Should I take a bonus ?
Should I take a Bonus?
Probably the first thing that you see as a player when visiting any online casino is the big flashy bonus available from the casino. Regardless if you are a veteran casino player or a new player looking for the best casino, you will always ask the following question. Should I take the bonus being offered? There is no right answer and it is usually personal preference but there are a few things I keep in mind when choosing to accept a bonus.
Sign up bonus v.s continuous bonuses
All online casinos offer a sign up bonus. I have yet to see one that doesn’t. But is there a difference between a sign up bonus offer and a bonus for existing players? The answer is 100% yes. Sign up specials are usually accepted by players due to the fact the casino they are trying is new for them and they want the maximum amount of bankroll in order to try everything the casino has to offer. As an example, a new player finds a casino they think they will enjoy but they are not sure if the games will be as enjoyable or “loose” as another casino previously played at. So instead of depositing a bunch of money the player will deposit a small amount ( usually around $50 ) and accept the sign up bonus. This is good practice and the player now has a bankroll of $50 plus the bonus they accepted for a total of usually $200 or so.
Once you ( the player ) have found a suitable casino to play at there will be other bonus offers available to you. Usually a weekly bonus or a monthly bonus depending on your status at the casino in question. These types of bonuses are usually smaller are carry a smaller play through requirement and a greater selection of games that can be played. However if you are continuously offered player bonuses that carry large ( 30 x plus ) play through restriction it may be time to rethink the casino you are playing at.
Bonus Play through & Game Restrictions
One reason many players do not accept a bonus is the play through set out by the casino. The industry standard for a first time deposit bonus is between 15-25 x the deposit and bonus. This means you have to wager your deposit and your bonus a certain amount of times before you can cash out. In addition to the wagering requirement there are usually game restrictions. Most bonuses are for slot players and ask that only slot type games be played during the bonus play. There exceptions to this rule and terms and conditions should be read prior to playing with any bonus.
Cash able bonus v.s Non cash able bonuses
Depending on the casino you visit, some casinos will allow you to cash out your bonus and your winnings. This is popular with Microgaming casinos as they offer players the chance to cash out both with a fair play through of usually 35x D+B. player deposits $100 and receives a 100% bonus. With a bankroll of $200 the player wins $1000 and has met the play through requirement. The player not only receives their winnings of $1000 but also their $100 bonus for a total of $1100 in cash. Not a bad days work for any player.
Final Thought on casino bonuses
I consider myself a veteran casino player and with almost 10 years of playing different casinos under my belt I have a good idea when and when not to accept a bonus. I have decided on my favorite casinos now and although they do offer me bonuses as a good loyal player I usually refuse. I enjoy playing without restrictions such as the ones listed in this article and find that I enjoy my casino experience a whole lot more if I just spin the slot reels and try my luck. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose but that’s why they call it gambling.
