Online Poker Bonuses

If you are new to online poker, it's important to understand how poker bonuses work since they are a free incentive that you can take advantage of as a new player.  The most common type of poker bonus in the market is what is known as a match bonus whereby the poker room will match your first real money deposit up to a certain amount.  For example a 100% up to $500 bonus would mean that if you deposited $300 your first time playing, the poker site would reward you with an additional $300 for free and you would start with an overall bankroll of $600.  This is the type of offer that you can expect to find at most online poker sites, however some rooms also offer free poker money to new players as a way for them to test out the room with no risk to see if they like it.

Once you have received your poker bonus, you will need to meet what is known as the wagering or bonus requirements.  These are restrictions placed on the bonus by the poker site in order to deter fraud and ensure that you are actually interested in being a loyal player at the site.  The way it works at most rooms is through a points system where the player earns points for playing in ring games and generating rake, or by playing in tournaments and paying tournament entry fees.  As you begin to accumulate points, the poker room will then begin to release the bonus to your player account.  Depending on the room some will release the bonus in increments of the overall amount while others will wait until you have completed the full requirements and then give you the bonus in one lump sum.  Once you have completed all the necessary requirements to release the bonus, you may either cash out and/or continue using it to play poker.

Since we know that poker sites require you earn a certain number of points before they will release your poker bonus into your real money account, many players wonder what the best strategies are for clearing a poker bonus.  Below are some of the best tips that players can use to ensure they reach their bonus without losing their poker bankroll.

Using these strategies is a great way to help you reach your poker bonus requirements while minimizing your chances of going bust and having to re-deposit again.  By focusing on playing great poker and utilizing good bankroll management skills, clearing your poker bonus offer should be relatively easy and at most sites can be completed within a few days of playing.  Overall, the best advice for choosing offers is to compare the different types available to you and find a site that offers an excellent bonus along with a great reputation, games & VIP program to ensure you have the best overall poker experience.