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Is it possible to get bonuses for playing poker at online casinos?
Public Group active 1 year, 6 months agoOnline casinos have long been known for the lucrative bonuses that they offer. The online casino marketplace is very competitive and so sites aim to attract and retain players using promotions and offers. Is the same true of online poker?
The bonuses in online poker have always been a little different and tend to reward returning players. That’s still the case, but the trend of online casinos merging with online poker rooms has created an even more promising scenario in which poker players can get the best of both worlds.
Along with the usual poker bonuses, ranging from freerolls to VIP points, players can now utilize traditional online casino bonuses when using a platform that offers both.
One of the companies that offer both on an integrated platform is Ignition Poker, which has a welcome bonus available for both casino and poker players, along with a range of other offers for both new and returning customers.
If you’re keen to get stuck into poker and are looking to make the most of the experience, here’s a rundown of the types of bonuses that you might find online.
Welcome bonuses
Welcome bonuses are now one of the most offered bonuses for both casino and poker players alike. The concept is quite simple. Players who are making their first deposit on a site are given a welcome package of some kind, usually involving cash or tournament tickets.
The deposit match is the most common welcome bonus. The player’s first deposit is matched by a percentage up to a certain amount. On Ignition, this is 200 percent up to $2,000 for deposits using credit cards.
The welcome bonus increases even further if the deposit is made using cryptocurrency. In this case, the bonus is 300 percent up to $3,000.
It’s worth keeping in mind that terms and conditions are in place for unlocking these bonuses, such as wagering requirements. Players must wager a certain amount to unlock the bonus, usually released in small increments. Still, these bonuses can prove very useful.
Although deposit bonuses are typically only available for first time deposits, some sites may also offer a reload bonus for second or third deposits, usually a smaller percentage and amount.
VIP rewards and loyalty schemes
It’s clear that casinos and poker sites reward new players, but what about returning players? Most companies recognize the importance of retention and offer bonuses for those who come back time and time again. They are known as VIP rewards or loyalty schemes.
As is the case with all casino games, poker players pay a certain amount of rake on cash games or fees for tournaments. For every dollar of rake spent, players are given reward points that can often be traded in for cash prizes, tournament tickets, or merchandise.
If players earn a set amount of points, they can move up the VIP ladder and may gain access to improved rewards, rakeback deals, or free tournaments.
Bad beat bonuses
Now it’s time to move on to the bonuses that are exclusive for poker players, such as bad beat jackpots. These are sometimes offered by land-based casinos as well as some, but not all poker sites, usually in cash games rather than tournaments.
A bad beat bonus is paid out for rare situations when a very strong hand is beaten by an even stronger one. There will always be a minimum qualifying hand, such as four-of-a-kind jacks or better getting beaten by a stronger four of a kind of straight flush.
In physical casinos, bad-beat bonuses are usually split between the losing player and winning player in the hand, as well as others playing on the table. When playing online poker, it’s more likely that the losing player will take the whole amount.
Poker rooms and online poker sites may also offer other, similar kinds of bonuses for making particular hands. The most common of these is the royal flush bonus, which pays a cash prize for making the rarest hand in poker.
Poker tournament freerolls
Poker tournaments are available at various buy-in levels, known as the stake. At local casinos, it’s likely the schedule will include only a couple of tournaments per night, most at the low or mid stakes. Online poker platforms are able to offer a wider variety of games running daily.
It’s also possible to play for free using play money, known as tokens. These are not worth any money. It’s just a way to sample the game and get used to the platform.
There’s another type of free game available as a kind of promotion for poker players. They are known as freerolls. They are free to buy in, yet have real cash prizes. It’s even possible to build a bankroll by playing freerolls.
Online poker platforms run freerolls as a way to attract newer players and provide a way for them to experience the game for real money without any risk. They may run daily or weekly and be available for all players or just a select group.
Freerolls are just one more way in which it’s possible to get bonuses when playing poker at online sites.