Ignition Poker Review

One of the newer kids on the block, Ignition Poker actually forms part of a wider online casino. And if the BetSoft and Rival Gaming slots don't appeal, a spread of interesting tournaments and cash games will. Best of all, Ignition Poker is available to US real money players.

About Ignition Poker

Ignition Poker is one of the newest US-facing poker sites available online. It carries a Kahnawake license so it's not available in the newly-regulated markets of New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada, but it still manages to hold its own with some cracking software and tournaments.

While online poker is available from Ignition, it actually forms part of a bigger online casino. The casino acquired the poker base from another US biggier, Bovada, in 2016, giving Ignition the perfect 'start' possible.

Ignition Poker currently has no UK gambling licence. Although the site is available in English, it won't accept customers based in the British Isles.

There are dozens of BetSoft and Rival Gaming 3D slots and table games available to play for real money on the site, with the requisite juicy welcome bonus to fit.

Software

Ignition Poker has a dedicated download client available for PC users. However, you can also play games via the instant-play client.

The software is fairly basic, certainly not in the league of Ignition's larger rivals, but it is secure. Collusion is clamped down on hard, and the poker software uses some of the best RNGS and auditors around.

Mobile users can log in via their smartphones on the go. Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi-Lo are available on the mobile client.

Players

Because Ignition isn't permitted in Nevada, New Jersey or Delaware, it relies on customers based elsewhere in the US, but with Bovada's existing player base propping it up it certainly has a head start. It would be hard to see a US-facing site starting off from scratch in this environment.

Stakes & Cash Games

Considering the competition, Ignition doesn't do too badly in terms of player numbers. We found a 24-hour peak of just over 2,000 cash players hitting the site during the week. That was just below larger rivals like 888poker, and ahead of rivals like partypoker.

There are several interesting features with the software: anonymous tables let you play against opponents without them taking notes on you (also available at some of the market leaders) while 'Zone Poker' is Ignition's take on fast-fold poker. Fold a hand and get moved tables to play another one.

Tournaments

Ignition runs several big daily, weekly and monthly tourneys for its predominantly US base. Buy-ins vary from $3 to around $125, but there are millions in guaranteed prizepools offered every month.

Big events like the Wild Wednesday were held in late 2016 and spread 13 events across the festival. The highlight was a $270-buyin main event with a $100,000 guarantee. This 100k big one now runs every week but smaller wallets can enjoy the Mad Monday $8000-GTD with a $22 buy-in, and two 20k-GTD tourneys also taking place at the start of the week.

Poker Bonuses & VIP

Ignition Poker is big on its player bonuses. 'Poker Points' are earned for paying rake (1 point for every $1-$3 of rake). These can then be converted into tickets into tournaments or 'PTS' freerolls.

There are eight levels on the Ignition Rewards program, ranging from Steel (monthly bonuses and promos) to Chrome (added bonuses for Bitcoin depositors) and up to Diamond (personal VIP host, bigger withdrawal limits, cash-back bonuses).

In most cases, rewards are geared towards the casino games players. However, poker players can get access to some great monthly freerolls (password-protected), a Bad Beat bonus, and a Royal Flush bonus up to $200.

Customer Support & Banking

Customer service at Ignition is available via phone (1-855 number), on-site contact form, or direct email ([email protected]).

Deposits can be made via the usual credit/debit card methods or by e-Wallet, while Bitcoin is also available. Cash-out times can be slow compared to other fast paying casinos, however, with most payouts taking 5-10 working days. Bitcoin cash-outs take a little less time, around three days.

Summary

If you were used to Bovada's great poker offering, you'll be pleasantly surprised by what Ignition have taken on. The site enjoys the same top security and encryption as the old Bovada website, and with Kahnawake licensing in place you know it's going to be a safe place to play.

While numbers won't be troubling bigger rivals at the moment, the fact that Ignition manages to hold its own with a predominantly US player base is pretty impressive. The graphics and interface are solid, and the anonymous tables make the site perfect for casual grinders keen to avoid the data miners.

Sign up now and give online poker's newest site a try. And if you can avoid the temptations of Rival Gaming's slots, all the more better.