In the world of online poker, players are presented with many choices when it comes to selecting a site to choose from. In the case of comparing Ignition Poker vs PokerStars the choice is no easy matter.
Fortunately, for you guys I’ve managed to hone in on exactly what you should consider playing on either site. Be aware that each comes with its own Geo restrictions for where you are allowed to play for real money.
Ignition Background
Ignition Poker, launched in 2016, quickly gained attention as a part of the PaiWangLuo Network. It’s known for its focus on recreational players, it provides a user-friendly experience and anonymous tables with no screen names.
In the 7 or so years I’ve been playing here I’ve never dealt with any issues regarding payments and have also had my fair share of wins on the site. The players here are quite fishy and they allow real money play in most of the United States as well as Australia.
Games Available
One of the key aspects you should consider is the variety of games offered. Ignition Poker primarily focuses on formats like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo.
The Omaha games are where you will get the biggest edge in my opinion. Players are not as skilled at this format and often overplay weak to mid-range hands.
Site Traffic
The size and diversity of player traffic is very important. You don’t want to be playing on a site that doesn’t have a lot of players. Fortunately, both are solid.
Ignition Poker, with its recreational player focus, tends to have a softer competition level. This can be advantageous for players looking for a more relaxed environment. However, the traffic may be a little lower compared to Stars it makes up for it with lots of fishes.
Tournament Offerings
Tournaments add an extra layer of excitement to online poker. Ignition Poker hosts a variety of tournaments, including regular guaranteed prize pool events and special series.
Currently they have the monthly million dollar, 200k guaranteed, and 100k guaranteed as some of the bigger options. They do also have specialty tournaments that run throughout the year.
The buy ins for some of these larger tournaments can get costly, but they have other options to try as well. These include the 10k guaranteed, 8k guaranteed, and 5k guaranteed. Buy ins can be as low as $10 for these smaller options.
Software
The software and user interface will make or break your poker experience. Ignition Poker features a clean and straightforward interface, making it easy for players to navigate. The anonymous player feature adds an element of mystery, as opponents are identified by seat number rather than usernames.
What I personally enjoy about the anonymous format is that its tough to use a heads up display to get an edge. I am not a fan of using these types of online tools and the good news is tools won’t work well here. It all comes down to playing a sound poker game.
Bonuses & Rewards
Ignition currently boasts some great bonuses for first time players. They have a $3k casino option or a $500 poker bonus option.
Either one will do just fine but be aware there will be play through requirements. These requirements are not always easy to fill but they can be done if you’re a winning player on the site.
The loyalty program has greatly improved in Ignition as well. It is a tiered program meaning the more you play the more rewards they give you.
Mobile
Okay, no doubt mobile is becoming more popular these days. We all spend countless hours on our phones. Currently, Ignition has one of the best apps to use.
You can do things like change color of tables, card decks, chat, and play up to 4 tables at a time. Just make sure your phone is charged up to one hundred percent before you buy into a multi table tournament!
PokerStars, on the other hand, has a longer history, being established in 2001. It’s part of the Rational Group and has earned a reputation as the world’s largest online poker site, catering to both casual players and professionals.
The competition is definitely a bit stiffer on Stars but you can’t deny that they have some of the biggest tournaments to play online which means more money for you if you can run deep!
Games Available
PokerStars, being a giant in the industry, boasts an extensive selection of games. From traditional Texas Hold’em and Omaha to unique variations like Zoom Poker and Spin & Go, players can find a game that matches their tastes.
However, keep in mind that competition in a lot of these games will be tougher for the most part. It’s a good idea to try some different formats until you find a game you can possibly get an edge in.
Site Traffic
Right now, PokerStars hovers between being the number one and number two poker site worldwide. The amount of people playing here is quite insane.
However, it comes with a drawback. With so many people playing here and peak hours the tournaments are often filled with anywhere between 1500-3000 players which is quite normal. It can be hard to make a deep run-in tournament if that is your forte.
Tournament Offerings
PokerStars is renowned for its prestigious tournament series, such as the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) and Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP).
The site caters to players with different bankrolls, providing opportunities for both recreational and professional players to showcase their skills. But once again be aware the competition is fierce here so you will need to be always on your “A” game.
Software
PokerStars is a bit more sophisticated with its software. The site has advanced customization options, allowing players to personalize just about everything. The software also supports multi-tabling, a crucial feature for serious players.
There is almost no limit to how many tables you can play at a time. But be aware that playing too many at once is not the smartest approach. Players are a lot better these days, so it makes much more sense to focus on 1 or two tables at a time max.
Bonuses & Rewards
PokerStars, with its Stars Rewards program, offers players the chance to earn chests containing various rewards. The site also provides a welcome bonus and frequently runs promotions, catering to both new and existing players.
They also give away tournament entries to select players at random. This is a fun way to give back to their players to buy into a bigger entry for free in hopes of a big payout. The loyalty program on here is also tiered. So the more you play the more you can earn.
Mobile
PokerStars, being an industry leader, provides an amazing mobile app with a wide range of features. Players can switch between devices, giving a consistent and enjoyable experience whether playing on a desktop or a mobile device.
I would say that both apps are good so it’s hard to give an edge to either one of them. However, Stars Spin and Go’s are very fun to play on your phone.
Final Thoughts
The one thing I would like to end here is that I enjoy playing on both poker sites. However, Ignition does have some advantages over Stars that you simply cannot ignore. For one they allow players to participate in real money games throughout most of the United States as well as Australia.
They also have much software competition at mid to high stake games due to more recreational players being on the site. Ignition also makes it hard for players to use tracking tools and software by giving you anonymous tables.
Personally, I think it’s an edge because it just allows you to go into a poker session and play some straightforward sound poker.
On the flip side PokerStars is a powerhouse. But they have geo restrictions that don’t allow for real money play in most of the United States now. Obviously, this could change, and it might not be important to you if you live outside the USA.
The software for playing on Stars is impressive and could be slightly better than Ignition if I’m being honest. They allow you to multi table as many tables as you want if you’re a serious multi grinder on the virtual poker felt.
I will end things by saying this. Poker is entertainment but it’s also a game us players take very seriously. Finding a reputable site to play on is 90 percent of the battle. The good news is that both sites pay players instantly and have good reputations amongst the poker community.
Whichever option you choose to go with just remember to play within your means and responsibly. Poker is a tough game, and the unfortunate bad runs will come no matter how good you play. Good luck with your online poker journey. Hopefully you make a final table soon!
