The world of poker bonuses can be a confusing one for a new player.  Everything seems straightforward enough at first –  make a deposit and the room will match it by some amount, up to some maximum. 

Behind that simplicity, however, is a bit of fine print that’s worth digging into.  It turns out there a re a number of factors besides just the bonus amount that can determine the actual value and quality of the bonus, factors we’ll discuss below.

Banking: What banking options does the site offer?  What are their minimum deposits and withdrawals?  Do the payment methods they feature come with any fees?  These are important questions that require a bit of research.  At paypal poker sites, for example, fees might be minimal –  but if you’re dealing directly with bank transfers, there’s a chance you’ll pay a hefty fee.

Clearance Rate:  How much rake do you have to pay to clear the bonus?  Rooms don’t just hand you the bonus money upfront; instead they release it in increments as you pay rake.  Clearance rates can vary wildly –  we’ve seen rates as low as 10% and and high as 50%.  A bonus is useless to you if you can’t earn it, so be sure you’re aware of how much rake is required to clear the bonus before you sign up.

Parallel Rewards: The bonus is great, but what other promotions does the room let you earn as you’re clearing the bonus?  Some rooms don’t let you earn other bonuses while you’re working through the deposit bonus, while others let you clear as many bonuses and promos as you want with that play.  The difference in value between the two can be substantial.

Hopefully this brief article has provided you with a starting point for analyzing poker bonuses on your own.  Just remember –  while the numbers of a bonus may look appealing, they rarely, if ever, tell the whole story.