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Online Poker Bonuses
2 weeks ago
If you are looking to maximize your poker winnings you should definitely look for poker sites with massive bonuses. Poker bonuses are an excellent way to gain additional value, with the right bonus you can boost your bankroll significantly without risking your own money.
To find a good poker bonus is especially important for new players because poker sites usually offer the best bonuses to new players who signs up to their sites. So, make sure you find a juicy bonus that also matches your other criteria’s you might have when signing up for a new poker site. You don’t necessarily need to stick to one bonus you can activate several bonuses on different sites to maximize the value.
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Best Online Poker Bonuses in 2024
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Pros and Cons of Poker Bonuses
Reviewing these pros and cons can ultimately help you make informed decision whether it’s worth to pursue a poker bonus or not.
Pros
- Bankroll boost
- Risk-free money
- Extended playtime
Cons
- Wagering requirements
- Game restrictions
- Watch out for deceiving bonuses
Bankroll Boost
A good poker bonus can double or triple your initial deposit which for most players will be a significant boost to their bankroll. Even if the money is locked from withdraws you can still use this extra money to play with until the wagering requirements are met, and you can unlock the bonus.
Risk-free Money
A No deposit bonus for example gives you the opportunity to play with real money without risking your own funds. This type of bonus with risk-free money is great to use after you first claimed a welcome bonus so you can the benefits from both bonus types.
Extended Playtime
The extra money you will get when activating a bonus will instantly be credited to your account. The additional funds will help you to stay afloat for a longer time period without having to deposit more money. Make sure you make the most of this extended playtime so you can increase your chances of winning.
Wagering Requirements
Poker bonuses typically come with wagering requirements that needs to be fulfilled before you have the right to withdraw any funds. In some cases, you will have to wager a substantial number of hands before you can cash out any winnings. Make sure that wagering conditions is reasonable before signing up for a bonus.
Game Restrictions
Some bonuses can be deceiving and appear more attractive than they actually are once you factor in requirements and restrictions. Make it a habit to always read through and understand all terms and conditions before you claim a bonus to make sure you don’t waste time.
How to Claim a Poker Bonus
Before you can claim a poker bonus, make sure you’re up to date on all poker rules that make the game happen:
- Select a poker site: Choose a trusted online poker site provides the bonuses you are seeking, also ensure the site matches your other criteria’s you have for an online poker site. Make sure you carefully review terms and conditions to fully understand what’s required.
- Create an account: Register an account by submitting your personal information, including your name, email and password. Be prepared and have your ID or passport accessible for further identity verifications. In this step the site may ask you to fill in potential promo or bonus codes.
- Deposit funds: Now it’s time to deposit funds, usually a bonus requires a minimum and a maximum amount. If you are looking to maximize the bonus you should deposit the bonus maximum amount which usually is 100% of the money you deposit. If you deposit €100 and the bonus gives you 100% of your deposit, you will therefore get €100 extra to play for so when the registrations process is over you will now have €200 on your account to play for.
- Meet the requirements: In this final step it’s time to fulfill the wagering requirements which usually means to complete a set number of hands before you can unlock the bonus money that has been credited to your account.
Types of Online Poker Bonuses
There are many types of different poker bonuses. We will review the most important ones that you can find at the best poker sites online:
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is a very common and, in many cases, also a very attractive bonus. The bonus is only offered for new players that signs up and creates an account on an online poker site. A welcome bonus also requires a deposit where the minimum and maximum amounts will be specified in the terms and conditions for the bonus. The welcome bonus usually ranges between €50 to €1000 with a 100% match up on your deposit. A 100% match up bonus will double your deposit up to that amount. The bonus terms typically require you to wager your money 20x or more before you can unlock the bonus funds. Some bonuses also include game restrictions where certain games or formats are excluded to use. Country restrictions for welcome bonuses might apply where players from certain countries can’t claim bonuses due to local gambling laws.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is a special promotion from online poker sites to attract new players. This type of bonus doesn’t require a deposit, making it an attractive bonus option for players to join the action without risking their own funds. A no deposit bonus encourages players to try out the poker platform. It’s a good way for a beginner to play for real money for the first time risk free. The average bonus amount offered for a no deposit bonus is generally smaller compared to deposit bonuses. The bonus amounts typically ranges from €5 to €25. Even if you aren’t risking your own money with this type of bonus most of them comes with wagering requirements before you can withdraw any winnings. Game, country or age restriction might also apply for a no deposit bonus. To be on the safe side always make sure to check terms and conditions for the bonus.
Tournament Tickets
Tournament tickets is another common type of poker bonus used by the poker sites to reward their players. The tournament ticket grants players a free buy-in into selected tournaments. These tickets are ideal for players to join major events at no personal expense. Tournament tickets is usually offered to new and existing players or as a reward for VIP-players for their loyalty. The average value of these tickets varies widely from €1 – €100. In some cases, also multiple tickets can be rewarded to loyal players. Most ticket are tied to a specific event but some also offers cash value which gives you the freedom to enter any tournament that matches the value of the ticket. The ticket themselves doesn’t require any wagering, but potential winnings derived from a tournament ticket might include wagering requirements. Tournament tickets usually have a specified timeframe within they must be used before they expire.
Rakeback
Whether if you are a beginner or professional player rakeback gives you an incentive to play more hands. The more hands you play the more rakeback you will earn. Every pot in poker that is over a certain amount also consists of rake (a small service fee, taken by the poker sites). Rakeback is a reward system where you get a percentage of the rake back. For larger volumes of hands played this will result in significant earnings. The rakeback percentage usually ranges from 5% to 50%. Most poker sites use reward systems or loyalty programs with incentives to climb in status levels based on number of hands
played. The higher level you reach the higher will also your rakeback percentage be. Rakeback is typically paid out weekly or monthly directly to your poker account. Rakeback usually doesn’t count when playing with bonus money, you will have to generate rake by playing in real-money games.
Exclusive Poker Bonuses
Exclusive poker bonuses can be seen as premium offers for selected players provided through affiliate partnerships or during special events. These bonuses usually offer enhanced value and benefits for selected players, these kinds of bonuses are not available for the general public. Exclusive bonuses can be offered to participants of specific events, to players who signed up to poker sites through an affiliate link or promotional code or as a bonus offer to loyal players tied to a poker sites loyalty program. The average bonus amount for these kinds of bonuses is slightly higher than standard bonuses. Either by a higher rakeback percentage than normal 40%-50% or more or by an increased deposit match up bonus from 200% or higher. Even if these exclusive poker bonuses come with a lot of perks, they usually also consist of wagering requirements and restrictions similar to other bonus types.
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is a promotion offered to existing players on a poker site who already has made a deposit. A welcome bonus is only offered once and therefore the reload bonus is way for online poker sites to encourage existing players to continue to play on the platform. Existing players and loyal players part of a VIP program are usually offered this type of bonus. The bonus value for a reload bonus works similar compared to a welcome bonus with a match up bonus based on the deposit, however the match percentage is usually lower compared to a welcome bonus. The match up percentage for a reload bonus typically ranges from 25% to 100%. On the other hand, this kind of bonus is usually offered on a regular basis, weekly or monthly. Reload bonuses also requires wagering starting from 20x of the bonus amount. Some game restrictions might also apply.
VIP Poker Bonuses
A VIP poker bonus is exclusive to members of a poker sites loyalty program, to be qualified as member of a loyalty you usually have to play a larger number of hands. These bonuses reward high volume players for their loyalty to the site, with customized perks and benefits beyond regular promotions. The higher you are up in the ladder the higher the reward and the more you rake the more you will benefit from a VIP poker bonus. Naturally, VIP members and high stakes players who produces large volumes of rake have the right to claim this type of bonus. The bonus value for a VIP poker bonus usually ranges from €100 up to €1000 connected with a 100% match up bonus. Beyond these, additional perks like tournament tickets, invites to special events and higher rakeback percentages can be offered. The wagering requirements and game restrictions for a VIP poker bonus are usually much lower compared to a standard bonus.
Clearing a Poker Bonus to Withdraw
A poker bonus can greatly benefit players, it’s crucial to be aware of the restrictions to maximize their value. Wagering requirements, time limits and game restrictions are the most common issues to look out for. Players should always carefully review the fine print to be able to make informed decisions before committing to a bonus.
Paying Rake or Earning Enough Points
A Welcome bonus or also called First deposit bonus is one example of a bonus where you need to pay rake or earn enough points before the bonus can be cleared. Typically, the bonus will be released in small portions and not all at once, rake and loyalty points will be accumulated by playing real-money hands. The bonus system encourages consistent play and motivates players to accumulate more points.
Time to Clear the Requirements
Beside wagering requirements some bonuses also include a clearly defined time period usually ranging from a week to a couple of months depending of the size of the bonus. Within this timeframe you need to accumulate enough rake or loyalty points before you can clear the full bonus amount. If you fail to meet the conditions within the given period, the bonus will expire, and you will lose the right to fully claim it.
Other Restrictions
Game and stake restrictions are other common restrictions related to poker bonuses, whether you’re playing on a new poker site or an established one. Game restrictions for a poker bonus mean that only some specific games are valid when it comes to accumulating points or rake. The same logic applies to which stakes will be applicable for the bonus. Players might feel their flexibility is limited if their favorite games or stakes don’t apply for the bonus, and they have to play games out of their comfort zone in order to clear the bonus. A poker bonus might also be limited to regulated markets where online poker is fully licensed. Some poker bonuses also restrict payment methods for deposits. It’s crucial to check beforehand for accepted payment methods otherwise you might not be able to claim the bonus.
Conclusion
A poker bonus can greatly reward players, but be aware that they come with both benefits and drawbacks. A poker bonus can be a significant boost to your bankroll if you use it effectively and by complying with the terms and conditions. Moreover, poker bonuses can reward you with tournament tickets, invites to special events and other exclusive promotions. On the downside they often include strict wagering requirements or other restrictions that might make the bonus less appealing.
By breaking down the advantages and potential drawbacks of a poker bonus allows you to determine whether pursuing them is worthwhile. Players should always carefully review the fine print to be able to make informed decisions before committing to a bonus.
FAQs
An online poker bonus is offered by poker sites to attract new players or reward existing ones. A poker bonus can give your bankroll a significant boost if you use it wisely. Most poker bonuses come with wagering requirements and restrictions. Always read through terms and conditions before you claim a poker bonus, so you know what to expect.
Most poker sites offer welcome bonuses to new players, these can be claimed when you sign up for a new poker site. In some cases, you might also need to fill in bonus code to be able to claim the bonus. If you are an existing player and already have one account you will be offered new poker bonuses either directly in the poker client or by email.
Welcome bonus, no-deposit bonus, tournament tickets, rakeback deals, exclusive poker bonus, reload bonus and VIP poker bonus are the most common types of poker bonuses. They all have different advantages and drawbacks. Choose wisely what bonus type that suits your needs best.
To be able to find the poker bonus that suits your need, you should consider some key factors: bonus amount, wagering requirements, bonus type and potential restrictions. It’s important to weight in all these factors when you compare different bonuses with each other.
Wagering requirements are conditions attached to a bonus which usually refers to a set amount of rake or bonus points you need to accumulate before you can withdraw any money. The lower the wagering requirements are the faster you will be able to unlock your bonus money. Wagering requirements often ranges from 20x to 50x the bonus amounts, although some exclusive poker bonuses might offer much lower wagering requirements as a reward for loyal players. If you receive a bonus of €100 with a 20x wagering requirement, it means that you need to generate €2000 in rake (20 times €100).
It’s important to check beforehand if there is any time limit attached to the poker bonus. If you fail to meet the requirements within the set time frame the bonus along with potential winnings may be forfeited. However, many bonuses are released in portions rather than the full amount at once. For example, a €500 bonus can be released in €50 portions which will be unlocked after you earned a specific amount of bonus points. A poker bonus with a release structure significantly reduces the pressure to clear a bonus when you can release parts of the bonus money gradually.
Poker bonuses often come with restriction such as game restrictions or time limits. Some bonuses might only be available for players in specific countries or regions because of market regulations. Additionally, some payment methods might be excluded from the poker bonus. Always check beforehand that your preferred payment method is accepted.
After all the wagering requirements are met within the set time limit, you can rightfully unlock your bonus and withdraw the bonus money. A poker bonus with a release structure unlocks parts of the bonus money progressively, meaning that you will be able to secure parts of the bonus money even if you fail to wager the full bonus amount within the set time frame.
Yes, some poker bonuses can offer you substantial value and can give your bankroll a well worth boost. As long as you fully understand all terms and conditions and weigh in if the wagering requirements and all restrictions of a specific poker bonus is reasonable or not. Experienced players will quickly be able to determine if the value of a poker bonus is worth pursuing or not.