The most common type of poker bonus available on online poker sites is the deposit bonus. There is fierce competition among the numerous online poker sites. In order to stay competitive, all poker sites offer bonuses, and it is the deposit bonuses that are most commonly used as incentives. If you are relatively new to online poker, it is the deposit bonuses you should look for in order to find the best bonus that suits you.
In brief, an initial deposit bonus is a reward given to every new player upon making their first deposit on a poker site. Essentially, all you need to do is make a deposit to receive extra funds for playing. However, it's worth noting that certain poker sites release the deposit bonus in increments based on your gameplay (and consequently, your rake). For instance, you could receive $10 into your account for every $50 you rake, until you have received the entire bonus. In this article, we assume that the bonus is credited to your account immediately upon becoming a member.
How does the deposit bonus work?
To start, you will join the poker site. You will sign up using your name, address, and a few other details. After that, you will gain access to all of the poker site's poker rooms. You can engage in games against other players using play money, but since you don't have any real money in your account, you can't play for cash. To play for money, you must first make a deposit.
Making a deposit to your poker account is a breeze and only takes a few minutes. First, you select your preferred payment method. Most poker sites offer a plethora of payment options, ranging from credit cards to Neteller, Moneybookers, and other e-wallets. Once you've chosen your payment method, simply fill in the amount of money you want to transfer to your poker site account. The transfer will then be processed automatically, and within a few minutes, the funds will be available in your account.
Depending on the deposit bonus offered by your poker site, you will then receive a bonus on your deposited money. Often, the bonus is matched, meaning that the poker site matches your deposit up to a certain amount. If you have deposited 1000 kronor, you will therefore have 2000 kronor to play with. Sometimes, the bonus is a certain percentage of your deposit. It could, for example, be 50 percent or 200 percent. However, there is always a limit on how much bonus you can receive in total.
How do I play with a deposit bonus? Once the deposit bonus has been credited to your account, you can start playing poker with real money. It's important to note that the bonus amount received does not differ from your own deposited funds when it comes to the actual gameplay. However, it's worth remembering that you cannot withdraw the bonus directly to your bank account. In order to be able to withdraw the deposit bonus, you must play a certain number of raked hands, which are poker hands where the poker site deducts its fee (rake). Rake is not charged on every hand, with very small pots usually being exempt from rake.
The number of played hands required may vary among different poker sites. However, a general rule of thumb is that you must play ten times the number of hands that the bonus corresponds to. So, if you receive a $100 bonus, you would need to play 1000 hands before being able to withdraw the bonus to your bank account.
To fulfill the "wagering requirements" for the bonus, you need to play through the number of hands required to withdraw it. This is the term you should be on the lookout for when exploring different poker sites. If you're seeking a generous deposit bonus to quickly build your bankroll and advance at the tables, this might not be of much interest. However, if you're a novice player simply looking to try out online poker, it's important to know how much you need to play before you can withdraw your bonus funds.
Recurring BonusesOne category of deposit bonuses is referred to as recurring bonuses, or loyalty bonuses. Occasionally, individuals receive a regular deposit bonus not only on their first deposit, but also on their second. Sometimes, the offer entails the opportunity to obtain a fresh chance at a deposit bonus every month or quarter.