The Best Setup to Start Your Online Poker Career

If you’re going to do it, do it right. Gumball 3000 rally drivers always make sure their rides are fully prepped for whatever the road has to offer, whether it’s fundamental equipment like ceramic brakes, or a simple accessory like cup holders.

The same goes for Ignition online poker. If you want to get the most value out of the time you spend at Ignition Poker, you need the best online poker setup you can put together.

We’re not talking a casual game of cards, either. If you’re just looking to play a few hands of poker, maybe while you’re in between stops, your smartphone or tablet will do just fine. But if you’re trying to maximize your skill edge and your results at Ignition Casino, online poker can’t be played like it’s a game of Candy Crush. You need a supercar-level setup, including desktop, gaming chair, multiple screens – the whole enchilada.

With that in mind, here’s our Ignition Poker guide for the best equipment and accessories out there on the market, and how to use them to play the best online poker you can.

Desktop

You don’t actually need a lot of computing power to play at Ignition Poker. Almost any internet-ready desktop (or laptop) can handle things easily, whether you download the dedicated Ignition Poker client or log in directly using our industry-leading web app.

Having said that, you should definitely use a computer that you enjoy, and your device should be robust as well. The last thing you need is to have something go wrong in the middle of a session, just like you don’t want your car falling apart during a rally.

Your decision might boil down to one simple question: Are you a Mac, or a PC? Generally speaking, Macintosh computers – including Macbook Pro laptops – are the most reliable pieces of hardware you can buy. However, PCs are more widely-used and more versatile, so you might find it easier to put together a tricked-out gaming system using these as your base.

Multiple Displays

There’s a good chance you already have a workstation with multiple monitors, especially if you’re in finance. High-end poker is no different; playing will be much easier and more enjoyable if you have more screen space to work with. Maybe you’ll have the Ignition Poker lobby on one screen, and use two more displays for the tables you’ll open up (remember, you can play up to two Zone Poker tables, four cash tables, or 15 tournament tables at the same time).

Like most things involving computers, the price of monitors has dropped significantly in recent years. It’s easy to snap up a few screens and integrate them into your workstation. Curved monitors aren’t quite as popular as they were a few years back, but in theory, they’re better for your eyes and easier to fit around your headspace.

Controllers

Now it’s time to get behind the wheel. You’ll be “steering” your computer using input devices – keyboard and mouse are standard for most players, but there are other controllers out there. We’ll get to those in a moment.

The keyboard is a must. Gaming keyboards are readily available; you’ll want a mechanical keyboard, meaning the keys are activated using switches rather than membranes and/or rubber. The switches make the keyboard more responsive, and longer-lasting too.

A gaming mouse will be a welcome addition to your arsenal if you don’t have one already. For security, wired is preferable to wireless for all your online poker gadgets, mice included. You’ll definitely want an LED/laser mouse rather than an old-school ball mouse.

You don’t necessarily need a mouse, though. In fact, if you’re planning some serious multi-tabling, you might want to try a gaming glove. These will allow you to bet, raise and fold more quickly and accurately than a standard mouse. Just program the glove so it maps certain hand gestures to certain moves, like pinching together your thumb and index finger to raise.

Having said that, consider using a mouse with your “free” hand at the same time as your gaming glove. Use the mouse to move your cursor from one table to the next (and from the tables to the Ignition Poker lobby), and use the glove to make your plays at the poker table.

Gaming Chair

There’s nothing quite as disappointing as getting into a sweet, sweet ride and finding out the seats aren’t made of leather. You’re going to be spending hours at a time at your computer playing poker, so if you want the best experience possible, you want the best gaming chair possible.

Or do you? Sitting down is fine for the most part, but when you’re playing online poker for several hours at a time, it might be healthier for you to use a standing desk, or perhaps a kneeling chair.

If these options aren’t your thing, definitely spend some cash on one of those gaming chairs that look like they came from the deck of the Starship Enterprise. Lumbar support is key; some of these chairs also have massage units, head pillows, armrests, footrests – you name it.

Additional Accessories

On top of these basic poker workstation elements, you have a whole host of secondary accessories that may benefit you when you’re playing at Ignition Poker. For example, you can get a mouse pad and/or keyboard with wrist support. Some kind of drink tray would be nice, too – gotta have those cup holders.

Then you have all that poker software. HUDs and other tracking software aren’t allowed at Ignition Poker, but when you’re away from the tables, you can use “solvers” and other programs to work on your game.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, make sure you’re using Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi when you go online. Again, it’s all about staying on the road, so keep it wired instead of wireless, and build in some redundancies (back-up power source included) in case of emergency.

That’s it: Our simple guide to all of the different components of a winning poker setup. Choose the brands you like the most at the prices you can afford. If at any time you feel like your workstation needs upgrading, go ahead and make whatever changes you feel like. You have the control.