Are Bigger Casino Bonuses Better? Maybe, Maybe Not…
May 3rd, 2009 by admin
Almost every online casino offers some sort of first deposit bonus to attract new players. Most times, these bonuses come in the form of no deposit bonuses or “free chips”; match play, and multiplier bonuses that double, triple etc. the amount of money you deposited. Right away, most players think, “Well, give these types of bonuses, I’d probably go with the multiplier bonus, or better yet, a no deposit bonus and make money for free”. Not so fast! There are a few things you should know about casino bonuses, which will shed light on which are better than the others.
No Deposit Required Bonuses or “Free Chips”: Despite the obvious allure of free cash, with the possibility of making money for nothing, free chip style bonuses are among the most popular for players who not really serious about actually winning money from an online casino. Why? Well, one has to remember that the terms and conditions of free chip bonuses are often a page long. In some cases, players can not play table games (blackjack, craps, baccarat) that have a low house edge.
After that, players are essentially left with slots, which is as good as throwing your free chip away. Plain and simple, $25 free chip will not cut it for a slot machine. Finally, there are huge rollover requirements for these bonuses; meaning the player must wager 20 times or 30 times the value of the bonus before being eligible for a payout. On top of this, there may be a maximum payout limit if you manage to make it to the point of actually having real money in your account balance.
Multiplier Style Bonuses, 800% on your deposit, or 1000% on your deposit: These bonuses are a little more player friendly, but a good rule of thumb to remember is that the higher the bonus, the more difficult it actually is to claim any sort of winnings. For example, if you deposit $100 and get a 500% bonus for an extra $500, you will most definitely be subject to a litany of restrictions and play through requirements. Like no deposit bonuses, multiplier style bonuses always necessitate the need to wager your bonus value 20+ times on average, before you can cash out. Similarly, at some casinos you may not be able to play table games either, however this varies from operation to operation, so check you bonus’s rules closely.
Match Play Bonuses: Finally, a bonus that provides the player a chance of actually winning cash! Like their land based counterparts, many online casinos offer a simple match play on first deposit value. In most cases, you get $100 for $100 up to $1000 for $1000 in extra chips. Remember, this bonus is NOT the same as cash. You’ll either have to make a winning wager with the match play funds, OR, play through the match play bonus a number of times before you can claim winnings. It’s worth noting, however, that in most cases, match play through requirements - if they are required - are much lower than free chip or multiplier style bonuses. As always, make sure you read the terms and conditions of the bonus BEFORE you play, so that there is no confusion when it comes time to cash out.
Overall, the biggest trump card for the casino is that most players won’t actually read the rules of the bonus before depositing, and as a result, will be put in a situation where it’s nearly impossible to win money.
Therefore, if you’re serious about winning money, take a moment to read you casino’s rules. Also, if possible, DON’T TAKE THE BONUS. Think of the last time you had a winning session at a land based casino. Did the casino offer you free cash at the door? Probably not. As a result, just play with the cash you’ve deposited so that no matter what happens, there will be no restrictions on what you can cash out and when.
Good Luck!