There are pros and cons when it comes to online poker bonuses.

Pros: Free Money

Yes. It is true. At the very core of an online poker bonus is free money. Whether the bonus is a straight-laced cash bonus, like a $50 referral bonus, or a $25 sign up bonus, the sponsoring site is depositing this free money into your account. There is no denying the fact the money is there. How can this not be a good thing?

Pros: Availability

Online poker bonuses are readily available. They are offered by most online poker rooms as an enticing incentive to join the site. Since the poker market is so competitive, it bodes well for the availability of online poker bonuses. The more sites there are, the more bonuses there are. Also, since there is competition, it means some of the sites will offer bigger and better bonuses. In addition, many sites offer special bonus codes. Bonus codes can lead to additional bonuses that are usually not offered by a site. It is the readily availability of the online poker bonus that gives an experienced poker player the leverage to bounce around from site to site, collecting and cashing bonuses along the way.

Cons: Hard To Claim

The biggest obstacle in claiming an online poker bonus is the fine print. Every site is different, therefore it is essential to read the terms and conditions of each site to determine how hard or easy it will be to claim the bonus. If a site has an easy to claim bonus schedule, then that's good. Unfortunately, most sites have complicated and complex bonus schedules that often make the bonus not seem so much like a bonus, but rather a trap to get the player to commit a lot of time and money to a particular site. A complicated bonus schedule does not bode well for the enticing appeal of a bonus. If a player feels like they have to run a marathon just for a little snack, they may not bother to partake in the chase.

Cons: Experience Needed

Sometimes, if a bonus is complicated to claim, it is essential for the poker player to have rake game experience or they may wind up losing a lot of money trying to claim a bonus. If a bonus is not immediately awarded, and is based on the amount played at the site, the bonus itself may be moot since the average player may not last long enough to claim it. To be sure, a player needs a lot of experience when it comes to managing, navigating and profiting in the intricate complex world of online poker bonuses.

How Big Can a Poker Bonus Get?

There are over a thousand different online casinos, and many of them have poker. Some are better than others, but finding any of them can be hard. Because there are so many, these sites will offer bonuses for sign up, and the amounts and rules on these will vary. They are a great incentive for any new player, and though these are common, the good ones can be hard to find. The question seems to be about the amounts that are out there. Is the large poker bonus a myth, or are these out there just waiting to be discovered? With some searching, the answer becomes clear.

As of the writing of this article, there is a poker site offering a 1000 dollar match sign up bonus. That means if a player deposits 1000 dollars, the site matches that, giving the player 2000 dollars for wagering in any poker game they offer. That is an amazing amount. There are rules that apply however. It is open to new players only, and there are time limits on how it can be used, as well as limits on how long it might be valid. Another site is offering a 600 hundred dollar 150% match bonus. They are out there, but if found, they should be taken advantage of rather quickly as they may be gone the next day.

As for figuring out how big a poker bonus can get, that is something that remains to be seen. There is no telling what a site will do in the future to bring in new customers, or to keep their existing players happy.  This type of large bonus is probably rare, but how rare and how much depends on the state of business and now badly a site needs an influx of new blood. There are times when a very large poker bonus looks appealing, but if the site has reputation problems, a player should think twice before taking advantage. Dealing with a rogue casino usually means winnings won’t be paid, or they may hold winnings for reasons known only to them for however long they want. Most are honest, but it pays to be wise about it.