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Online Poker Bonuses

Poker bonuses are a great way to boost your bankroll while starting your online poker career. There are loads of poker rooms competing for your attention with different promotions and bonus offers, and many of them can be very profitable if you know which ones to choose.

Sign-up and Deposit Bonuses


The sign-up bonus is usually offered with your first deposit; your first deposit will be matched at a certain percentage that varies between the poker rooms. A bonus offer will typically state something like: "50% deposit match up to $100". This means that the poker room will add an extra 50% to your deposit up to a maximum of $100. In other words, you have to deposit $200 to get the maximum bonus, but you can always go with a smaller amount as well.

Don’t be discouraged if this percentage is low. In most cases, sign-up bonuses with a smaller deposit match are much easier to clear than the larger ones.

Bonus Requirements


The bonus is rarely paid out straight away, and if it is, you won’t be able to cash it out. You always have to meet some sort of requirement before you can cash out your bonus. Many poker rooms have "raked hand" requirements, meaning that you have to play a certain amount of hands where rake is taken from the pot before you get paid. Other rooms use player points to determine when the bonus is awarded.

An important thing to keep in mind is that the requirements vary greatly between different poker rooms, and it’s therefore important to carefully read the Terms & Conditions before signing up. At some sites, the bonuses will clear quickly, while other sites have rather harsh requirements that have to be met before you get your bonus.

The Reload Bonus


A number of poker rooms have great loyalty programs, where you will receive additional bonuses even after your initial sign-up bonus has been paid out. These may be offered on a regular basis or as part of a special promotion, and are usually called "reload bonuses," which means that you will receive the bonus when you make an additional deposit. You can always withdraw your current balance before or after making the new deposit, so it really costs you nothing, and you should really take advantage of promotions like these when they are offered.