The Complete Guide to Free Online Poker Bonuses

What Are Free Online Poker Bonuses and How Do They Work?

How do poker deposit bonuses work?
Poker sites use free online poker bonuses to attract customers to their site in hopes that they will become a long-term customer. Customers who open an account and deposit money are entitled to the free online poker bonus. The free online poker bonus is generally a percentage of the deposit made or sometimes is just a fixed amount. The bonuses, rules, and conditions are slightly different at each site but the basic premise for free online poker bonuses is generally the same.

Types of Free Online Poker Bonuses

1/ Percentage of Deposit: The most common free online poker bonus is given as a percentage of your first deposit. The free online poker bonus ranges from 20% at some sites to 1,000% at others.  For example, some popular poker sites offer a free online poker bonus of 20% of your deposit up to a maximum of $100. In this case, if your first deposit is $500 you would receive a $100 free online poker bonus. If your first deposit is $100 you would receive a $20 free online poker bonus.

2/ Fixed Bonus Amount: A few online poker rooms offer a fixed free online poker bonus amount to customers who make a minimum deposit. This is generally a $25 deposit bonus with a minimum deposit of $50. The two main poker sites that offer this type of free online poker bonus are Party Poker and Empire Poker.

3/ No Deposit Bonuses: A few online poker rooms give you a free online poker bonus just for signing up an account. No deposit is required. The amount is generally small - $10 to $15.

4/ Reload Bonuses: Many online poker rooms will give you a free online poker bonus just for signing up an account. No deposit is required. The amount is generally $10 to $15.

How Do You Earn Free Online Poker Bonuses?
The requirements to be able to cash out your free online poker bonus vary among the online poker rooms.  There is generally a requirement to accumulate raked hands or player points in cash games at the online poker room supplying the bonus.  Tournaments can sometimes be used to clear your free online poker bonus, but more often the online poker room will steer you toward cash games. 

Some free online poker bonuses clear in a lump sum while others clear in increments.  For lump sum clearing, your entire free online poker bonus will be released for cashout once you have earned all the points or raked hands required.  For incremental clearing, your free online poker bonus will be released in equal portions as your raked hands or player points accumulate.

Online poker rooms have different requirements to earn the deposit bonus so be sure to read the fine print at each poker site before depositing.

Strategies to Maximize Free Online Poker Bonuses
Some of our ITH members have perfected the art of maximizing the free online poker bonuses available every month. The best strategy for maximizing your earnings using free online poker bonuses will depend on several variables including your preferred game, your poker bankroll and your personal preferences.  There are many poker bonus chasers who read and contribute in our poker bonus chasing forum, so if you have any questions about the best way to proceed in your situation, join the forum and feel free to ask questions.

Poker sites that offer free online poker bonuses are one of the best ways of increasing your poker profits. The great news is that almost every online poker room offers these deposit bonuses with just a couple of exceptions. A complete listing of free online poker bonuses for most of the major online poker rooms can be found at our Online Poker Bonus Listings.