If you’re a New York resident who’s been missing quality online poker, there’s some good news for you: the most popular online cardroom in America – Bovada – is back for players in the Empire State. With the site recently developing a fully-fledged Bovada mobile app for its users (featuring cash-games, fast-fold tables, tournaments and sit & go’s), you can now hit the virtual felt from the convenience of your phone or tablet device.​

What’s the Deal?
For online poker lovers in New York, the ability to play on Bovada has been extremely limited over the last five years. With a few exceptions, accessibility has been denied for users largely since June 2014. However, in the final quarter of 2018, the site sent out an e-mail to NY players (November 22nd) with accounts on the site which confirmed, ‘We’ve re-opened our doors to all New York State customers, bringing back our feature-rich gaming service’. Any players that formerly experienced account disabling had them re-enabled, as signified by the notification on the web platform:

Why Bovada?
With this good news for New Yorkers, state residents now have a few choices to play poker online (including Americas Cardroom and BetOnline.ag). However, there’s arguably no better option to enjoy the game than on Bovada – whether you’re a new player or a serious grinder. Below are a few reasons why:

• The mobile app is extremely well-designed, offering all the same features that are available on the PC client.
• Traffic is busy on the site, since Bovada shares its player pool with Bodog (servicing Canada and Latin America) and Ignition Casino (Australia). You won’t have to wait for a game – regardless if you’re looking to buy-in for $1 or $1,000.
• There’s a huge variety of game types available, with some formats seemingly tailor-made for mobile players. This includes jackpot sit & go’s – a 3-max hyper-turbo format where players can compete for more than 1,000 times the initial buy-in.
• The level of competition on the site is very low, so if you’re a talented player, you’ll have a good opportunity to make a buck or two. And if you’re inexperienced and want to learn the game, you’ll get to do it in an environment where you won’t be getting eaten alive by the sharks!

The mobile app doesn’t require a download – it’s entirely browser-based – so simply visit Bovada and log into your account (or sign up for one) to get playing! Good luck at the tables!

To be fair to the US online poker giant, if they’ve rolled out this preliminary app as a means of testing the mobile and tablet landscape, this 3-max, hyper-turbo SNG format is the ideal one for it. Games are fast to find and quick to play, and the chance to win massive money in moments is no doubt appealing for iPhone users that want a quick gamble whilst on the move.

There’s also a number of promising features boasted by the browser-based app. It’s surprisingly fast for a client that runs via website – and refreshingly smooth. The developers have even added multi-table functionality at this early stage, which is something that the likes of Bovada, Ignition Casino and Bodog don’t provide for their iPhone users.
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While it must be conceded that the ACR app isn’t currently a legitimate contender for the best mobile offering for US players (Bovada arguably claims that title all things considered), the future is positive if its fundamental design is anything to go by. Americas Cardroom have stated their intention to provide a full poker app for iPhone users in the future. Given the many unique features that their PC client currently has (such as 6+ Hold’em games, active Stud tables and rakeback competitions like The Beast and Sit & Crush), ACR’s mobile poker app will be welcomed with open arms when it does make its full release.

One of the leading online poker sites in the United States – Bovada (along with shared Ignition and Bodog skins) – has launched a new update to its iPhone poker app which adds a variety of Multi-Table Tournaments and Sit & Go formats to the many games already on offer.  It should be remembered that Bovada poker is only open to United States citizens and those from a select number of Latin American countries.

What’s Been Added?
This change brings both conventional Sit & Go’s – as well as their 3-max ‘Jackpot’ version – to mobile and tablet players. Whether you enjoy heads-up play, 6-max games, full-ring tables or even multi-table SnGs, there’s a game type for everyone. And for those that like playing popular poker variants Omaha or Omaha Hi/Lo, you can even register for Sit & Go’s especially for the four-card game.  Multi-Table Tournaments are also now available in a variety of types, including Regular, $100,000 Guaranteed and Satellites.

Arguably the best addition to the iPhone app comes in the form of Jackpot Sit & Go’s. These 3-max, hyper-turbo tournaments (much the same as Spin & Go’s on PokerStars) give players the opportunity to win jackpot prizes which can total as large as 1000x the size of the buy-in. With the lowest buy-in starting at $2 – and the highest scaling up to $60 that boasts a $72,000 jackpot – both newcomers and veterans have the chance to turn a 1-figure buy-in into a 4-figure score. Because of their fast (hyper-turbo) structure, the games are well-suited to mobile players who can dive into quick game while on the move. Forget playing a multi-table tournament for 8 hours to catch a big score: Jackpot Sit & Go’s let you play for huge sums of money in 10-minute bursts.

What Other Games Can I Play?
With these Sit & Go’s added to the list, Bovada, Ignition and Bodog now offer the complete mobile poker experience to iPhone users. You can play regular cash-games, fast-fold tables with Zone as well as large-field tournaments with big prize pools. 

iPhone App Review
The app is well optimized for Apple users, with smooth graphics and customizable options much like the PC client. Even on smaller iPhone screens, buttons are well-sized and the lobby includes filters for quick navigation. One drawback for mobile players is that multi-tabling is not available – but with so many fast-paced games out there (such as Zone and 3-max hyper-turbos), getting volume in shouldn’t be an issue.

Get the App
American players can access the app directly via Safari by heading to the official site on their phone. New users can sign up for an account  - all that’s needed is a valid e-mail address, phone number and ZIP code. US and Australian players can also reach the tables via Ignition Casino Poker, while Canadians and a handful of South American countries (including Mexico, Brazil and Argentina) can play at Bodog.

Deposit Methods
Bovada and Ignition accept both conventional fiat deposit methods (via credit/debit card) as well as cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. The latter method is recommended if you’re looking for instant deposits and fast withdrawals.

There has been much speculation as to the reason for the sudden return of Bovada Poker. It's possible that Calvin Ayre, the founder of Bovada's parent company Bodog, may have decided to reopen Bovada Poker after felony charges against him for money laundering and operation of an illegal gambling service were dropped by the US Department of Justice. Or it may be because users of Bovada's sports betting and casino services have been vocal about the unavailability of poker on the website.
 
Whatever the reason, the return of Bovada Poker will inject a dose of much-needed competition into the US online poker market. Although Bovada Poker will share the same network and software as Ignition, it will operate independently from it. This will allow current Bovada users to play online poker without having to create an account elsewhere. It will also give poker players a chance to take advantage of the slew of promotions Bovada Poker is offering while still being able to play on the Pai Wang Luo Poker Network alongside Ignition and Bodog players.
 
If you havn't used Bovada Poker's (or Ignition’s) software before, it's arguably the best available to US players right now, both for desktop and mobile. It's the main reason why Bovada was able to rise to the top of the US online poker market following the departure of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker in 2011. The in-game interface is smooth and responsive with a clean, simple design, and the action is easy to follow. Likewise, the lobby is easy to navigate, so finding a game shouldn't take you long.
 
Action junkies will be pleased to hear Zone Poker is back. For those who don't know, Zone Poker is a fast-fold poker game in which players will be dealt a new hand as soon as they fold. Playing one table of Zone Poker is roughly equivalent to playing four regular tables, so you'll rarely have to wait long before getting dealt a hand.
 
Other welcome features include the Quick Seat function, which automatically finds you a game of your chosen type (particularly useful for mobile users) and the inclusion of anonymous tables which hide your identity from your opponents, eliminating any advantage they may gain from using tracking software.
 
With all this and more being offered, it will be interesting to see whether or not Bovada will be able to regain their place at the top of the US online poker market. No doubt it will be a challenge with Ignition offering essentially the same service. Brand loyalty, however, is a powerful thing, so we wouldn't be surprised to see former Bovada Poker users flock back to the site now it has reopened.

Making things even easier is the fact that Ignition Casino accepts bitcoin, which itself makes it easier for Australians to fund their accounts. Just like in the United States, players in Australia can no longer rely on Australian banking institutions for things like deposits and withdrawals. Bitcoin allows players to circumvent those institutions so that they can keep playing without any intervention.

Even more convenient is the fact that Ignition offers mobile poker via their mobile app, which allows them to play poker anywhere they please. After being told by the Australian government that they couldn't play poker at all, Ignition's ease of use and ability to play anywhere are surely a breath of fresh air.

Ignition Casino and Poker offers a wide array of bonuses, both for new players and existing players, including bonuses specifically for bitcoin users that are perfect in Australia. Ignition also offers tournaments with large guaranteed prize pools, freerolls to allow players to build a bankroll without risk, and even a bad beat bonus that rewards players for losing hands that they would win a large percentage of the time based on the cards they held.

While Australian poker players certainly would prefer to have all of the options that they had available to them before the poker ban of 2016, Ignition Casino's move into the market is such a good one that they may end up forgetting that there are any restrictions upon the game at all. Ignition Poker is well worth the time of any Australian looking for a new place to play poker.

These players will likely be unable to withdraw their funds until PKR’s administration applications have been heard by the Court of Administration Orders. Of concern to these customers will be recent instances of poker sites going into administration and not paying out players with positive balances.
 
Competition Takes its Toll
PKR Poker was one of the most innovative mobile betting apps in the online gambling market when it burst onto the scene 2006, drawing a network of players from around the world thanks to its innovative 3D interface. Yet, the app always faced stiff competition from more established – and renowned – products from the likes of partypoker and PokerStars, which promoted their service heavily through sponsored poker professionals.
 
More recently, the growing popularity of bitcoin poker rooms looks to have contributed to PKR’s downfall. Lower rake and banking fees are available for poker players gambling with the cryptocurrency, while easier accessibility is also a drawcard. Due to online gambling regulations, PKR was limited to operating in certain countries, leading to a largely European user base. Apple regulations played a role, restricting the app’s availability globally. Customers could avoid these hurdles at bitcoin poker apps such as BetOnline, where players are accepted from anywhere in the world, including the massive US market. The digital currency does not reveal the location of its users, increasing its appeal.
 
Cards Stacked Against PKR
There were other factors that contributed to PKR’s demise, too. Virtual reality poker rooms have increased in prominence recently, in many respects rendering 3D poker obsolete. Additionally, whether utilized on an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or other mobile device, PKR’s 3D poker app was notorious for eating up phone batteries. Sadly for customers and PKR employees, the company’s failure to combat those challenges led to its demise. 

Can players still use Bovada's poker client? 

Only until September 30th, as this is when Bovada officially closes down its U.S. online cardroom. Fortunately, if you currently have an account with the site, it has been made simple and lucrative to transfer your details and funds over to Ignition Casino. Sign in to your Bovada account, click 'join Ignition Casino' and follow the instructions. After you've finished this, you'll be given the option to transfer funds from your Bovada wallet to your new account at Ignition Casino. As a warm welcome to the site, players that have migrated from Bovada will receive an instant free $10 bonus and a freeroll ticket for one of the Early Bird tournament events at Ignition!

How do new players register for an account at Ignition Casino? 
To sign up at America's newest big name in online poker, just head to Ignition Casino Poker and press 'join now'. The process only takes a few moments and you'll receive a whopping $1,100 welcome bonus when you join!

• More players: One of the major perks of PKR Poker joining a network is the increased player pool it enjoys, meaning that you won’t ever have to find yourself waiting around for a game to start. Ranked at 38th in PokerScout’s Online Poker Traffic Report prior to joining the new network, PKR Poker is now listed in the top ten busiest online cardrooms in the world with a 600% increase in its traffic.
  
  
• Bigger games: As well as an increase in the number of players, users of the PKR Poker client are provided with a greater selection of tables and tournaments. Not only will players be able to choose from over three times more tournaments than before, but Now you can be a part of some of the largest ones in online poker, competing against thousands of other players for huge cash prizes. 
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• Better rewards: Since becoming a part of a major network, PKR Poker has made massive changes to its loyalty scheme – now called PKR Poker VIP Club – with CEO Chris Welch ensuring that players will be ‘better rewarded than before’. With better cashback rewards, free tournament tickets and free casino games all available through this new loyalty system, PKR Poker is one of the most generous online cardrooms around.

 
Why Play Mobile Poker At PKR?
Aside from these benefits that come as a result of PKR Poker’s partnership withMPN, the client itself has many great features that can’t be overlooked. Most notably is its 3D graphics which bring the thrill of the live game to the tables online, where players can create detailed avatars, express a variety of emotions at the felt and visibly move chips as they make a bet. Android users can enjoy this immersive experience that is unique to PKR Poker whilst benefitting from the perks of belonging to a larger poker network.

Whether you prefer cash games or tournaments, there is a table to suit you with buy-ins starting as low as €1 and reaching as high as €1,000. If you are new to poker, there is even a practice mode where you can develop your skills against real players without having to worry about losing your money!

​For those feeling more adventurous, PKR Poker also offers Omaha games, an exciting variant of Texas Hold ‘Em where players hold four cards instead of two, meaning bigger action and bigger pots. Along with freeroll tournaments, large bonuses for new users and excellent rakeback rewards for all, it is no doubt as to why PKR Poker is one of the most thriving online cardrooms right now.  ​

Variety of games: You’ll be spoilt for choice at America’s Cardroom mobile site: take a seat a cash game table suited to you – ranging from $0.05/$0.10 right up to $25/$50, and with fixed limit, pot limit and no limit games all available – find the felt that meets your needs; there are huge tournaments running 24/7 where you can win a large cash prize with only a small buy-in, and daily freerolls where America’s Cardroom literally give money to players for nothing are naturally appealing; most exciting of all is the provision of Jackpot Poker, a three-person sit & go where players compete for a jackpot of up to 2,000 times their buy-in, meaning that you can win a life-changing amount of cash in just a matter of minutes.


Great gameplay: The team at America’s Cardroom have designed an iPhone and Android poker experience that retains the excitement of the live game. There is an in-game chat function that affords you the ability of talking your opponent out of calling your bluff, and players are able to upload their own picture as an avatar to create that competitive real-life experience. As seen in live poker, if you make the final table of a tournament, you can arrange a deal with other players to restructure the prize pool in a way that satisfies everybody! Along with clear graphics and a display that is optimised for the screen of your device, America’s Cardroom bring an authentic and enjoyable mobile poker experience right to your fingertips.

Simple to register with great bonuses: It only takes a moment to register at the site, and Facebook users can login with their account details to get straight to the action. New mobile poker depositors will be matched with a 100% bonus that doubles the amount you put into your account, and your loyalty is rewarded by a points system whereby points can be exchanged for great prizes.  ​

About America’s Cardroom
A partner of the Winning Poker Network since 2011, America’s Cardroom boasts state-of-the-art software to provide the best possible poker experience for both players inside and outside of the United States. As a member of this network, players can enjoy a large player pool that is shared across a number of other sites, meaning bigger games and bigger prizes! With all these benefits, if you are an iOS, Windows Phone or Android user, be sure to watch this space to keep posted on when you’ll be able to join the action at one of the most exciting online cardrooms around. 

UPDATE:  BetOnline have now released a BetOnline poker app for U.S. players.