Today, poker rooms are in a fierce competition with each other in all aspects – software quality, customer support, game variety, and more. However, one of the most crucial factors for attracting new players remains the bonuses and promotions offered to newcomers. Who wouldn’t want to score a free 100% on their first deposit or snag a few tickets to major online tournaments? This is exactly why poker players hunt for rooms that promise the best deals.
There are two main types of bonuses: no-deposit bonuses and first deposit bonuses in poker. The no-deposit bonus is given upon registration, but it’s offered by only a limited number of rooms. The amount is quite small, barely enough to kickstart even seasoned players’ poker careers. On the other hand, the first deposit bonus in poker is a much sweeter deal, offering a specific amount in addition to the funds you deposit.
Understanding the First Deposit Bonus and Its Variants
A deposit means adding funds to your poker room account. Therefore, the deposit bonus is the reward you get after the player funds their account. Every room offers such bonuses, but the conditions for obtaining them and the amounts can vary significantly. So, before registering at any room, make sure to check out all the available bonuses.
Even though it’s called a “first deposit” bonus, some rooms might award it for multiple deposits within a certain timeframe. There are limits on the minimum and maximum deposit amounts. Of course, you can deposit more, but the bonus will only apply to the maximum allowed deposit amount.
There are several types of first deposit bonuses in poker. However, they can be split into two main categories: instant bonuses and those requiring playthrough. The first type means that after funding your account, you immediately receive the promised bonus – be it cash, tournament tickets, VIP points, etc. The second type, often called a deferred bonus, requires players to participate in real-money games to generate rake – the fees that go to the poker room.
A portion of the rake is returned to the player in the form of bonus or VIP points, which can then be exchanged for cash.
Important: Check the Terms for Bonus Playthrough: If the bonus is earned in parts, there’s no need to rush; you’ll receive an extra amount based on the money you manage to play through.
In cases where the bonus must be fully played through, you should clearly understand your capabilities – how much time you can devote to poker and how much rakeback you can generate during that time. If you fail to collect the required points within the specified time frame (usually 1-3 months), you won’t receive the bonus you’re entitled to.
Rakeback exists outside of deposit bonuses, but its percentage isn’t as high as with the first deposit bonus. Therefore, it’s still advisable to take full advantage of this opportunity to get extra cash completely for free.
The bonus amount for your first deposit is usually calculated by adding a percentage to the amount deposited. For example, a 100% bonus on deposits up to $600 means you can receive a deferred bonus of $600 if you manage to play through the entire amount. This means that the total amount deposited will be $1200.
Another type of bonus awarded with the first deposit is a one-time cash amount. For instance, the conditions might state that if you deposit $30, you’ll get an additional $10 for free. In this case, upon meeting these conditions, $40 will be credited to your account right away, which will be fully available to you without needing to be played through.
Examples of Bonuses in Poker Rooms
PokerStars offers all new users an instant bonus of $20 when making their first deposit of at least $20. To receive this bonus, the room requires entering a special promo code FREE20 during the deposit. If this code isn’t entered, a deferred bonus of 100% up to $600 will be activated instead.
PokerDom. In the Russian poker room, there’s a promotion where every new user making their first deposit receives a 200% bonus up to 160,000 rubles. Additionally, starting from January 15, 2018, all players making their first deposit automatically enter a draw for 15 tickets to a series of tournaments with a total guaranteed prize pool of 1,000,000 rubles.
888Poker offers a 100% bonus on your deposited amount up to $400. If you’re not satisfied with the playthrough terms, by entering the code 10Plus when making a deposit, you’ll receive $10 in your account. The minimum deposit amount is just $10, so for small deposits, it’s better to take the second option since that $10 won’t need to be played through – it’ll be yours right away.
All other well-known poker rooms also provide their new players with similar conditions for their first deposit. You can find out more about these conditions on their official websites. Choose rooms with the most attractive bonuses, make your deposits, and grab free cash!
