Ignition Poker is a U.S. / Australia exclusive online poker site that acquired the database of Bovada Poker in the summer of 2016. Players at Ignition Poker are able to enjoy the same benefits as were available previously at Bovada Poker and play against opponents from the rest of the world via the Pai Wang Luo poker network.
Ignition Poker was launched in 2016 when Bovada Poker temporarily closed its poker platform. The site acquired the Bovada Poker database and continued operating pretty much as before, with the only discernable difference being a change of name. Bovada continued operating a sportsbook while the poker platform was down, and has since relaunched its poker product to accommodate sports bettors who do not want to use separate accounts to bet on sports and play poker.
Both Bovada and Ignition belong to the same poker network – the Pai Wang Luo poker network (formerly the Bodog Network). Consequently, the poker games on offer are identical – as are the casino games (you can read about the casino games available in our Ignition Casino review). The only real difference between the two sites is that Bovada Poker has a sportsbook, and Ignition Poker offers a better first deposit bonus for poker players.
Ignition Poker Bonus for New Players
At the time of writing this Ignition Poker review, the Ignition Poker bonus for new players is a 100% match on first deposits up to $1,000 (by comparison, the maximum bonus offered by Bovada Poker is $500). The Ignition Poker bonus is released by earning Ignition Miles for contributing to the rake deducted from cash game pots or for paying a fee to enter an online tournament or Sit & Go game.
Ignition Miles are awarded at the rate of 15 Miles per dollar when you pay a fee to enter a poker tournament or Sit & Go game (1.5 Miles for Jackpot games), or when you personally contribute to the rake deducted from cash game pots. The bonus is released in increments of $5 each time you have collected 150 Miles, and you have thirty days to clear as much of the bonus as you can.
There is no specific Ignition Poker bonus code to use in order to take advantage of the first deposit bonus. Simply follow our links to the Ignition website, where you will be invited to register an account and download the Ignition Poker software. The software is compatible with both Windows and Mac PCs, and Android and iOS mobile devices.
Games Available at Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker caters for the tastes of most poker players. The site has a good range on NL Hold´em and Omaha cash games, a fast-fold poker variant (Zone Poker), a selection of NL Hold´em Sit & Go games in various formats, and a comprehensive tournament schedule guaranteeing more than $2 million in prize money each week. There is also more than $2,500 up for grabs in regular freeroll tournaments.
One of the factors that makes Ignition Poker one of the most popular US-facing online poker sites is anonymous tables. This means that, when you sit at a table, you are identified by a number and nobody else knows who you are. Other players can take notes about how you play on a session-by-session basis, but when you sit at another table, your number changes, so the notes are worthless.
The Ignition Poker Miles Rewards Program
The Ignition Poker Miles rewards program consists of eight tiers, and the great thing about the program is that you can never go down a tier if you take a break from playing. This is because, as you earn Ignition Miles, you also earn Tier Miles which never expire. The higher tier you achieve, the better exchange rate you receive for Ignition Miles, plus you will also be entitled to a higher rate of cashback.
The cashback promotion is relatively new at Ignition Poker, and it consists of a percentage of your losses paid back into your account on a daily basis. You have to have an account balance lower than $10 to qualify for cashback; but, if you go on a long losing streak, the cashback of up to 15% may give you the impetus you need to recover some of your losses.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options at Ignition Poker
Typical of a US-facing poker site, there are limited deposit options at Ignition Poker. You can fund your account with credit card deposits, but these usually attract charges after your initial deposit. A far better option is Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash – which is not only free of charges when you deposit, but when you requests withdrawals as well.
Cashouts other than Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash withdrawals are processed by check or Rapid Transfer. Ignition Poker offers players one free withdrawal every four months, but other than the free withdrawal, you will have to pay charges to get your hands on your money and wait longer for a fiat currency withdrawal (typically 5-10 days) before your request is processed.
The Key Reason for Playing at Ignition Poker
Although the payment processing fees may not particularly inspire you to play at Ignition Poker, there is one very good reason why you should consider this site as an option. This is the anonymous tables that protect new and recreational players from more predatory players who use poker software to gain an advantage at the tables.
Because new and recreational players are better protected, there tends to be more of them at the tables than at other online poker sites and the general standard of play is softer. So, although there may be a lack of big money promotions and fees attached to cashing out (assuming you don´t use Bitcoin), your overall experience at Ignition Poker should be more profitable than at other poker sites.
Ignition Poker Review: Conclusion
Ignition Poker will suit all types of online poker player. New and recreational players will benefit from the anonymous table model. More experienced players can take advantage of Ignition Poker´s comprehensive satellite schedule to qualify for valuable tournaments, and players who enjoy “playing on the go” will find Ignition´s mobile platform one of the best in the industry.
The way in which the first deposit bonus is structured makes it very easy to earn small amounts quickly and, if you enjoy playing casino games, the exchange rate for free casino bonuses is very good indeed. Certainly, if you live in the US or Australia, you should give Ignition Poker a try. If you are not yet familiar with Bitcoin, there is a very helpful “how to” guide on the site; and, if you are not yet familiar with playing online poker for real money, there is no better place to learn.