Online poker sites have exploded over the past several years. If you live far from the casinos, and far from anyone who has the desire or the skill to really challenge your poker skills, then you can rest assured that there is always a game going on somewhere, and all you have to do to get in on the action is log on. Not only do online poker sites help you indulge your poker habit whenever you like, most sites also offer poker bonuses to give you a head start on the game.

There are two ways you can get a bonus from an online poker site. First, you can take advantage of new account incentives. Almost every poker site offers a bonus just for becoming a member and depositing money into an account with them. These types of bonuses can range anywhere from 10% of your account opening balance to 30% or more of your opening balance.

If you don’t see the kind of start up incentive bonuses you were hoping for, hold off for now and check back in with the site periodically. Most poker websites offer increased new account bonuses a few times a year. Sit tight, especially if you plan on making a large deposit, and you could score big.

Despite generous new account bonuses, there is usually a cap on how much you can get and when you can get it. For instance, you can’t put $10,000 in an account on a poker website, get a 30% bonus on that amount, and then withdraw your money without ever playing a game. A cap of $100 for bonuses is pretty standard, and usually you have to play a certain number of games, sometimes of a certain type, before you can access that extra cash. After you have completed the requirements to get the bonus, you can then close your account with that site if you so choose. You can have as many open accounts on poker websites as you want, which means you can get a bonus from multiple poker sites.

The second way to get a bonus is through what is called a “reload” bonus. These bonuses are paid when you make a deposit into your poker account. Reload bonuses aren’t always available, and the bonuses are often less than the new account bonuses. If you are planning on making a deposit into your account, it is usually worth holding off until a reload bonus is available. If you want to make a sizable deposit, but there is no reload bonus going when you want to make the deposit, it pays to approach the poker site with which you have an account and ask for a bonus. These sites know there is tons of competition out there, and they want to keep your business, so most will offer a reload bonus on request. Reload bonuses are governed by the same kind of rules new account bonuses are; you must participate in a certain number of games before you can access the bonus, and there is a cap on how much you can receive.

If you’re shopping poker websites looking for the best bonus offer, keep in mind that bigger doesn’t always mean better. Check out the rules and regulations involved with the bonus. Are you comfortable with the games you have to play to access the bonus? How many games do you have to play? Go for the bonus with the least requirements so you can get your hands on your money faster. One last thing to remember; a bonus doesn’t mean you should play like money is no object. Keep your same playing style, and your bonus will actually translate to cash in your pocket.