Ignition Poker Network

Ignition isn’t your traditional network. They’re not like the Merge Gaming Network, for example, that provide the software and skins for multiple gaming websites. Instead, the Ignition “network” consists of one site that offers poker, sportsbetting and casino games to American players. They’re the US extension of Bodog, the parent company and brand.

Today they’re one of the top sites for American players. They’re licensed (Kahnawake Gaming Commission), are known for their quick processing times, and because of their anonymous software, are known more for their recreational play than for pros and high stakes action.

Because they’re one of the top networks for US players, we thought it’d be a good idea to provide you with an overview of their company, including their background, software and the traits that help them stand out against their competition.

Please note - The Ignition Network is not open if you play poker in New York, Maryland, Washington or Utah.

Ignition’s Software

At first glance the Ignition Network’s software is no different than many other networks. Downloads are available for PCs and Macs, but not for mobile apps. And you can do things like filter out the games you want to play, chat with other players, resize tables and so on.

However, there are two things that make the Ignition Network’s poker software different.

The first is their anonymous tables. What this means is that when you sit down, no one will know who you are. Guy, girl, dog or monkey; all these people know is that you’re capable of clicking buttons. Players are instead labeled with numbers.

The advantage (or disadvantage, depending on who you are) should be obvious. If players don’t know who you are, they can’t get reads on you, at least for the long term. In fact, your notes are only good until that person leaves. If that person comes back, it will be as a different number. Your notes disappear, too.

For the recreational player this is great because no longer do they have to be worried about being preyed on every time they log into Ignition. They’ll have a fair shot at sitting down with a variety of players, and not just sharks.

The second thing about Ignition’s software is their Zone Poker game. This is similar to Rush (Full Tilt Poker) or Zoom Poker (PokerStars), where you’re not forced to wait for a new hand if you don’t like yours. If you don’t like the hand you’re dealt you can fold, and then be taken away instantly to a new table with new players and new hand. With this game you can get in 2-4x as many hands as your standard cash game table.

Clearly, both of these features better suit the recreational players than the grinders. When you factor in the anonymity and Zone Poker, there’s no room or need for tracking or odds software. This adds another level of difficulty to an already challenging scenario for multi-tabling pro players.

What Makes Ignition Unique

There are a number of features that help the Ignition Network stand out against other networks. These features include:

• No Data – Since each player is anonymous, extracting hand histories is a redundant task.
• Anonymous Tables – I can’t think of another poker site that doesn’t list screen names. There are some sites where you can change your name once per week, but none that eliminate it altogether.
• Attached Sportsbook and Casino – With a Ignition account you can bet on sports or play a variety of casino games like blackjack, slots, baccarat and video poker.
• Multi-Table < 4 Tables – Ignition is one of the few sites that limit you to 4 cash game tables simultaneously.
• No Reward Program – You won’t find an extensive VIP program here. At best you’ll be able to earn points and redeem them for cash.

As a profitable player these unique features aren’t necessarily better. In fact, they’d drive me away to another site that allows me to play more tables and keep track of my opponents. But that’s clearly Ignition’s angle here; they want recreational players to have a place to play without having to fear being taken advantage of. If that’s you, then I would suggest checking the Ignition Network out.

Ignition / Bodog Poker Network History

Bodog was founded by Calvin Ayre, a Canadian born entrepreneur. Ayre mentioned that he came up with the idea one day in 1992 while he was reading about how companies were offering betting services over the phone. He said that he experienced a "loud bang in my head and the whole universe came together." Shortly thereafter he was teaching himself how to code. Bodog went live in 2000. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Ayre’s approach to the business end of Bodog has been said to be modeled after Richard Branson and what he did with Virgin; it’s an umbrella company that houses many different ventures. In the case of Bodog those ventures including online gambling, coffee, a music label and TV shows. And in doing so, Calvin became a self-made billionaire.

In 2006, the same year the UIGEA passed, Calvin decided to (semi) retire and sell the gaming assets associated with Bodog. He sold them to the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group in Quebec. However, he still retained the ownership to the Bodog Brand.

Following the fall out of Black Friday in April 2011, Bodog made the decision to segregate their players base. On one site there would be American players, and on the other would be everyone else. The US facing brand was branded as Ignition, and it’s been that way since; offering safe and reliable gaming for poker players, punters and casino enthusiasts.