Although still relatively undernourished compared to the behemoths of online gambling, Bitcoin poker sites are gaining in popularity.
Each one will have its advantages and disadvantages, ranging from the quality and quantity of the games plus the security of the site, which should remain a top priority for players.
There are numerous benefits to playing poker with Bitcoin, including the avoidance of FX fees, heightened anonymity and faster payouts.
Within Bitcoin poker sites there is a mixture of those that accept traditional fiat currencies along with Bitcoin and those that only accept Bitcoin itself.
Ignition Casino
Ignition Casino is an online gaming site licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission established in 2016. They offer deposits in both Visa and Mastercard as well as Bitcoin. They also provide a variety of games including poker, slots and table games.
One of the biggest positives for Ignition is that they accept American customers, however this is also a drawback as well. European citizens are likely to find themselves blocked from accessing the site.
Using Bitcoin as a deposit method allows for higher limits – $5,000 compared the the limit of $1,000 by credit card. Withdrawals are capped at $3,000 for both methods. They also offer typical welcome bonuses and refer-a-friend bonuses.
Being a regulated online gaming site provides some comfort knowing that your funds should be safe for both depositing and withdrawals, but the lack of access for those outside of the US means that this particular site is extremely limited.
Bet Online Casino
Bet Online, unlike Ignition is available to many more nations worldwide. They offer a variety of games, from your typical online casino games and poker to live sports betting as well.
Payment options are also extensive compared to Ignition. Not only do they provide e-wallet services but the cryptocurrency deposits extend further than just Bitcoin. Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin and Ethereum are also options available as deposits.
One issue highlighted by users though is that the website is plagued by a wide range of bots within their poker services. Bots have become a real problem within the online poker industry both for major poker sites and the smaller ones.
Bet Online allowing for more nations worldwide to use the site along with further cryptocurrency deposits gives them the slight edge over Ignition Casino.
Nitrogen Sports
Nitrogen Sports is an online gaming site that only offers deposits and withdrawals in Bitcoin. There are no credit cards to be found here. Licensed in Costa Rica, the site offers poker, sports betting and your classic card games such as blackjack.
Much like Bitcoin only gaming sites Nitrogen Sports prides itself on “provably fair” software for their casino games. While for your typical user depositing and withdrawing in Bitcoin might be a little confusing there is one key advantage – fast payouts. Instead of waiting 24 hours or longer in some cases, payouts from Nitrogen Sports can happen in a matter of hours.
The issue with using only Bitcoin as your deposit and withdrawal method though means that users then have to calculate consistently their betting value. Bets are still denominated in US dollars so some mental gymnastics are required.
For big fans of Bitcoin though, this site seems ideal.
Conclusion
These are but three of the best Bitcoin poker sites. There are many more and it would not be surprising that some of the major online gaming sites jump on the bandwagon sooner or later. Each gaming site – even the major ones – have their own nuances and issues. Playing across a few and finding which one suits you best is key for your own entertainment and enjoyment.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.