Visit any random poker room and chances are the first thing you'll notice are the
poker bonuses. Featured predominantly on the poker room home pages, often in BIG bold text and bright colors, these bonuses are the tools used to lure you in and get you to play. Poker bonuses offer tempting rewards in return for a small sum of your money. Some poker rooms even offer bonuses for free – that is, a no-deposit bonus just so you'll give that poker room a try.
Why do websites offer poker bonuses?
Ever wondered why poker sites give away hefty sums of money as bonuses? What's in it for them, you might ask! In an industry with such fierce competition, where customers get weaned away by competitors and where a newbie poker site has virtually no immediate exposure or history to rely on, poker bonuses provide much needed respite. They help a new poker site entrant to stand out from the pack of established sites, giving them an initial boost in new players. For established websites, poker bonuses are a mechanism to retain existing players while inviting new players to give them a chance, Poker bonuses spread goodwill to players, especially if the bonus is a substantial amount. When comparing poker rooms, some of which are built on similar, if not identical, base software, the most important factor in swaying the decision of the player is the size and type of the poker bonus being offered. Poker bonuses are essential to a successful business model applied by poker rooms.
Choosing the right poker bonus
Poker bonuses are everywhere – in every site you go to – they're there. Choosing the right one can prove to be difficult in such situations. However it helps to get an understanding of the types of bonuses being offered.
Signup bonus:
A signup bonus is where first time visitors to a poker site are offered a bonus on return for signing up. Signup bonuses are typically substantial amounts, offered in terms of either a percentage bonus or a dollar bonus, often matched to the initial deposit of the player
No deposit bonus:
These bonuses are designed for players who are weary about jumping into the world of online poker or who are afraid to risk their own money. No deposit bonuses allow you to play at a poker room for REAL money. The perk is the money is given to you for FREE by the poker room. No deposit bonuses are hard to come by and are usually very low dollar amounts, but they're an excellent option to those who want to try it out before risking their own money.
Deposit bonus:
Depending on the deposit method you chose to fund your poker room balance, you may be entitled to bonuses from the transfer. For example, if the poker room preferences Neteller as a deposit method, they may offer a 15% bonus on any money transferred from Neteller into their account. It makes the most sense to fund your poker room account with a deposit method where a bonus is paid… it's free money.
Raked hand bonuses:
In order to be eligible to cash-out winnings from bonus money, players may be required to accumulate a certain number of raked hands. This varies from poker room to poker room, so be sure to read the fine print.
Loyalty bonuses:
Loyal players are rewarded with month gifts, extra bonus money, even free cash just as a "thank you" for their continued participation at a given poker room. It's a tool used by poker rooms to retain players, while offering the players an incentive to keep playing. It's a win-win for both parties.
Tips to avoid fraud
- Use play money or trial software: No matter what the type of bonus being offered is, it helps to try out poker sites with play money while starting out. This helps you 'test' out sites before parting with any real money.
- Be suspicious of free games: Some poker sites offer bonuses in return for playing a free game of poker. However, the downside to this is that you will receive this bonus only for a stipulated period after registration.
- No risk, pay later schemes: A few poker sites offer these schemes that promise you bonuses and a chance to play with real money, just by signing up for free. This may fool you into thinking that there's no real risk to your own money. However, fact is, at a later date, you will usually be coerced into parting with your own money.
- Raked hand schemes: These will often entail playing hundreds of raked hands before ever qualifying for a bonus. No one said it was easy!
Most of the times these bonuses sound too good to be true and can also be very tempting for new players - especially the ones that do not require any upfront payment. However,
poker bonuses just like other marketing gimmicks have a catch to them – it's essential to keep a watch for the fine print before taking the plunge. Know what you're getting into and understand the rules behind poker bonuses before you jump in and play.