Poker Site Offers
All the leading poker sites carry welcome bonus offers. These are typically sums of free cash, which are offered to players who make their very first deposit (or their first couple of deposits) at poker domains. The typical welcome bonus from an online poker site will follow a fairly standard format. New poker sites may have a lot to offer in terms of exciting features and bonuses, but due to an understandable lack of time in the industry, there may be a limited range of games to choose from. As a new site grows, this should change, but when a company is just starting out, the smaller number of games can hold it back in online poker reviews.
- Free Poker Money Deposit Offers If you are willing to make a small deposit with one of our poker room partners, we can give you even more free poker money. This really is your best value for very little risk as the bonus awarded by the poker room typically doubles your initial deposit. Step 1 Select Room.
- Find a poker site with an excellent deposit bonus, cash offer, guaranteed tournaments and freerolls. There’s still a lot of value, but your earning potential is capped and usually short lived. It’s also going to vary a lot from player to player, when you consider the amount of.
Table Of Contents
Are you looking for the best poker bonus to play online for real money and challenge other players in games of Texas hold'em and Omaha poker? You are not alone.
This page doesn't list all the online poker bonuses under the sun. We are PUMPED to announce that this new collection of poker offers features only the best poker bonuses to play online and access the most exciting real money games out there.
Continue reading to discover:
- and lots more
In other words, if you are looking for the best online poker bonuses in 2020, you'll love this page.
Top Online Poker Bonuses in 2020
Bonus Spotlight
GG Poker
Right now, GG Poker provides a bonus of up to $100 in tickets for World Series of Poker satellite events. You can deposit at least $20 to get up to $100 in tickets. The site offers a 100% match bonus on your first deposit.
The tickets will be released to your account in a few days. If you have $100 in free tickets, $60 will be released over the first six days on your site. You can earn the remaining $40 in your bonus by completing challenges in the All-in or Fold games on the GG Poker website.
These include points where you have to win enough matches, or you have to attain certain things while you are playing. The site will provide details on what you need to do to meet these bonus requirements.
PartyPoker
PartyPoker is one of the oldest online poker sites around. When you register to play here, you get a first deposit bonus where if you add $10 to your account, you get $30 in free play tickets.
The bonus is good for most of the games on the site. You should ensure you use your free tickets soon, as they will expire seven days from the issue. But there are also plenty of games available where you can wager enough funds to cover everything.
The tickets are good for use on SPINS games on the site. The SPINS games are three-handed sit and go tournaments where a wheel will decide the value of the prize pool before the game starts.
You could potentially compete for a first prize total of $1 million depending on how much you spend on your ticket and whether the wheel lands on the 12,000x multiplier.
PokerStars
The next of the online poker bonuses on the list comes from PokerStars. You can choose one of two bonuses when you sign up for the website.
First, you can deposit $20 or more to get $30 in free play tickets. The offer is a traditional welcome bonus for tickets that you can use on many games.
Second, you can choose a different reward that offers a welcome bonus worth 100% of your first three deposits for the first sixty days after you sign up.
You can get up to $600 in free money through this offer. This second choice is for people who are looking to stick around for a while.
888Poker
You can get up to $400 in free money for use at 888Poker through the first deposit bonus available on the site.
Deposit $10 or more with the promo code WELCOME100 to get a 100% bonus of up to $400. The free money is good for use at freeroll games and poker tournaments.
But you will have to play through the poker games to release the extra funds. You will get $10 from your welcome bonus every time you collect 100 bonus points.
You will get two points for every dollar you spend on poker tournament fees and for every dollar you contribute to a poker ring game. You'll also get a point for every $10 you wager on casino games at the site, provided you are playing these games through your poker account.
Unibet Poker
Unibet offers an online casino and sportsbook to go alongside its poker room. But the first deposit bonus for the poker room is different from the other rewards available on the site.
Unlike most other first deposit poker bonuses, Unibet provides a no-deposit bonus. You'll get $20 in free money when you create an account. You may be limited as to what games you can play with your free money bonus and how much you can win at a time.
You can then get a welcome bonus of up to $200 depending on how much you deposit. You'll get a 100% match bonus on your first deposit.
You can then use your funds to enter various outstanding tournaments. You can enter events for the chance to qualify for the Unibet Open, among other competitions.
Bet365 Poker
The welcome offer at Bet365 Poker is 100% bonus of up to $100 on your first deposit. You must provide at least $10 for your first deposit to utilize this offer. You may also require a bonus code, but that code will vary based on your country or state, if you play from the United States.
You would also have to play through the bonus funds at least fifteen times before you can withdraw anything.
What Is a Poker Bonus?
Online poker bonuses are available through many websites that offer poker games. A poker bonus is a reward given to people who sign up to play games on a specific website. Poker bonuses exist to encourage people to play games and showcase the many things a poker rooms offers. Players can use these funds for various assets.
Types of Poker Bonuses
You can enjoy one of many quality poker deposit bonuses while you play online. These are offers that should be noted when you're looking for a great deal.
There are various rules surrounding what is open, so you should be aware of what you might find when looking for something of value. You should also review the rules for whatever you wish to collect, as every site has unique terms to note.
Match Bonus
A match bonus is the most common offer you'll find through an online poker room. Deposit bonuses work in that you will deposit a specific amount of money on a site.
You will then get bonus money based on the site's rules. For instance, you could deposit $50 and get a 100% match bonus, thus giving you $100 for play.
You will have to note a few things surrounding a match bonus. These rules should be open on the site you visit, but it does help to see what is open:
- How much do you have to deposit before you can qualify for the deposit bonus?
- Is this good for a first deposit bonus, or can it work for multiple deposits?
- What is the match rate? The rate is 100% in most cases, but it may be lower.
The match offer is a reliable choice, plus it gives you a great way to start playing anywhere. Check your website of interest to see what match bonuses are available where you wish to play.
No Deposit Bonus
It is one of the best online poker bonus options you can find. This is different from other online poker bonuses in that you don't have to place a deposit on a site to collect the pffer.
You will register for an account and then collect the free money for poker play. You don't have to spend any money on the no deposit bonus. You should review a few points surrounding how you can use your no deposit bonus:
- How much will you get out of your bonus? You might only get a few dollars.
- What poker games can you participate in with your bonus? There may be limits on what games you can play.
- How much can you win? You could be subject to a limit on how much you can win with your no deposit bonus money.
- Do you have to play through the bonus a few times? For example, you might get a $10 bonus with a 30x playthrough rate. That means you'd have to play through the value 30 times, meaning you have to bet $300 to withdraw anything.
You might also have to provide some payment information to the site to confirm your identity. You would not be charged anything when you do this and you collect your no deposit reward. But the data will be saved, so you can complete a real money deposit in moments when the time comes.
Tournament Tickets
A tournament ticket may be offered among first deposit poker bonuses. A ticket is a voucher that you can use to join a tournament. There are many rules to note for a ticket, including:
- The value of the ticket
- The type of tournament you can enter
- The number of tickets you can get, or how many entries you'll have for play
The rules for these tournaments will vary by each site. It is possible that you could win a great deal of money in a tournament, although this is all based on your skills and how well things can work.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses occur after the first deposit. You will collect your money off of a deposit you utilize to add more money to your account.
The offer is for people who stick around on a site and enjoy playing here, plus it encourages loyalty.
Reload bonuses aren't as substantial as first deposit poker bonuses. Whereas a first deposit bonus would entail a 100% match, a reload bonus might be worth 50 or 75%.
There might also be a limit over how much money you could collect. You might get up to $50 on a reload bonus instead of $100 or so. But a reload bonus will give you a great opportunity to play with more money, especially if you are satisfied with the website.
VIP Bonus
You can qualify for a VIP bonus if you stick around a website long enough and earn reward points. The offer can be the best online poker bonus for any player, what with it often having better terms than many welcome deposit bonuses.
You would earn a VIP bonus based on one of these factors:
- You might need to wager enough money in poker matches to qualify for the reward.
- The value of your reward might be higher if you spend more money on the site.
- People who complete more deposits on the site may also qualify for these extras.
You have to review the VIP bonus rules on your site when seeing what the rules are and that you have an idea of what you can do to qualify for them. Most places will automatically place you in the VIP club, but you might have to put in the effort depending on what you wish to utilize.
Referral Bonus
You can also utilize a referral bonus through some websites. A referral bonus works with a few steps:
- You will send a link to someone encouraging that person to sign up for a poker room.
- The person will sign up for an account through your link.
- The new member will deposit money and play on the site.
- You will collect a reward based on how much the player deposits and how much that person spends.
The terms for collecting a referral bonus vary, as your friend would have to deposit enough funds and play through them before you can collect anything. The total you will gather from the bonus will also vary by offer. The website can provide details on what you'll get from your work.
What Are the Playthrough Requirements and Why They Are Important
The best online poker bonus may include some playthrough requirements. These are rules where you have to play through your bonus funds enough times before you can withdraw the money.
These rules apply to ensure people who sign up and deposit funds aren't going to take out the free money right away.
The playthrough rule might entail going through the bonus value a few times. The total can vary by site.
Are Poker Bonuses Good or Not?
Poker bonuses are great for how they provide players with the opportunity to try out different poker sites. These deposit poker bonuses and other offers can help new players get started in enjoying online poker.
These bonuses also make the online poker industry more competitive. Every website will aim to produce the best online poker bonus, giving more rewards to new members. There's no limit as to what these virtual rooms can offer when producing the best bonuses around.
FAQs
You can use your bonus funds to play real money, although that depends on how much you have. You should review the value of your bonus and how much it would cost to enter a game.
The best online poker bonus is the one that fits your desire. You should look at how great a poker bonus is based on:
- how much you have to deposit
- what you will get in return
- the terms and conditions
- and any other rules that apply.
Anything that provides entries to specific tournaments is always worthwhile.
Not all poker rooms require bonus codes for when you're claiming a bonus. You can automatically get a bonus off of most places. But others might require a bonus code that you can enter when funding your account.
You can review a virtual poker website to see what bonus codes are necessary for an offer. You could also look around third-party sites to see what bonus codes are open, but there's no guarantee that the information you will find is accurate.
You can only collect a signup bonus once. You will have to sign up for the site and provide your contact info and payment data. You cannot establish a second account with the website to collect more bonus money.
You could still get a bonus from referring people to the site. Reload bonuses are also available in some places.
The playthrough rules are terms associated with wagering enough money on poker games before you can collect your bonus. You must play through the bonus enough times before it can become real money that you can withdraw later.
Gaming websites have these requirements to ensure people don't abuse the free money offers at these places.
You can contact the help desk at the poker website you are on if you did not receive your bonus. Explain to the help desk what happened and provide information on your account and the deposit method.
Most cases where people are missing their bonuses come from people forgetting to complete their deposits as necessary.
As more states legalize online gambling, more sites offering the opportunity to play online poker for real money are opening to Americans. That leaves more Americans with a question or two about how online poker works, where to play, and, most importantly, if it’s legal in their state.
We’ll be covering all the above and more right here on TechNightOwl. Let’s start with the basics.
What States in the US Offer Online Poker for Real Money?
At present, there are only six states in the US where online poker platforms are legal: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. Let’s run through how that came to be.
US Online Poker Laws
The Wire Act is a US Federal Law established in 1961 prohibiting wire communications in betting transactions. The main objective of this law was to reduce the possibility of gambling and poker games becoming a part of organized crime.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) took effect in 2006 when it became illegal for banks to transact with unlicensed online gambling platforms. The banks — not the players — became liable for any violation cited or observed.
These regulations shut down online poker platforms in the United States. However, both the Wire Act and UIGEA created gray areas in the law and were subject to misinterpretation. In 2012, it was one of those grey areas that led a New York federal judge to rule that the Wire Act of 1961 didn’t apply to poker because it was a game of skill rather than chance.
New Jersey Online Poker Platforms
New Jersey was one of the first states in the United States to legalize online poker for real money. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed the legislation in 2013, less than a year after the 2012 ruling.
The requirements for any individual to play on a licensed online poker platform include:
- Age: Players must be 21 years or older
- Location: New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada entered into a compact that went live in 2018 that allows interstate gambling. You must be physically present in one of these states to play online poker for real money in New Jersey.
- Verification: Players who sign up for online poker platforms in New Jersey must undergo a thorough verification process to determine if they are qualified to play.
Because New Jersey is one of the earliest states to legalize online gambling platforms, this state offers more poker rooms than most other states, including:
- 888poker
- Borgata
- Pala Poker
- PartyPoker
- PokerStars
- playMGM Poker
Players in New Jersey can also play on the Nevada-based poker site, WSOP.com, the primary interstate poker provider.
Delaware Online Poker Platforms
Shortly after New Jersey, Delaware also legalized online poker sites in 2013. Like NJ, players must be 21 years of age or older. Delaware also requires geo-tracking software to confirm your location.
The state currently has three online poker sites where you can play for real money:
- Dover Downs
- Delaware Park
- Harrington Raceway
All the above run on 888Poker software. Like in New Jersey, players in Delaware can also play on WSOP.com.
Nevada Online Poker Platforms
Nevada legalized online poker for real money right around the same time as Delaware and soon became a hub for interstate games, being the home-state of WSOP.com.
Currently, the only other poker platform in the state is Real Gaming. Ultimate Poker was previously also available in Nevada, but the platform failed in 2014.
State player requirements are similar to those in other states, with the minimum player age being 21 and geolocation mandatory, but they also add a few additional provisions:
- Player fund transfer is not permitted.
- You may only have one account on each poker platform.
Pennsylvania Online Poker Platforms
Pennsylvania was the fourth state in the United States to legalize online poker for real money with legislation taking effect in 2017.
Since Pennsylvania has one of the largest populations in the United States of over 13 million residents, online poker for real money established a massive player base. PokerStars is currently the only active online poker gambling platform in the state.
Pennsylvania has yet to join the interstate gambling compact, and so WSOP.com is not available, but efforts are in the works to change that. Numerous other land-based casinos have also been granted licenses to operate and may open platforms soon, including:
- Harrahs Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino
- Parx Casino
- Rivers Philadelphia
- Valley Forge Casino
- Wind Creek Casino
Beyond restricting players to in-state games, the player requirements in Pennsylvania are the same as other states. You must be over 21 and allow geo-tracking software.
Michigan and West Virginia Online Poker Platforms
Michigan and West Virginia both legalized online poker for real money in 2019. However, neither state has any licensed operating poker platforms as of June 2020.
The Stars Group, operator of PokerStars, has already taken steps to obtain a license in Michigan and is a strong contender to be the first option open in the state. West Virginia has yet to finalize its licensing regulations.
What Other States in the US Have Plans to Offer Online Poker for Real Money?
The following states have plans to legalize online gambling platforms. Some even have ongoing legislative reviews about the pros and cons of legalizing online gambling platforms.
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Illinois
The Best Online Poker Platforms for Real Money
Now that you know which states you can play in and all the poker platforms available in those states, your next question is likely which should you play on—assuming you have more than one option. The best online poker platforms in the US include:
- WSOP.com
- 888Poker
- PokerStars
Let’s take a quick look at each.
WSOP.com
As mentioned, WSOP.com is an interstate provider serving New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada. They are operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment, a name you likely recognize if you’re familiar with the hotel gaming and gambling industry.
WSOP.com is the largest real-money online poker platform in the United States and is backed by the World Series of Poker. They offer fixed- and pot-limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud, all with Hi/Lo options. There are roughly 50 tournaments daily, some with cash prizes as high as $50,000.
The site regularly offers bonus promotions and also has a generous loyalty point program. You’ll earn points online towards the Action Club Rewards Program for every game you play—win or lose. Points can be redeemed for cash.
888Poker
The second-largest online real-money poker platform, 888Poker is only available in New Jersey and Delaware. Delaware’s platform is accessed via three racinos (listed above) rather than the 888Poker site directly. Nevada’s WSOP.com also runs on 888Poker software, but the two aren’t interconnected.
888Poker only offers Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but they do have a range of tournament and match offers, including SNAP, Blast, and Classic poker options. They have a mobile app but are also well-known for their instant-match, no-download games.
The site has many generous bonus promotions and is among the only online casinos left with a true no-deposit bonus. You’ll get $1 to spend anywhere on the site, 14 free 50-cent entries, and a pending $80 bonus. You unlocked the $80 by earning points for the platform’s rewards program (a cash-back offering similar to WSOP.com’s rewards). For every 100 points you earn, you unlock $10. You can earn those points using the initial free credits granted to you.
PokerStars
PokerStars is Pennsylvania’s only real-money online poker platform. They also operate in New Jersey and are likely to be available in Michigan soon. The site offers Limit Hold ’em, Omaha, and Seven-card stud, as well as 2-7 Triple Draw, HORSE, and Razz, though as these games are less popular, it may be harder to find a table.
Poker Site Offers Websites
There are multiple daily tournament options, including big-ticket hourly Sunday games with massive cash prizes. For instance, the Sunday Special held at 6 pm EST has a $200 buy-in and a $45,000 guaranteed pot.
Like WSOP.com and 888Poker, the site does have a rewards program. You can earn Star Coins, which can be used to purchase merchandise or free play tickets. They also match your first deposit 100% up to $600.
How to Choose the Best Online Poker Game for Real Money
With so many online poker games on the internet, it is wise, especially when the stakes involve real money, to choose the right gambling platform. Here are some factors we considered when choosing the best real-money online poker sites in the US.
Player Experience: An online gambling website or app’s aesthetic, functionality, and ease of navigation should all be excellent. Ideally, you want to choose a site that doesn’t make you jump through hoops to get to your desired page.
Game Selection: While not all players prefer to play multiple poker game types, we prefer sites that give you the option to do so.
Safety: Safety should be the utmost priority for any gambling, betting, or poker site. All the platforms we recommend are credible, have all the necessary licenses to operate in the US, and comply with all the regulations imposed by the states they operate in.
Bonuses: Some online poker sites provide attractive promotional and sign-up bonuses that can benefit players and give them a competitive advantage over their opponents.
What Is Global Poker?
For those who can’t visit states where it is legal to play poker online for real money, Global Poker is an option. Global Poker functions similarly to any online gambling platform. The catch is instead of dealing directly with real money, there are sweepstakes, and players get a virtual currency which they can “cash in” via PayPal. Thanks to this unique twist, it does not fall into the category of illicit activity, and anyone with an internet connection can access it anywhere within the United States.
How Much Does It Cost to Play Online Poker for Real Money?
The buy-in cost for online poker games ranges dramatically, but the average is relatively affordable. Around 50% of online poker games have an entry fee of $8 to $10. Players can even join online poker tables with buy-ins starting at $0.01 to $0.02 and $1 to $2. There are high-stakes games as well, with buy-ins closer to $100 to $200.
What Are the Payment Options for Online Poker?
There are a variety of ways to deposit money to play poker online for real money. Here is a breakdown of online banks that online gambling platforms you can trust:
Essential factors to consider when making online money transactions, especially on online gambling platforms, include:
Privacy and Security: All licensed online gambling sites are required to encrypt your information and are held to strict privacy and security regulations. Dealing with an unlicensed poker site can put you at risk for identity theft and loss of funds. Never enter your financial information on a site that asks for banking details such as pin or password.
Support: Credible online gambling platforms have 24/7 live chat support to address any questions, concerns, or issues about your financial transactions. If a site doesn’t have readily accessible contact information, that’s a red flag. Avoid making deposits on these sites.
Play Poker Online for Real Money
There are many advantages to playing online poker for real money. Because online games generally have significantly lower buy-ins, you have more control over your bets. Wait times are also shorter because there are endless virtual tables.
The periodic bonus offers you can grab to gain a competitive edge over other players are just icing on the cake—but remember to read the terms and conditions.
Poker Site Offers Sign Up
You can play poker online for real money in the comfort of your home, which makes it a great way to pass the time—no more stuffy dress codes in brick-and-mortar casinos. You can play games in your pajamas if you like!
Poker Site Offers Promotions
Of course, getting the most out of these benefits requires playing on a legal, reputable real-money poker platform—and that’s just what you’ll find reviewed on TechNightOwl! We regularly update our content to reflect the latest online gambling,betting, and poker regulations, as well as the best real-money poker platforms in the US.