Clearing a Poker Bonus Efficiently
- Published 2005-05-11
- Author Pokeraddict
Every online poker player knows the importance of bonuses. Virtually every poker room offers a bonus from time to time, especially a first deposit bonus. The key to making an extra $10,000+ a year is to know where and when these bonuses are offered and the requirements to fulfill them. Most poker rooms base this on a raked hand requirement. Knowing what games to play and which rooms offer the best bonus structure can be a key to working these off with the least effort and the fewest hands required. One of the biggest keys to clearing poker bonuses is the ability to play short handed.
I will start with the most popular poker room Party Poker and skins. Most of the first deposit bonuses on this network require either five or seven raked hands per $1 of bonus. The reload bonuses will be between five to ten hands per $1, although seven seems to be the norm. This bonus is released in one lump sum when the raked hand requirement is met. The fastest way to work off with the least risk is to play $1/$2 6 max, especially if you are a limit player. Not only do you play more hands per hour at $1/$2 6 max but the players at this limit are usually very bad. These bad players will create bigger pots, often bigger average pots than games at the 10 handed tables will create. There is not a full limit game, no matter what the limit, that will clear this bonus faster. You will have a higher variance at the 6 max tables then at the full tables but if you an average or above short handed player you will profit much higher in the long run from this game. Not only are the players worse but the pots are on average higher creating more raked hands. Seven Card Stud high/low and Omaha high/low $1/$2 6 max will also work this bonus off quickly but there are fewer hands an hour at these non holdem games.
Poker Stars is one of the few rooms that do not offer a first deposit bonus, however they do offer reload bonuses every month or two. PokerStars has a point system that they use to figure your bonus clearing requirement. The requirement is six points per $1 of bonus. This bonus is released in one lump sum when the raked hand requirement is met. A $2/$4 game needs to be raked $1, which is the minimum rake, lower limits then this will create raked hands that do not qualify. When clearing a Poker Stars bonus the key is to play $2/$4 or $3/$6 non holdem, preferably high/low Stud or high/low Omaha. These split pot games will create more raked hands then Texas Hold'em, especially since the hold'em games are generally very tight at Poker Stars. Also keep in mind that if you play $1/$2 you will have to generate a $.75 rake to clear one point which is a $15 pot, and at $.50/$1 or below you will need a $.50 rake to clear a point which is a $10 pot. These levels of play will generate many hands that are raked but will not qualify towards the requirement costing you money, so avoid these limits unless your bankroll is not large enough to play $2/$4 or higher. Poker Stars offers 6 max tables at every limit $1/$2 or above and these are generally much better games.
Paradise Poker has very few reloads but does have a first time deposit. This bonus is worked off at ten raked hands per $1 of bonus and is worked off $10 at a time. A raked hand must be $.25 or higher. Paradise offers 5 max tables instead of the typical 6 max but the games are just as good and generally have good quality games at this limit. Paradise however does not offer 6 max tables in Omaha until the $3/$6 limit.
Absolute Poker has the same bonus structure as Paradise Poker. You must play ten raked hands per $1 of bonus to clear it and it is released $10 at a time. Absolute is offers not only a very generous first time deposit, but they offer many reloads, often several a week. A raked hand must be $.25 or higher. The best games are to be found at 6 max $1/$2 or Omaha high/low. These are the best tables to work off the bonus but games up to $3/$6 are also good games to work off the bonus.
Ultimate Bet has a different bonus structure. Low limit players find this to be a tough bonus to clear. If you play $3/$6 or above it works almost like a 10 times bonus. What makes the Ultimate Bet bonus different is that it can be worked off gradually. As soon as you get up from the table the amount of bonus you earned is automatically credited to your account. Most low limit players feel the Ultimate Bet deposit is only to be worked off as a last resort when no other bonuses or rake back is available as it is one of the hardest of the big rooms to clear.
These are just a few examples of bonus clearing, virtually all poker rooms offer a first deposit bonus, and often reload bonus opportunities. A player must find these bonuses and weigh their value. Always read the terms and conditions as sometimes poker rooms will have requirements that do not use raked hands but instead use a point system tied to money contributed to the pot and some even require you to see the flop, however the rooms in the above example do not require you to see the flop to be counted, you only need to be dealt in. Be sure to visit forums to find the latest reload offers and take full advantage, players that do not are missing out on at least $10,000 a year in free money.