A Beginners Guide?

[Southpaw75]

Noob here - I've been lurking here for the past few days reading all I can digest about online casinos. I'm interested in getting started but I'm a bit confused as to how to clear these bonuses and where to play them at. I think I get wagering requirements but "sticky" bonuses I don't get.
Anyway, my point is...is there a site or link I can go to that will help me understand this all? Kind of like a beginner guide than can help explain all the ins and outs, terminology, pitfalls, etc. etc.

I'd appreciate the help.

[Simmo!]

I wrote up a guide recently - you may get better bonus info from elsewhere but most things are hopefully covered: The Essential Online Casino FAQ by Simmo!

Cheers

Simmo!

[KasinoKing]

Noob here - I've been lurking here for the past few days reading all I can digest about online casinos. I'm interested in getting started but I'm a bit confused as to how to clear these bonuses and where to play them at. I think I get wagering requirements but "sticky" bonuses I don't get.
Anyway, my point is...is there a site or link I can go to that will help me understand this all? Kind of like a beginner guide than can help explain all the ins and outs, terminology, pitfalls, etc. etc.

I'd appreciate the help.

Hmmmm... where could you find such a site...
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

[Southpaw75]

I wrote up a guide recently - you may get better bonus info from elsewhere but most things are hopefully covered: The Essential Online Casino FAQ by Simmo!

Cheers

Simmo!

Wow!! This is great. Thanks much!

[Southpaw75]

Simmo -

You state in your document that you don't sign up at a casino and take the bonus. Can you go into further detail why that is an advantage for you? I would think that getting a $100 bonus on $100 deposit and if you play basic BJ strategy that you would come out ahead (assuming you bet pretty small) after meeting the wagering requirement. Maybe I'm not fulling understanding what it takes to clear these bonuses.

[Simmo!]

Probably better to ask the other posters about bonuses Southpaw. The reason I don't take them is because I really can't be bothered to sit and grind out the wagering requirement. I prefer to just deposit my own money and if I win then I can withdraw without having to worry about if I've met the terms and conditions.

There are so many terms attached these days that it's a minefield and (personally) I have found that I rarely withdraw when playing with a bonus for any number of reasons. Mainly that I can't be arsed to sit around for 2 hours working out what I must do, then another 2 hours trying to cashout $100. I'd rather go to a cashpoint

Oh yes - and bonuses exclude games - so in most instances, you won't be allowed to play BJ or Roulette or any "50/50" games. Basically, casinos are wise to the fact that players come along looking merely to profit from their bonus before disappearing again so they have closed the loopholes by and large. The more rewarding bonuses I find are in "loyalty" bonuses, which come after you have played at one place for a while.

A signup bonus simply doesn't tempt me to even investigate anymore.

[lots0]

Good point about the sign up Bonuses Simmo.

I, like you never worry about the bonuses, I just deposit and then I can withdraw ALL my cash at anytime without a hassle.

The problem is there are so many webmasters promoting sign up bonuses (I know I am guilty) that to the average user it looks like sign up bonuses are are the best thing going and I don't believe that is the case any longer.

[aka23]

Oh yes - and bonuses exclude games - so in most instances, you won't be allowed to play BJ or Roulette or any "50/50" games. Basically, casinos are wise to the fact that players come along looking merely to profit from their bonus before disappearing again so they have closed the loopholes by and large. The more rewarding bonuses I find are in "loyalty" bonuses, which come after you have played at one place for a while.

Excluded games usually fall into one of the following categories:

1. Can bet on both winning and losing outcomes -- roulette, craps, baccarat, etc.
2. Low house edge -- BJ, pontoon, sometimes VP, war, and others

Category 1 is excluded with almost all non-Microgaming Clearplay bonuses. Category 2 may or may not be excluded. You need to read the T&C to be certain.

You can gain quite a lot through sign on bonuses and other promotions. I have gained over $20,000 in the past 4 months, primarily through casino bonuses.

[tesla]

Excluded games usually fall into one of the following categories:

1. Can bet on both winning and losing outcomes -- roulette, craps, baccarat, etc.
2. Low house edge -- BJ, pontoon, sometimes VP, war, and others

Category 1 is excluded with almost all non-Microgaming Clearplay bonuses. Category 2 may or may not be excluded. You need to read the T&C to be certain.

You can gain quite a lot through sign on bonuses and other promotions. I have gained over $20,000 in the past 4 months, primarily through casino bonuses.

yeah but you definitely have had the good side of variance!

[KasinoKing]

Simmo -

You state in your document that you don't sign up at a casino and take the bonus. Can you go into further detail why that is an advantage for you? I would think that getting a $100 bonus on $100 deposit and if you play basic BJ strategy that you would come out ahead (assuming you bet pretty small) after meeting the wagering requirement. Maybe I'm not fulling understanding what it takes to clear these bonuses.

I still do very well off sign-up bonuses without playing a low-risk strategy.
Self control & money management are the keys.
My recommended casino list states which games are / are not allowed in WR at each site. (e.g. BJ).