Look past the headline number
A headline like "100% up to £500" tells you the most you could get, not what you're likely to get. The value of a welcome offer depends almost entirely on its terms, and on whether they fit how much and how often you actually play.
The terms that matter
| Term | What it means | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Release requirements | Poker bonuses are often released in small chunks as you earn points by paying rake | How much rake unlocks each chunk, and whether that's realistic at your stakes |
| Wagering requirements | How many times you must play through bonus money before you can withdraw it | Lower is better. Offers to players in Great Britain have been capped at 10 times since January 2026 |
| Time limits | How long you have to release or use the bonus before it expires | Enough time for your normal play, without needing to play more than you'd like |
| Eligible games | Which games count towards releasing the bonus | That the games you actually play are included |
| Minimum deposit and payment methods | What you must deposit, and how, to qualify | Some payment methods are excluded from offers |
| Maximum withdrawal | A cap on what you can win or withdraw from bonus funds | Rare in poker, but a major restriction where it applies |
| Tickets and tokens | Offers paid as tournament tickets rather than cash | Whether the tickets are for tournaments you'd want to play, and when they expire |
A quick test of any offer
- Work out how much you'd normally play during the offer period.
- Check how much of the bonus that would actually release.
- Value only that amount, not the headline.
- Compare it with the site's ongoing rakeback: a modest welcome offer on a site with good long-term value often beats a big one-off bonus.
Never chase a bonusIf you notice yourself playing longer or depositing more just to release a bonus, stop. No offer is worth playing beyond your limits.
Where to find the terms
Licensed sites must make significant terms clear and easy to find. We show the key terms next to every offer we list. Before you accept, read the full terms on the operator's own site, as they're the ones that apply.