that’s not the case at Ignition, as there is no VIP program – or at least not one worth talking about. Players can technically earn rakeback, but it works out to roughly 0.5% if you choose the tournament tickets, and that’s the best you’ll get without putting in significant volume.
Lack of HUD
While the absence of a complex poker HUD may be seen as a positive for recreational players, it can be tough for grinders who have gotten used to using it such as myself. There is a no HUD policy at Ignition, and due to the anonymous tables, they won’t work properly anyway! Playing on this site requires you to pay very close attention to each of your opponents to be able to maximally exploit them, so I’d recommend reducing the number of tables you play to compensate for this.
Customer Service
Being among the leading sites in the US market demands exemplary customer service, a trait upheld by Ignition Poker. Their support team consistently provides assistance promptly and effectively, addressing game and account inquiries with efficiency.
To reach support, users have two avenues: completing a form on their support website for email correspondence or engaging in 24/7 live chat with a representative. Although wait times for live chat are brief, for non-urgent matters, it’s advisable to opt for email communication with the support team. There is also an extensive FAQ section that should be able to answer the majority of your queries.
Email: Complete the online form found on Ignition Poker’s support page.
Utilize the Live Chat feature available 24/7 on Ignition’s support page to engage in real-time conversations with a customer service representative.
Ignition Poker Ownership and License Information
A company called Beaufort Media B.V. owns Ignition Poker, which is licensed by Curacao eGaming. IGaming Labs have independently verified the fairness of the deal at Ignition Casino. Ignition Poker is also part of the PaiWangLuo network, a Hong Kong company that’s been expanding all over the world.
Additional Things to Consider
- Legality: Online gambling laws vary by location. It’s important to check the laws in your area before you play on Ignition or any other online poker site.
- Responsible Gambling: It’s important to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Conclusion
Concluding my review of Ignition Poker, it’s evident that the platform offers a plethora of remarkable features, making it challenging to encompass everything in one evaluation. From its anonymous tables and quick seat functionality catering to casual players to its visually appealing software optimized for both mobile and desktop use, Ignition Poker maintains its popularity for numerous reasons.
Furthermore, the site hosts a diverse range of cash games and tournaments, complemented by convenient deposit and withdrawal methods, facilitating seamless transactions. With a constant stream of enticing bonuses for both new and existing players, coupled with reliable customer support, Ignition Poker ensures a satisfying experience for its users. With all of that combined, Ignition Poker definitely sits near the top of our list of recommendations.
