If you are a regular visitor to gambling sites, you are most likely familiar with the different types of bonuses and promotions that they offer. Among them, welcome bonuses especially stand out as the most generous and lucrative for players. It is common knowledge that even though these bonuses are presented as a gift, they are designed to give you the impression that you are getting something from the casino, when in fact the casino has a much greater benefit from them. At the end of the day, casinos do not give bonuses out of the goodness of their hearts, but to attract and retain the attention of as many players as possible, who will eventually bring money to the casino.
To avoid confusion, now would be a good time to say that we don’t think that bonuses are a bad thing just because they are designed to benefit the casino. On the contrary, just because the house keeps its edge doesn’t mean that you as a player don’t benefit from bonuses as well. It’s important to keep in mind that these bonuses are not extra money since they are not available to be withdrawn as cash but rather used as casino credit to be able to play more and boost your bankroll.
The point is we don’t want to discourage you from accepting these bonuses but rather educate you on how they can be the most beneficial to you.
Bonuses are an integral part of the gambling experience. As long as you understand the requirements that they come with and know how to utilize them properly you will never again wonder how online casino bonuses work and will be able to significantly improve your gameplay as well as increase your bankroll.
Here are some tips that you need to know before you put that bonus to use:
- Read the wagering requirements
None of us like to bother with the fine print. Just think of how many times you’ve ticked that little box that says that you’ve read the terms and conditions without even taking a peak at them. Now, that may be fine when signing up to Facebook or agreeing to receive spam from that clothing company that you’ve ordered a single hoodie from, but when it comes to our hard-earned money you best believe those terms and conditions are being read.
After all, those are the rules that determine whether and how you can claim your bonus and how you can use it. The fine print could contain outrageous requirements that could seriously hinder your winnings or even prevent you from ever getting them.
Also, make sure to read up on as many of these offers as you can to be able to compare and determine which ones are the most profitable for you.
- Strategize and plan ahead
Playing smart also means utilizing your bonus smart. If you go into it with no game plan and quickly blow through your increased bankroll or free spins it’s the same as if you’ve never gotten a bonus in the first place.
Even if it seems as if you’re playing a simple game of luck like slots, lotteries, or baccarat there are certain strategies that you can implement to boost your chances so make sure to read up on your favorite games before you start playing and practice for free as much as you can.
- Choose the games that have the lower house edge
The house edge is crucial when deciding on the right games to play. Keep in mind that the house is going to keep a percentage of each bet. The lower the edge the higher your chances are in the long run so go for the games that have a lower edge such as blackjack, baccarat, and video poker.
The house plays smart so sometimes the bonuses won’t be available for the types of games that typically have a lower house edge so make sure to do your research and choose a game with the lowest house edge out of all of your options.
- Go for slots with a high RTP and volatility
When it comes to RTP (Return to Player) percentage anything under 90% is a straight robbery. The best slots will give you an RTP of between 95-98%. That is the amount you get to keep for each win. Volatility on the other hand refers to the frequency of the wins. Since most online casinos today, well at least the good ones, use RNG (Random Number Generators) volatility seems to be somewhat of an urban myth when it comes to online slots. But some slots are known to either pay out smaller amounts of cash more frequently or bigger sums rarely. The optimal combination is to choose a slot with low volatility but a high RTP percentage to optimize your bankroll and ensure frequent wins.
- Choose a reputable casino
Sometimes sketchy-looking casinos with questionable ratings on gambling forums will have the most outrageous, eye-catching promotions that will make you think that they might be worth a risk. Well, a little spoiler — they aren’t! If the offer is too good to be true it’s more than likely because it is and if you register and deposit money into these casinos it is questionable if you’ll ever see a dime of your own money ever again let alone some generous bonus. It is often that these small revenue casinos promise bonuses that they cannot possibly cash out and are hiding behind the fine print and loopholes that make you legally powerless over them.
To get the best gambling experience and an adequate bonus you need to do your research and choose a licensed and regulated casino with many good customer reviews and high-quality games.