Much is made of online poker signup bonuses.  Players are always on the hunt for the biggest bonus with the greatest multiplier and the fastest clearance rate.  While the numbers tossed around by online poker bonuses are impressive, often topping out at thousands of dollars, should they be the number one consideration for poker players seeking an online home?

The answer is a clear no.  While important, online poker signup bonuses are only one of many factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for a online poker room.  What’s more, those factors vary considerably by player; someone with a lot of money to deposit might be attracted by a big-money bonus, but players looking to hit the real money tables without a deposit are no doubt more interested in how they can play free texas holdem online for free –  that is to say, they’re more interested in no deposit bonuses than deposit bonuses. 

Another question to ask is whether or not the room offering you a massive deposit bonus have software that supports your operating system?  If you’re running Windows this isn’t really a concern, but for players on a Mac, Linux or any other semi-exotic O/S machine, finding a room where you can play without running Windows can be a bit of a chore.  As you can see from browsing John’s site TexasHoldemOnline.com, the list of rooms you have access to can vary wildly based upon the type of computer you use.

One final thought: There’s an intangible quality to online poker rooms that can’t be summed up by any review.  It has to do with your comfort level at a room, and it’s not a factor you can really gauge without experience.  Taking software for a test drive before you decide to chase that big bonus can often make the difference between a positive online poker experience and a thoroughly negative one.