By David Mandler
Poker is easier than ever to play, thanks to online poker sites. You can choose from a wide range of legal and safe sites depending on where you live and the laws in your country. If you live in an area that restricts online gambling, you can also play at an offshore Poker site and enjoy a wide range of games and tournaments for real money play.
In order to get started with online poker, you’ll normally need to set up an account and deposit real money into your account. While most online poker sites do require an initial deposit, there are some sites out there that allow you to play without risking any of your own money. These sites may offer a no deposit bonus for first-time players, letting you sign up and start playing poker straight away.
What is a No Deposit Bonus?
No deposit bonuses are offered as an incentive for new players to sign up and start playing. They’re different from standard bonuses in that you don’t need to make a deposit to claim it. Instead, all you have to do is sign up, and the bonus will be added to your account instantly. In some cases, you may need to enter no deposit bonus codes or opt into a bonus to unlock it.
While this bonus is free to unlock, it typically comes with more restrictions than a typical Poker site bonus. This is because the site wants to prevent people from simply signing up and claiming their bonus before withdrawing it. The whole point of the bonus is to encourage players to visit the site and play.
As a result, you’ll normally find that there are wagering requirements involved. With these requirements, you’ll need to complete a set number of wagers with your bonus before you can make a withdrawal. For example, if a site rewards you with a $10 no deposit bonus that has 10x wagering requirements, you’ll need to wager a total of $100 before you can make a withdrawal. There may also be restrictions on the type of games that count towards the wagering, so always read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign up.
Best No Deposit Poker Sites
If you’re looking to get started with online poker, we recommend checking out a no deposit bonus first as this will let you play without risking your own cash. Here are some of the top online poker sites that offer play without first needing to make a deposit.
- 888 Poker – Offers a $20 no deposit bonus to all players when they first join. On top of this, there’s an additional matched deposit bonus worth up to $1500 when you make your first deposit.
- BetMGM Poker – Offers a free $25 bonus to all new players with no need to make a deposit to claim. The player’s first deposit will also be matched 100% up to a maximum of $1000.
- WSOP – Claim $10 free when you first join, and an additional 100% matched deposit bonus worth up to $1000.
How Else Can You Play Free Poker Online?
While no deposit bonuses are great, they can be difficult to find, and some players are put off by the higher wagering requirements. Luckily, there are other ways you can play online poker without risking your own money. Freeroll tournaments are probably the most popular option. These are just like regular tournaments. Only they don’t cost anything to enter.
Most big online Poker sites will offer freeroll tournaments, and players can join them whenever they’re available. In a lot of cases, you can join these tournaments fairly regularly, and they’re an excellent opportunity for beginners to get started.
With a freeroll tournament, you get a set number of chips and have to advance through the tables as normal until you get to the final table. Just like with regular tournaments, there are cash prizes on offer, although the prize money is much less than at a regular tournament.