Your Go-To Online Poker Checklist

Nowadays, you can build anything – as long as you’ve got the time, dedication, and drive. Oh, and the instructions, of course. Playing online poker is no different. To play well, you need to have the right tools. Of course, in this case, we’re not talking about a hammer or a screwdriver. We’re talking about some tech equipment, real cash, and the ever-elusive tools of wits and strategy. With those, you’ll secure more wins and more money – and who doesn’t want that?

To get you started, let’s take a look at our online poker checklist that’ll walk you through everything you need to play our best games at Ignition Casino. 

Desktop, Smartphone, or Tablet

Keen to play online poker for real cash? To do that, you have to be online, which means you’ll need an Internet-compatible device at the ready. Think your computer, smartphone, or tablet – any of these devices are perfect for playing online poker. Make sure your connection is reliable and download the new Ignition poker app (available for both Android and iOS). You can also log in directly here.

While that link is 100% viable, we recommend downloading our top-tier poker client, especially if you’re looking to go pro. No matter which format you choose, you’ll gain access to our extensive collection of kickass poker games. Be sure to visit our Help guide for more details on Mac and PC minimum requirements.

Meeting these requirements is the baseline for playing online poker with Ignition. But if we’re honest, the better your equipment, the better your experience. You’ll want to ensure that your device can handle fast Internet speeds. It’s also preferable for it to have a large screen to really enhance your gameplaying experience. Some serious players even go as far as investing in special computer mice, gaming chairs, or treadmill-adjoined desks. Does that improve their game? Maybe. Is all that flashy stuff 100% necessary? Definitely not.

Deposit Using Cryptocurrency

Once you’ve got your gear sorted, it’s time to move on to the next part of the checklist: opening your Ignition account. Fill out our form and, after you’ve gotten approved, you can visit our poker for free. We suggest trying out the Play Money tables first – this will give you the chance to get comfortable with our layout without spending any of your hard-earned cash. Once you’re feeling confident, you can move over to the Real Money games.

Of course, if you’re keen to play with real money, what do you need? Duh: real money! That means you’ve gotta make a deposit to your account. While you’ve got heaps of deposit options available, crypto is far and away your best option. Transactions? Quick and seamless. Processing times? Lightning-fast. Security levels? Through the roof. There’s a whole lot to love if you can’t tell already. At Ignition Casino, we proudly accept Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Bitcoin SV. 

To deposit using Bitcoin, you’ll need a couple of extra tools: an e-wallet as well as an account with a crypto exchange. Our recommendation – since we are the experts, after all – is to download your digital wallet to your smartphone so you can use the handy QR code scanner. We also suggest opening an account with a reputable exchange platform to give yourself all the functionality and security you need.

Last but certainly not least, make sure you secure some extra cash via our Welcome Bonus. We love our members so much that we’re always looking for fun ways to spoil them – this just so happens to be one of ‘em. Make your initial deposit with Bitcoin and the Welcome Bonus grows even larger. Head to the Promotions web page to learn more about those sweet bonuses you can rack up.

Choosing the Kind of Online Poker You Want to Play

So, you have your equipment, and you have some cold, hard cash in your account. Now comes the fun part: playing online poker! But that begs the toughest question of all: what type of online poker? With heaps on heaps of games to play, choosing the right one can be tricky. But it helps to know what’s on the menu ahead of time. So, here’s a rundown of our different online poker games here at Ignition:

The Game Variants: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo

Let’s start by talking about variants. Texas Hold’em is widely seen as the GOAT. In this iconic game, you receive two cards facing down. Next come the five community cards, which are dealt facing up in the centre of the table. Your mission? Make the strongest five-card hand or bluff well enough that you force everyone to fold. Do that and you’ll be sliding those chips into your stacks (well, virtually, of course).

Keen for a steeper challenge? We love to see it. A great way to push yourself is to try playing with four hole cards rather than two. Games like Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo follow this format, making them awesome choices. In both games, you have to use two of your hole cards and three community cards to make the best five-card hand possible. Omaha Hi/Lo adds a little extra excitement; this game splits the pot, giving half to the player with the best low hand and the other half to the player with the best high hand. 

No matter your level of experience or your ambitions, these games are mad fun and mad profitable. So, don’t be shy – give ‘em a go!

The Types of Betting Limits: Fixed-Limit, Pot-Limit, No-Limit

At Ignition Casino, you’ll also be spoiled for choice when it comes to your betting options. You’ve got three betting limits available: fixed-limit, pot-limit, and no-limit. 

Fixed-limit games feature specific bet sizes for every round of play (the flop, the turn, and the river). In pot-limit games, you can only bet or raise as much as the value of the pot. No-limit games are exactly what they sound like: no-holds-barred; you can bet as much as you want (even all in the chips in your stack). No-Limit Texas Hold’em remains one of the most famous and beloved games in the world. But if you’re a newbie, we suggest starting with Fixed-Limit Hold’em to gain some practice.

The Types of Stakes: Freeroll and Microstakes

Maybe you’re a big baller or a penny pincher. Listen, whatever your situation, we don’t judge. At Ignition, we welcome players of all budget sizes and offer games to match their needs. Depending on the type of game and betting limit you select, you could be playing for as little as a few bucks or thousands of dollars. Just remember that, as you increase in stake levels, you also increase the quality of your competition. Still finding your footing in the online poker world? No wukkas, mate. Start with lower stakes until you feel more confident.

The Type of Game: Cash Games, Tournaments, Sit-and-Gos

Finally, you’ve got one last choice to make: will you be playing in a cash game or a poker tournament? 

Cash games are the OG; they allow you to play for as many hands as you want, whenever you like. That kinda freedom and flexibility are what makes ‘em so popular. Tournaments are heaps more structured; they start at a scheduled time and you play until you run out of chips or until you win.

If we know you, we’d be willing to bet that you’re keen on trying both formats. And honestly, you totally should! Variety is the spice of life and we firmly believe that here at Ignition. When you’re first kicking off your online poker career, though, consider freerolls as your tournament of choice. With no buy-in and no entry fee, they cost you nothing but offer practice and profits.

You can also try Sit-and-Gos, which are smaller tourneys that kick off as soon as they hit the number of required players. Sit-and-Gos are perfect for players with busy schedules. Most of ‘em wrap up in under an hour, so it’s easy to fit them in. We even offer Jackpot Sit-and-Gos, which give you the chance to win a whopping $60,000 in just a few minutes! 

Managing Your Bankroll

Any seasoned online poker player will tell you that bankroll management is a key ingredient in your success. You need to think about the amount of cash you’ve got in your bankroll and how much you’re willing to spend. Sure, poker is a game skill, but it also takes a hell of a lot of luck. And sometimes, the cards just aren’t on your side. Lady Luck is a fickle mistress, in case you hadn’t noticed.

A good rule is to make sure you’ve got enough funds for the stakes you want to play. We recommend having at least 20 buy-ins for cash games and at least 100 buy-ins for tournaments.

Strategy

Your last tool of the day is easily one of the most important: strategy. Where can you learn killer online poker strategy? Right here at Ignition! Check out our treasure trove of articles and guides outlining the best strategies you simply can’t skip. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, there’s value there for everyone. With these tools, you can play smart, play hard, and have some epic fun.