Video poker is an interesting combination of skill and chance which attracts millions of casino fans with its simplicity and low house advantage. The game is a simplified version of the widely played five-card draw poker. The goal of video poker players is not to beat their opponents’ hands but to complete one of the qualifying winning hands that are listed in the game’s paytable. There is a high demand for video poker due to the fact it is one of the rare casino games where strategic play actually results in the players gaining an edge over the house.
All of these factors have cemented video poker’s status of an absolute requisite in landbased and online casinos alike. However, playing the game online has a number of perks to offer, starting with the increased convenience and flexibility. You can hit the Royal Flush all players are itching for whenever and wherever you like as most online casinos offer the game in mobile as well as in desktop format.
One of the biggest advantages of playing video poker for real money on your desktop computer or portable device is you get to claim generous rewards from the very moment you sign up. One such reward is the so-called No Deposit bonus new players are awarded right after registration. It adds further value to one’s gaming session and presents them with an opportunity to play a few video poker hands in a risk-free manner.
What are No Deposit Bonuses and How to Claim Them?
No deposit bonuses are pretty much what their very name says they are. These promotional offers are extended to new players who open real-money accounts at specific online casinos. Registration is quick and easy to complete as one is only required to fill out a form with some personal information such as their name, birth date, address, email and telephone number. It is important to mention the information one provides in the process of registration needs to be accurate and valid – otherwise the bonus credits will be forfeited and the player will not be eligible to partake in the promotion.
Once players have succeeded in completing their registration, they can opt in for the No Deposit bonus without having to process any payments to their new account whatsoever. There are no strings attached – you are given the bonus funds for free to try the casino operator’s games in a risk-free manner. Newcomers are usually expected to opt in for the bonus incentive by entering a valid promotional code.
Another thing to bear in mind is that there is a predetermined period of time to claim the No Deposit bonus. The time-frame is normally around 48 hours after signing up with a real-money account, but may vary depending on the casino operator one has signed up with. Also, when left unused, the bonus credits are removed from the new player’s account.
The amount of the bonus is typically small as players receive between £5 and £10 in free play, but there are online casinos where it is possible to obtain larger sums as a bonus. The purpose of the No Deposit bonus is to enable newcomers to try out the available games for free, acquaint themselves with the interface and the software, and possibly motivate them to process a deposit later on and continue playing at the casino in future.
The greatest advantage of No Deposit bonus is that inexperienced players have nothing to fear because no risk to their own funds is involved. It also helps players decide whether online gambling is a suitable pastime for them and allows them to test the software the casino is running on without potentially losing any money in the process.
Playthrough on No Deposit Bonuses
One of the main pitfalls in regard to No Deposit bonuses is that many players tend to skip on reading the terms and conditions, appertaining to the promotional offer. It makes sense that when it comes to online casinos there is no such thing as a free lunch and there are certain conditions set forth by gambling operators that players are required to meet.
One of the conditions relates to the qualifying games that can be played with the bonus credits as typically, these are the titles that are in favour of the gambling operators where players have a smaller chance of winning. If one is interested in playing video poker, in particular, they are highly recommended to first check whether or not the No Deposit bonus of their preferred online casino can be used for this type of game.
The other condition concerns the wagering requirements imposed on the profits players generate with the free credits. In most cases, players are expected to wager the amount they have won with the bonus a given number of times before they can request a withdrawal of the winnings.
For example, if a player has accumulated net profits of £20 with their No Deposit bonus and there is a 30x playthrough attached to the offer, this sum will be released from their bonus balance only after the player has wagered at least £600 at the casino using their own money. If a withdrawal is attempted prior to clearing the playthrough, the bonus along with the winnings will be forfeited. Players are granted a given period of time to clear their playthrough and if the wagering requirements are not covered within the designated time-frame, the profits are declared void.
Another thing worth mentioning is that normally the winnings amount you can withdraw is capped at a specific sum. This limit ranges from one online gambling operator to another and is stated in the promotion’s terms and conditions. Any winnings that exceed this amount will be voided once the player requests their withdrawal.
Mobile Video Poker
Play Video Poker on iPhone
Play Video Poker on Android
Playtech Video Poker
Microgaming Video Poker
Best Video Poker Casinos Offering No Deposit Bonuses
When choosing an online casino to register at, video poker fans should first make sure the operator is trustworthy and safe to bet at. Those interested in this particular type of game should also check the online gambling operator’s gaming library to see whether the video poker collection is diverse enough and features their preferred variations of the game.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of online casinos and those who are new to online gambling often experience difficulties in weeding out the reliable operators from the rouges. To aid players in making a decision, we have compiled a list of five renowned online casinos where newcomers are welcomed with No Deposit bonuses upon signing up. Check out the brief overviews below to see which operator suits you the most.
Hippodrome Casino
At Hippodrome Casino, they truly understand the thrill online gaming has to offer as players who register there are enabled to make a pick from over 450 world-class casino games that are courtesy of Microgaming. Those include classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, live-dealer Texas Hold’em, multi-line and progressive slots and of course, video poker. Fans of the game are given a wider choice with over fifteen variations, including all-time favourites like Double Bonus Poker, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and Aces and Eights, to list only some of the options.
Players, who register at Hippodrome Casino will benefit from efficient customer support at all times, fair and secure gaming environment, lots of reliable payment methods to choose from, and a unique rewards scheme which earns them loyalty points each time they play.
Newly registered members of the casino get to claim £10 in free casino credits without processing any deposits. The winnings one is allowed to cash out with this bonus offer are limited to £50 and a 100x playthrough requirement applies before the profits can be cashed out from one’s account.
Paddy Power
Launched in 2004, Paddy Power is one of the biggest online gambling operators in Ireland with an extensive product offering which features virtual and Live Dealer casinos, a sportsbook, a bingo room, and a poker platform. The casino runs on software developed by Playtech and is available in download and flash formats, but betting on the go is also a viable option.
Players will benefit from registering at Paddy Power in more than one way as the casino accepts various dependable payment methods, supports widespread currencies like GBP and EUR, provides excellent customer support, and ensures quick withdrawals at all times. What further boosts Paddy Power’s integrity are its licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
Gaming diversity is yet another strong point of Paddy Power’s as its portfolio features a vast range of slots, card and table games, and over ten video poker variations including classics the likes of Jacks or Better, Pick’em Poker, Tens or Better, Deuces Wild and Aces and Faces. It is possible to enjoy the games in single-hand and multi-hand formats. The ten-line variant of Jacks or Better and Megajacks have huge progressive jackpots.
New customers of the casino are greeted with a £10 No Deposit bonus to test the game in a risk-free manner. Players have 72 hours after registering to claim the bonus and need to comply with a 40x playthrough before they are allowed to cash out their winnings.
32Red
If you are looking for a safe gambling environment, lucrative promotional offers, unprecedented gaming diversity, and secure, timely payments in different currencies, 32Red Casino is the place to go. The online gambling operator has been enjoying an excellent reputation among UK players ever since it first launched its website back in 2002.
The casino supports both desktop and mobile play on portable devices, based on iOS, Android and Windows OS. Players can enjoy over 600 games in instant play without having to install any native casino software on their desktop computers. It is practically irrelevant what one’s individual preferences are as 32Red caters to the needs of all types of players, offering them hundreds of video slots, a nice range of table and card classics, and various live dealer games. The needs of video poker fans are not underestimated, either, since 32Red is home to a nice collection of variations of the game, including the progressive Jackpot Deuces.
The operator rewards new players for signing up with a £10 No Deposit bonus, available immediately after registration. Newcomers can win up to £100 and withdraw their net profits as soon as they clear the 50x wagering requirements attached to the bonus.
888casino
With twenty years worth of experience in the industry, 888casino has earned an enviable reputation of being the premier online gambling destination for millions of players throughout the world. The casino is home to hundreds of premium games, many of which have been created by the brand’s in-house team of software developers. However, some titles in 888casino’s collection are courtesy of renowned software developers like NetEnt, Random Logic, and Amaya.
Players get to choose from an impressive selection of advanced and classic slots, some of which have huge progressive jackpots. These are available alongside various authentic table games such as baccarat, roulette, and blackjack but there is also the option to play against professional dealers in the Live Casino. Video poker fans will not be disappointed, either, since 888casino offers a wealth of variations to choose from, including classics like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, All American Poker, and Joker Wild.
New players are eligible for an amazing No Deposit bonus of up to £888 in free casino credits. Once registered, newcomers need to check their emails and opt in for the promotion where they will be given the opportunity to spin a wheel containing different prizes that start at a minimum of £15. The bonus can be claimed 48 hours after signing up with a real-money account and winnings are capped at £500. Players are required to cover wagering requirements of 30x the bonus amount before they can request a withdrawal of their winnings.
BGO Casino
BGO casino debuted on the online gambling scene in 2012 after receiving licenses by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the UK Gambling Commission. Despite being a newcomer to the industry, the operator quickly succeeded in cementing its position thanks to its time-efficient, fair withdrawals, extensive gaming selection, multiple currencies, generous promotional incentives, and friendly customer support. Players are granted access to their favourite games around the clock and from all locations since BGO supports both desktop and mobile play.
The gambling operator has set up a comprehensive collection of games which attracts the attention of players with outstanding quality, authenticity and intuitive interface. Some of the biggest names in the industry, like NetEnt, Microgaming, and IGT, have contributed to the portfolio, which spans a broad range of video slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker games.
New players truly receive a royal treatment at BGO as they are rewarded for registering with a fantastic £10 No Deposit bonus. The maximum winnings that players can claim from this offer are capped at the amount of £100 and will be released from their bonus balance after they cover a 50x playthrough.