Here at CaptainGambling, we were founded to give people the best advice possible about online gambling in the United States. We also give you advice on
how to win poker games
while you have fun. We understand that online gambling is new in America so you may not be that familiar with it. Our staff wants to help you out so that you can enjoy yourself and have a good chance of winning.
We have looked at all the online gambling sites and are constantly looking at more as they emerge. That gives us the ability to provide you with clear, honest advice about where to bet to take advantage of the best offers around. It would take you hours of your own time to find out this information on your own. We give it to you in just a couple of minutes. That saves you time.
In this article we are going to look at some of the best bonuses you can claim when you want to play poker. These bonus offers tend to be very different than what you would find in a brick and mortar casino so it's a good idea to pay attention and learn exactly what's out there.
Poker Bonus 2025
There are a lot of different types of poker promotions out there, including a
poker no deposit bonus. You have to pick the one that's right for you. Once you do so you can then use our
online poker tips
to increase your chances of making a win.
When evaluating the bonus offers you have to be honest with yourself. Are you someone with high poker skills and a lot of time on your hands? If so you will want to try out tournaments that give out high prizes to the winner.
If on the other hand, you are a new or casual player you'll just want to take advantage of offers that give you bonus money upfront and let you play without risking much of your own money. Either strategy is fine. It's just not a good idea for a casual player to waste money on tournaments. And experienced players are probably fine betting.
Whichever you choose your goal should be having fun, burn off stress and get yourself relaxed. Remember poker is a game and meant to be enjoyable.
The main difference between playing poker online versus in real life is that you will have no way to read the players' tells. It's a much more technical game online but that can be a boon to many players.
I easy to understand why online Poker has popularized in recent years
Whether you play on your computer or mobile is your choice
As we noted above there are many different types of bonuses ranging from tournament winnings to
no deposit bonus offers.
What is best for you might not be right for someone else. So pick wisely and you'll be better off.
Selecting the right type of bonus will make your experience much better and help you to have a good time. We have your back and will explain each type of poker promotion so you have a clear understanding of it and know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
Poker Promotion #1 – The Tournament
This is one of the best types of poker promotions for people who have played a lot of poker in the real world. The house sets up a tournament. Each person has a buy-in amount. They then keep playing poker until only one person is left.
These promotions are usually tied to Texas Hold 'Em. They are intense and each player is playing as hard as they can. Yes, luck does come into it but at the end of the day, skill tends to win out.
The top prize can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Often people who come in second or third place will also win some money. That makes this poker promotion great for people who understand cards and have the focus it takes to win.
It's not so great for people just starting to figure out the game. They will probably lose out early and lose their money. That said if you are a mid-level poker player they can be a great way to hone your skills and become a better player.
Poker Promotion #2 – Leader Boards
This is similar to a tournament type of playing, but instead of everyone playing together, people play separately. Each time you get a win you earn points. Those points are added to the board. While you play you can check the leader board and see where you stand. As you keep winning you'll move up the leader board. When you lose you'll move down.
The leader boards are set to end on a specific date and time. When they do the top players will all receive prizes. It can be a few thousand for the top player on the leaderboards right on down to free bonus cash for 10th place.
Because this is not a tournament, you don't have to buy in to play. Instead, just place bets like you normally would and see how you do.
Poker Promotion #3 – The No Deposit Bonus
This bonus offer is clearly designed to get
new players to try an online
gambling site. All you have to do is register to take advantage of it. Then under the terms of the poker promotion the site will deposit bonus money into your account. You don't have to deposit any money at all to claim this poker bonus offer.
At that point, all you have to do is select your poker match and you can then bet with that bonus money. It's a good way to see how the casino works in real life without wasting any of your own money.
This type of poker sign up bonus will require you to play through your money multiple times before you can withdraw it. But since it's the house's money that probably won't worry you too much.
Poker Promotion #4 – Matching Funds
Matching funds are an interesting poker promotion. And it is exactly how it is described. You make a deposit and the casino gives you the same amount of money in matching funds.
This can have a limit as low as $100 and as high as $1,000. The important thing to know is that it is free money you can gamble with on the poker tables.
As with no deposit bonuses, there is usually a certain number of times you'll have to play your bonus money before you can withdraw it. Pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the poker promotion to find out just how many times you'll have to play it through.
Having bonus money at your disposal makes it much easier to have money on hand to bluff or to call someone you think is bluffing. And once again since the money belongs to the house you don't have to worry about putting your own cash at risk.
That gives you a sort of freedom to experiment around with different types of bets that you wouldn't normally risk your own money on and see how they turn out.
Poker Promotions #5 – VIP Games
When you join an online poker site and start playing you will start to rack up points in the VIP arena. Eventually, if you keep at it you will reach VIP status. Sometimes there are several tiers of VIP eligibility.
When you become a VIP you will get access to special rooms and exclusive poker games. These games often have higher betting limits. They can also have special prizes for betting and winning. Not all of these games are just for experienced players. Many of them will have tables for new players.
That means you don't have to feel intimidated when you go into a VIP room. That said some of the games will have higher maximum betting levels which would mean you'll have to enter with a decent bankroll.
Still, the additional prizes awarded at these games make them a great poker bonus for people who want to play. And if you've invested enough into the online casino to reach VIP status you probably have enough money to be able to deal with the higher stakes that come into play.
Pro Tip: Pay Attention To The Terms And Conditions Of Online Poker Bonuses
It should go without saying but we'd like to remind you anyway. Any online poker bonus is going to come with some terms and conditions. And they will not be as prominently presented as you might like. It's important that you read the fine print on any poker promotion so you know exactly what you are being offered and what limitations are being put on you when you play. That way you won't end up surprised by anything down the line. These terms and conditions are reasonable, but you still need to know about them before you sign up for any poker promotion. Remember, our operator guides will walk you through all the T&Cs and well as determining whether an operator is legit or not. Take a look at our "Is
Pala casino legit?", "Is
PokerStars casino safe?", and "Is
Sugar House casino scam?" for good examples.
Our Top Five Online Casinos To Bet At
Each of the sites we are recommending is good in different ways. What is the perfect casino for one type of player would be a nightmare for another type of player. What you need to do is check out our reviews below and see what they are offering and figure out if it is right for you.
1. DraftKings Casino
DraftKing Live Casino
DraftKing Mobile Experience
The first thing you need to know about DraftKings Casino's welcome offer is its flexibility. It changes frequently and manages to entice players with something out of the box. Again, its no deposit bonus allows players to receive without needing to fund their bet accounts. There are also attractive bonus spins which are reserved for slot games. Besides the no-deposit bonus, players also enjoy rewards from funding their betting account. When you make a deposit on your DraftKings wallet, it adds a specific percentage to your account balance, depending on stated terms and conditions.
DraftKings Casino features a wide array of slots, table games, live casino, and poker across different states in the US. It offers up to seven different poker varieties, with the Five Play and Ten Play being the most common. Another example is its Game King Video Poker.
Additionally, DraftKings Casino is mobile optimized, with apps for iOS and Android. These platforms cover DFS, sportsbook, and casino. The site is impressive, and players can be sure to have a seamless gaming journey. Again, DraftKings has a proper help section, which you can find at the bottom of the page. They also have live support, which is available during business hours.
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DraftKings Sport Highlights
- Massive sports bonus
- Competitive betting odds
- Good live betting platform
2. FanDuel
FanDuel Sportbook
Play a variety of games at FanDuel
Fanduel offers one of the biggest bonuses in the US iGaming industry with multiple bonus bets. Firstly, new players earn a free Bet $5- get $150 in bonus bets after three days of making the $5 wager. There's also a “No Sweat First Bonus” that offers new players a full refund on their first wager as high as $1000. Other bonuses to explore are its odds boosts, Same-game parlay profit boost, $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket , and Refer a friend.
FanDuel offers more value than a regular online sportsbook. Its players have access to some of the best casino games, including slots, table games, and a world-class live dealer platform. Also, there are several options depending on the type of poker you fancy, Examples are Five Play Draw Poker, live dealer Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, or the classic Game King Video Poker.
Its design and user interface are impeccable and easy to navigate. Again, its homepage offers several distinct features that make it stand out from other sports betting apps. You’ll be glad to find its live betting platform, tab for upcoming sports events, and popular Same-Game Parlays tab. It gets better; FanDuel’s live chat is very effective and active. Other customer support features are its email support and FAQ page.
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FanDuel Sportsbook Highlights
- Coverage for 16+ sports
- User-friendly site
- Competitive odds
3. Bet fair
Play live games at Betfair casino
Betfair Poker casino
If you’re new to iGaming or an existing gambling punter and you want amazing bonus offers, Betfair is a great option. One of its popular bonus offers is its referral bonus, which gives players $10 per referral upon fulfilling specific conditions. You’ll be glad to know that Betfair has many of the best games from the biggest casino operators. It offers poker, blackjack, roulette and several others. For Poker, players can find 'Play Money' tables in the 'Play Money' tab within 'Cash Games' and 'New Player Zone'.
Except you are entirely new to the online gaming industry in the US, you most likely have seen Betfair’s web design. It is well-organised and easy to navigate, thereby improving players’ overall gaming experience. Again, its customer support feature is impressive. There is first an FAQ page where they answer potentially common questions that players may have. Now, where an FAQ seems ineffective, players can text a Betfair representative directly to air out their concerns.
4. BetMGM
BetMGM online casino
Enjoy BetMGM diverse games
BetMGM is one of the best online casinos for US players that offers enticing bonuses. It offers sweet bonus codes, free spins, no-deposit bonus, and a match on players’ first deposit of up to $1000. Also, it offers a fair and enticing wagering, one-time for no-deposit bonuses and a 15 times wagering rate for 100% bonus in 14 days.
To maintain its reputation as the site with one of the widest and most diverse game libraries, BetMGM is in partnership with Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Blueprint, and Evolution, birthing hundreds of games. The games are easy to access and swift when playing. Amongst its many game types are its poker games that can be played for real money. It has up to 18 poker games, some of which are live versions.
BetMGM is user-friendly on mobile, with a dedicated site and an optimized app. It ensures security through VeriSign encryption and geolocation services and offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. BetMGM stands out as a top online casino, emphasizing user experience and safety.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
BetMGM Sportsbook Highlights
- Excellent range of sports markets
- Plenty of betting options
- Impressive odds
5. Caesars Palace Online Casino
Caesars Palace Online Casino Experience
Play assorted games at Caesars Palace Online Casino
Caesars Palace Casino understands the need to attract new and existing players and has its bonus offerings to show for it. A good example is its exclusive VIP program called Caesars Rewards, where players earn loyalty points whenever they bet real money on the site. It also holds frequent events and promos, like daily $5,000 bonuses, happy hour slots every Tuesday, bonus bet Thursdays, etc.
Caesars Palace Online Casino boasts of a super extensive array of games. There are more than 1,000 titles to play, most of which are powered by 888 software. The brand partners with some top-class software providers, like IGT and Big Time Gaming, providing a good choice depth for slots, table games, progressive jackpots, live games, and poker. Caesars Palace Online Casino serves good video Poker like the Three Card and Four Card Poker, Regal Poker, and Triple Play Draw Poker.
Caesars Palace Casino is optimized for mobile gaming on Android and iOS devices, having a smooth interface and perfectly working games. Similarly, their customer support is impressive, with a live chat button available for immediate assistance. As such, you can inquire about any query and get answers almost immediately. There are also customer service options via telephone and email.
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Caesars Highlights
- User-friendly site and app
- Smooth live betting experience
- Reliable customer support
Playing Poker With Online Apps
Some people like to stay at home and play poker on their desktops and laptops. That's fine. But other people like to play on the go. That's where
online poker apps
come in.
They allow you to play on your own cell phone or another portable device. So if you are waiting in an airport or stuck on a train you can still play and take advantage of their poker bonus offers.
All you have to do is go to the app store for your iOS or Android device, find the app and download it. This will be free and should only take you a few minutes.
The apps tend to play exactly the same as the version for desktops or laptops. Of course, some are better than others. Here is our list of the best apps to download and take advantage of poker promotions if you want to be able to play from home.
Why Trust CaptainGambling?
CaptainGambling is an independent company. We are not involved with any of the poker sites we review. We can objectively look at the poker bonus offers they provide and give you our honest opinion.
We have built up a level of trust with our members which is our bond. When we recommend a site or an app you can trust us. If we were to violate that bond then we would lose our valuable reputation in the online gambling industry. And that's just not worth it to us.
You can look at CaptainGambling with a level of trust you just don't find at other sites. We are here for you.
🤔What Is The Difference Between A No Deposit Bonus And Matching Funds?
A no deposit bonus is exactly what it sounds like. You don't have to put money into the site in order to claim your no deposit money. Just register and it will appear in your account. Matching funds are different. To claim them you have to first make a deposit and then you'll see the funds appear in your account. Both offer free money but just in different ways. Take a look at our
SugarHouse promo code
or
888 casino free spins
reviews for a good example of a matching funds bonus.
🎁Is A No Deposit Bonus For Real?
Yes. No deposit bonuses do not require you to put money into the site yourself. There will be conditions on the bonus money you receive. Most likely you'll have to play the money through multiple times before you can claim it. Those rules are in place so people don't just grab the no deposit money from every casino they sign up for and just run away with it.
🏆How Do Tournaments Work?
Every tournament has its own rules. However, people have to buy into the tournament. Then they are given a set number of chips and start playing. If they win they advance in the tournament. If they lose their money they are out. The last player standing at the end wins the big prize. Smaller prizes may be available for players who come in second and third.
💎If I'm A New Player Can I Enter A Tournament?
Yes you can. And some newer players like to enter tournaments. It gives them the chance to observe better players in action and they can learn from them. That said if you are a newer poker player you shouldn't join a tournament expecting to win. Instead, take it as an opportunity to hone your skills and get better at playing the game. If that seems like a lot play a bit more poker and put off entering a tournament until you feel you can handle it.
🃏Can I Play Online Poker At Several Sites At Once?
Yes. You can sign up for multiple casinos and try your luck at several different places. This gives you the chance to claim multiple poker bonus offers and see what the level of play is at multiple online casinos. That way you can see which online poker site works best for you and find your online home as a poker player. You can also try out different types of bonus offers and see which one works best for you.
📱Is There A Difference Between Playing Poker Online With My Laptop Versus My App?
No. Not on any of the online poker places that we recommend. Whether you play in the privacy of your own home or while on the go you should get the same experience. The one thing that may be different is if you are moving around a lot with your mobile device your signal may cut in and out. But if you are playing at an airport with a strong WiFi signal that should not be an issue for you at all.
