Bonus or no bonus?

fairplay · Oct 6, 2014

Hi,

Hello all, I've been playing for quite some time and have been using bonus offers, but many, many times I cannot get through the large play through. Not using a code never seems to leave me with enough funding to withstand the ups and downs of play. Just wondering what others do and if there are any "tricks" I might learn. Thanks in advance for your insights and experiences.
Thanks,
Fairplay

suzecat · Oct 6, 2014

RTP has changed so much lately that large WR are nigh impossible to complete. So yes, I agree with you completely.

When I do not use bonuses, low rolling is how I start, steadily increasing bet size as BR increases. I tend to play the same game. Luck (if you believe in it) will play a large part in BR management.

I have not had as much success with my strategy during the last year vs. Pre-UIGEA years. RTP has changed significantly IMO. I do not use bonuses so the occasional stroke of luck can be cashed out immediately. Don't chase losses, you will give your BR back every time.

Have fun and good luck. :thumbsup:

KasinoKing · Oct 6, 2014

fairplay said:
Just wondering what others do and if there are any "tricks" I might learn.

The main "trick" is to look carefully at the bonuses and only take the ones which give you the best value. i.e. the ones with lowest WR, highest cash-out limits and which are not Phantom (Sticky).
The next thing is to carefully control how you play and try to build your bankroll up slowly and steadily - not go for one quick big hit.

As you are in the USA your options are severely limited I agree, so it is even more important for you to do some thorough research before deciding where to play and whether to take bonuses or not.

Don't be tempted by big % bonus which are Phantom unless you are only interested in lots of play-time with a tiny chance of a cash-out. To make even 1 penny profit from any Phantom bonus you MUST get an RTP of more than 100% during WR. On slots with an average RTP of around 95-96%, that is a big ask!

BTW, I disagree with suzecat about RTPs - I don't believe any of the major softwares have reduced the payout %s of their games.

Welcome to the forum! :thumbsup:

KK

suzecat · Oct 6, 2014

KasinoKing said:
The main "trick" is to look carefully at the bonuses and only take the ones which give you the best value. i.e. the ones with lowest WR, highest cash-out limits and which are not Phantom (Sticky).
The next thing is to carefully control how you play and try to build your bankroll up slowly and steadily - not go for one quick big hit.

As you are in the USA your options are severely limited I agree, so it is even more important for you to do some thorough research before deciding where to play and whether to take bonuses or not.

Don't be tempted by big % bonus which are Phantom unless you are only interested in lots of play-time with a tiny chance of a cash-out. To make even 1 penny profit from any Phantom bonus you MUST get an RTP of more than 100% during WR. On slots with an average RTP of around 95-96%, that is a big ask!

BTW, I disagree with suzecat about RTPs - I don't believe any of the major softwares have reduced the payout %s of their games.

Welcome to the forum!
KK

LOL, KK how many US-facing casinos do you play?

paul7388 · Oct 6, 2014

I am not in USA but my thoughts on bonuses are different from most.

When I deposit now I rarely take a bonus at all. So much hassle depositing and checking from never ending list of games added that are not eligible. Then with max bets per spin etc. I find it just too much hassle.

Would rather just deposit and get less play time knowing that if I ever hit a decent win I can withdraw right away and never have to worry if I have broke some crazy term ive never saw before.

fairplay · Oct 8, 2014

Thank you!

Big thank you to those who wrote back and gave their ideas and opinions. Going slow and starting small is great advice. Using a bonus (especially when playing in the USA) really puts the player behind the 8 ball. It is really great to be able to communicate with others who love to play and know what they are talking about. Thank you all!
Fairplay

rshkrn · Oct 8, 2014

I prefer no bonus usually unless it's like a good 100% match with a small WR.....

miso · Oct 8, 2014

I always take any bonus above 50%. Never take a bonus when I deposit € 100 or more.

I know this unfortunately does not concern US players, but my favourite casinos are operated by EveryMatrix or Betsson Group,
so literally every time I want to play there is some 50+ % bonus in one of my accounts. Reasons WR doesn't concern me are
that I know all the rules at my casinos and I am in for the fun, so if I hit big, it means more playtime.
I would have kept playing even without a bonus.

Marit · Oct 8, 2014

Generally speaking if I get a bonus I make sure 1. the wagering is only on the bonus money, not bonus and deposit and 2. the wagering is no more than 35x.

It's still not easy to play it through, but there's a chance and it can be done.

Its all about reading the terms and conditions carefully really. US casinos are the worst for giving decent bonuses.

I like the Leo Vegas bonus - you can withdraw your cash even if you haven't play through the bonus, but you lose the bonus. Guts is also nice because the free spins have no wagering!

KasinoKing · Oct 8, 2014

suzecat said:
LOL, KK how many US-facing casinos do you play?

Well I've played at pretty much all of the ones I list on the USA page of my website at one time or another: Certainly all of the Rivals, most of the RTGs and NuWorks ones, Slotland & Winaday, the WGS ones and many of the other brands too... so yeah - quite a lot! :cool:

KK

petro · Oct 8, 2014

I always take the bonuses if they are good. If not I just don't deposit.
But there are a couple of exceptions.

1. If it's a special occasion.

2. If I really feel like playing something different.

Googobucs · Oct 8, 2014

I never take a bonus on RTG or WGS. It's hard to get a good hit on these games so when I do win I want to be able to cash it out.

I always take one on RIVAL. I pick and choose which one to take depending on my mood. I like to 100% no max cash out the most but occasionally take others. These games hit the bonuses more frequently for smaller amounts so you have a chance to make WR and slowly build a bank.

In general, I never take any bonus less than 100% unless the WR is 10X or less.

LaurieJim · Oct 8, 2014

Bonuses have good points and bad and as it has been posted countless times on C/M , most likely one of the most asked questions of my 8 years on here.

If your wanting that extra playtime and more bang for the buck and the bonus is reasonable , go for it , just make sure to read the terms and even sometimes the hidden ones, never play with a bonus on a deposit if there is NO MAX CASHOUT , this is futile and you are best just to play on a straight deposit.

I have used good bonuses in the past and had enjoyable playtime and was able to cashout , this is not always the case, Please just again read all the terms on each one and use good judgment, if it sounds to damned good , well read them terms more closely and call C/S and ask them to explain , that is what they are paid to do

Laurie

petro · Oct 8, 2014

GGW Laurie said:
...never play with a bonus on a deposit if there is NO MAX CASHOUT...

I'm sure you mean to say; "Never play with a bonus on a deposit if there is a MAX CASHOUT."

In any case, even bonuses with a max cashout can be good.

Valhalla · Oct 8, 2014

I always hit big at the start of a bonus and then face the agony of watching my very healthy bankroll disappear faster than my remaining WR

KasinoKing · Oct 9, 2014

Valhalla said:
I always hit big at the start of a bonus and then face the agony of watching my very healthy bankroll disappear faster than my remaining WR

Are you serious?
Is that a fact, or just a "gut feeling"?
It should all be random - where are you playing where this happens regularly?

KK

Valhalla · Oct 9, 2014

KasinoKing said:
Are you serious?
Is that a fact, or just a "gut feeling"?
It should all be random - where are you playing where this happens regularly?

KK

I'll rephrase: It happens so many times (I mainly play at 32Red lately)

But I'm a sucker for high variance KK. I'll carry on playing games like I.R, BdBA, Deck the Halls, Jurassic Park (you get the idea).
Low variance games bore me to tears.

In fairness I've cashed out a few times lately after meeting WR. But my last 3 cashouts have all been exactly my deposit back.

brianmon · Oct 9, 2014

Valhalla said:
I always hit big at the start of a bonus and then face the agony of watching my very healthy bankroll disappear faster than my remaining WR

Same here. Although it's more a case of; IF I get any big hits, it's always at the start of the WR and never EVER towards the end of completing the WR

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