Maximum Bet Size

When playing with an active bonus, there is often a limit on how much you can bet per spin or hand (e.g., $5). Time Limits/Expiration

Bonuses are not valid forever. Maximum Cashout

Especially common with no-deposit bonuses and free spins, this rule limits the maximum amount you can win and withdraw from a bonus. Term to Watch For

How It Affects You

Game Weighting/Contribution

Not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Slots usually contribute 100%, while table games like blackjack might only contribute 10% or even 0%. You will have a set amount of time (e.g., 7 days or casino 30 days) to claim the bonus and meet the wagering requirements. Exceeding this can void your bonus and winnings. For example, a $100 max cashout means even if you win $500, you can only keep $100.

Avoid hitting on risky hands like 12-16. You need to be more aggressive to win. This is also the prime time to double down and split to get more money on the table when the dealer is vulnerable. In these situations, you should be more conservative. Soft Hands: casino A “hard hand” is one without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1. When the Dealer is Weak (Upcard 2 through 6): The dealer is more likely to bust. When the Dealer is Strong (Upcard 7 through Ace): The dealer is likely to make a strong hand. You should hit your hard totals of 12-16 until you reach at least 17. You can play soft hands more aggressively because you cannot bust by taking one more card. A “soft hand” contains an Ace that can count as 11 without busting. Learning and applying basic strategy is the single most important thing a Blackjack player can do. For example, you should always hit on a Soft 17 (Ace-6). By playing smart, you can turn a simple card game into a compelling strategic challenge. It won’t make you win every time—luck is still a major factor in the short term—but it will give you the best possible chance to win and will ensure that the casino’s edge over you is as small as possible.

It’s an outlay designed to get a player through the virtual doors, have them try the games, and hopefully, become a long-term, loyal customer. The Purpose of Casino Bonuses

In the fiercely competitive world of online casinos, bonuses and promotions are the principal tools used to attract new players and retain existing ones. To a new player, these offers can seem like free money, but it’s important to understand their true purpose. While these bonuses can provide genuine value to players, they almost always come with terms in the form of wagering requirements and other rules. From the casino’s perspective, a bonus is a marketing cost.

No-Deposit Bonus: A highly sought-after but rarer bonus. It often comes as a “match bonus,” where the casino (visit the following page) matches your first deposit by a certain percentage (e.g., 100% match up to $200). These come with very strict conditions. The casino gives you a small amount of bonus money or free spins just for creating an account, with no deposit required. New Player Offer: This is typically the most generous offer a casino makes. Bonus Spins: These are credits for a specific slot machine. It’s a match bonus on a subsequent deposit, designed to encourage loyalty and casino keep players coming back. It’s designed to entice new customers. Winnings from free spins are usually converted into bonus money with wagering requirements. Loss Rebate: A bonus where the casino returns a percentage of a player’s net losses over a specific period (e.g., 10% cashback on all losses for the week). Reload Bonus: This is similar to a welcome bonus but for existing players. Higher tiers in the program unlock better rewards. You might get 50 free spins on a popular game as part of a welcome package or a weekly promotion. Understanding the Fine Print

The single most important aspect of any casino bonus is the wagering requirement (also known as playthrough or rollover). Players earn points for every dollar wagered, which can then be converted into cash, bonuses, or other perks. It stipulates that you must bet the bonus amount (and sometimes the deposit amount as well) a certain number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn. Loyalty / VIP Programs: These reward consistent play. This helps soften the blow of a losing session. This is the condition that prevents players from simply taking the bonus money and cashing out.

A bonus should be a tool for more entertainment, not a trap. By carefully reading the terms and choosing bonuses with reasonable requirements, players can genuinely enhance their casino experience. A well-informed player is a powerful player.

Action

What It Means

When to Consider It

Hit

Request one more card. Used when your hand total is high (e.g., 17 or more) and hitting is too risky. Used when your hand total is low (e.g., 11 or less) and you are unlikely to bust. Double Down

Double your initial bet, but you only receive one more card. You must place a second bet equal to your first. Split

If you have two cards of the same value (e.g., two 8s), you can create two new hands. Never split 10s or 5s. Always split Aces and 8s. A good option when you have a very weak hand (like 16) and the dealer has a very strong upcard (like a 10 or Ace). This set of decisions is called “Basic Strategy.” It was developed through computer simulations and is typically displayed in a color-coded chart. Stand

End your turn. While memorizing the entire chart can seem daunting, learning a few key rules can dramatically improve your game: Making the Mathematically Correct Play

For every possible combination of your hand casino and the dealer’s upcard, there is one mathematically optimal decision (hit, stand, double, or split) that will result in the highest expected return over the long run. Surrender

(Not always offered) Give up your hand and lose half your bet. A powerful move used when you have a strong starting hand (e.g., a total of 10 or casino 11) and the dealer’s upcard is weak.