Online Poker Bonus

Online poker bonus is an integral part of Internet poker. Just a bonus won't make you a winning player, but it can definitely help you along the way. These bonuses are perfect for those who are building a bankroll. The bonus can cover up for mistakes new players commit or just be extra cash on top of the winnings from the game. The most common and popular type of bonus is the sign-up match bonus where a site offers you money for signing up with their site equal to a percentage of the initial deposit.This percentage can be 100 percent or even more with some site promotions. The concept of an online poker bonus has a few pros and cons associated with it.

Pros:                                                                                    1.Financial Benefit
The most obvious upside to an online poker bonus is that it fetches you free money. All you have to do to get it is sign up for the site with the proper code and play on the site, which you would do anyway. If you're a winning player, this increases your expected value. If you are a losing player, it can stop the bleeding and if you're somewhere in between, it can put you over the top.

2. Shopping Around
The online poker bonus is a feature that attracts a player to any site.The online sign-up bonus allows you to test out a new site without investing too much of your own capital. You can play as long as it takes to release the bonus, and if you decide you enjoy playing on that particular site, keep going. If you don't care for it, you can take your bonus money and head elsewhere.
 
3. No Obligation
Collecting a sign-up bonus from one online poker site does not preclude you from collecting another one on a different site. All that is required is that you play the requisite number of hands to clear the bonus into your account. Beyond that, what you do with your online poker time is up to you.

Cons:
1. Clearing Requirements
You will not be able to collect your online poker bonus until you play a certain number of raked hands, usually determined by the size of your bonus. This is a reasonable requirement on the part of the site, however, if you decide you do not like the site right away, you will still be stuck playing on it for awhile in order to clear your bonus. Fortunately, most sites have non-sticky bonuses, which mean that once you meet the requirements you can withdraw all of your bonus money without penalty.

2. Time Requirements
Most sites require you clear your bonus within a given amount of time. If you deplete your bankroll and cannot reload your account in time to play the given number of raked hands, you may lose your bonus. If you play a super tight no limit texas hold’em game, clearing a bonus might take some time.

3. Overconfidence
Resist the temptation to see the bonus chips as house money. The online poker bonus  is real money that belongs to you, and you should treat it with just as much respect as money you earned from your job. Playing recklessly with bonus money because it was so easy to get is just a waste.

In short online poker bonus can be considered as an incentive that is given by a poker room to players.The bonuses come with a code that needs to be entered at the time of depositing, this code is the bonus code. The rate of how fast a bonus will clear is called the clear rate and the expiration time is the time available to the players before the bonus expires. These are some of the terms associated with an online poker bonus.

Action Poker Review

Action Poker is another card room that i was able to review recently . Here are a few excerpts of my action poker review. Action Poker has the basic selection of games available on most online poker sites. In addition this site offers popular Asian Games.

Bonuses and Promotions 10/10
There are a ton of bonuses and promotions so I will briefly list them all in this action poker review. Firstly is the sign-up bonus. If you deposit through Ukash there is a 200% (that's right 200%) bonus up to a massive $1000. This is probably the highest you will find in the area of deposit bonuses on any poker site. Also on offer Get a 200% bonus on your first deposit with Instadebit up to a maximum of $500. The bonus when signing up and depositing with other methods is 100% up to $2,500. This first depositors bonus is again remarkable. Once making your first deposit you get entry into the newbie tournament. This is a $500 newbie freeroll.

Action Poker has a number of promotions currently running. At the time of writing the action poker review, the card room has the following promotions. These will however change so keep this in mind. We will try to keep them updated as they change for this site.

• Win your way to Vancouver winter games through Sit N Go Satellites.
• Gold Diggers Freeroll tournament - With this tournament you use your gold bars that are collected on site to enter, the tournament runs daily, it is a NL Holdem tournament.
• Action Poker has a League of Champions where you can join and play for your chance to win a Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) prize package to one fantastic destination.
• A 10k guaranteed tournament runs weekly - you can satellite your way through for as little as $1+10c or buy direct for $30+$3.
• The 200% bonus up to $1000 by depositing via Ukash is sure to not last as good things never do, so it has been added here also.
• Another great promotion is learn from legends to be a legend. Action offers poker secrets from legendary poker players.
• Action poker offers a 100% reload bonus. It is 100% reload bonuses on MoneyBookers and NETELLER additional deposits.

Other Features 8 / 10
Action Poker has an update news section available to its players at all times. Unlike most sites Action Poker have on offer; games popular in Asia such as Guts Poker, Chinese Poker, Big 2 Poker and Pan (Panguingue), which are not normally found on Western rooms. These were some of the distinct features that amazed me while doing the action poker review.

Deposit Methods 8/10
Action Poker deals in US dollars only, any monies deposited will be automatically converted for you. This poker room has quite a few deposit methods and these cater for the needs of most online gamers. Deposit methods are as follows:

1. Mastercard
2. Visa
3. Click2Pay
4. Instadebit
5. Moneybookers
6. eWalletXpress
7. Ukash
8. EcoCard
9. EntroPay
10. PAYSAFECARD
11. UseMyBank
12. NETELLER
13. Wire Transfer

Customer Service 8/10
Action Poker offers customer service by email and also live chat, 24/7. They do not offer support via telephone. Every query is responded to in a timely manor, big OR small.
Withdrawal Methods 6/ 10
Withdrawing from Action Poker is easy. All moneys withdrawn are converted from US dollars to your local currency. There are a few methods to choose from. In order to make my action poker review simpler, I have listed these methods and approximate time frames to receive your hard earned cash.

1. Withdrawal by Moneybookers (24-48 hours excluding Saturday and Sunday)
2. Withdrawal by eWalletXpress (24-48 hours excluding Saturday and Sunday)
3. Withdrawal by EcoCard (24-48 hours excluding Saturday and Sunday)
4. Withdrawal by NETELLER (24-48 hours excluding Saturday and Sunday)
5. Withdrawal by Wire Transfer (up to 7 business days)

Tournaments and Sit N Go's 6/10
There are satellites through to the weekly 10K guaranteed tournament and also through to the other current site promotions. Free rolls run daily but there are not too many of them.

While doing the action poker review , i found out that tournaments start at as little as 10c+1c through to $240+$24. The primary tournament focus is Texas Hold'em with not many other game variants available. Sit N Go's also start from 10c+1c but are through to $200+$10. Sit N Go's are available in heads up (2 players).

There are not a massive amount of tournaments available on Action Poker, certainly enough to keep most gamers active though. Sit N Go's run constantly so whilst waiting for the bigger tournaments these are always a secondary option.

Ring Games 6/10
Action Pokers ring game area is the most popular on the site. 2, 6 and 10 seater tables are available in the Texas Holdem variant. NL Texas Holdem is offered for 2 to 10 players per table. The stakes are 5c/10c through to $50/$100. Fixed Limit Texas Holdem is offered for 2 to 10 players per table. The stakes are 5c/10c through to $50/$100.

Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi/Lo is offered in 10 seater tables only with blinds of 5c/10c through to $10/$20. Please note that there is minimal traffic in this area of the site. As per my action poker review Omaha does not seem to be very popular on the site.

7 Card Stud hi and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo are available in limits from 50c/$1 through to $10/$20. 8 seater tables are available only. Please note that there is minimal traffic in this area of Action Poker.

Software 7/10
The graphics on Action Poker are very simple. The site is very neat and clean and runs extremely well. The software is stable and easy to use. The main lobby separates tournaments from ring games and each poker variant into its own little section and easy to use. As a result of which my action poker review rates the software at a score of 7.

Game Selection 10/10
Action Poker has a basic poker variant game selection available. In addition they have on offers; games popular in Asia such as Guts Poker, Chinese Poker, Big 2 Poker and Pan (Panguingue), which are not normally found on Western rooms. The entire selection includes:

• Fixed Limit Texas Holdem - from 2 to 10 players - stakes are 5c/10c through to $50/$100. Available in tournaments and Sit N go's.
• NL Texas Holdem - from 2 to 10 players - stakes are 5c/10c through to $50/$100. Available in tournaments and Sit N go's.
• Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi/Lo - offered in 10 seater tables only with blinds of 5c/10c through to $10/$20. There is only a small amount of traffic in this area of Action Poker.
• 7 Card Stud hi and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo - Limits from 50c/$1 through to $10/$20. 8 seater tables available only. Please note that there is minimal traffic in 7 card stud section.
• Guts - available from the minimum stake of 10c through to $10 bets. Available in 10 seater tables.
• Big 2 - 25c bets through to $5 - 4 seat tables available.
• PAN - 25c through to $25. - 7 seat tables available.
• 13 Card - 25c bets through to $10 - 4 seat tables available.

Traffic 7/10
The highlight of the action poker review is the traffic that Action Poker generates. It has around 2000 people minimum playing during non peak and a few hundred tables to join. At peak time the traffic increases. There is always some action for you on this site, regardless of your preference; tournaments or ring games. A traffic meter is displayed in the main lobby.

Overall the action poker review gives me the belief to rate Action Poker as a fast growing card room. A site that is generating ever increasing traffic and has the software to keep the customers content.

Carbon Poker Review

Writing this Carbon Poker review has been a tough task but finally it  is ready for me to post. Carbon Poker is a growing poker room with very detailed and stylish games. The site features a decent amount of traffic with country specific tournaments and promotions.

Bonuses and Promotions 9/10
Carbon poker offers a 100% sign-up bonus up to $600.00. As with all signup bonuses there are terms and conditions associated with it, such as increments being released as a certain amount of points are accumulated.

Carbon Poker offers an additional sign-up bonus for their new players. When you sign up you qualify for 30 days in the new player freerolls, best of all there is no deposit necessary to play these freerolls. If you are a newly depositing customer you will earn free entry into the new depositor freeroll for 14 days.

Carbons VIP program is one of the many other bonuses on offer. The VIP program offers loyal customers a number of bonuses where points can be used including access to the VIP store with exclusive Carbon merchandise, tournament buy-ins and best of all you can exchange points for cash.

Carbon Poker has a leader board promotion for their Sit N Go players. Basically leader board points are awarded to each player based upon their placings in any Sit N Go tournament. There are over $10,000 in cash prizes to be won each month and an extra $2,000 for the Streaker Leader board. 

Carbon Poker also has a leader board promotion for their multi table tournament players Basically  you accumulate leader board points for every multi table tournament played throughout each full month. The top 100 places receive entry into a Leader  Board Grand Final with a major live seat package for the first place winner.

Carbon Poker has a refer a friend program. The more people you refer to carbon the more you earn. You will earn $25 for yourself for each friend referred, plus you and your referred friend will gain free entry for the $2,500.00 refer a friend freeroll. As with all referral programs conditions apply. Your friend must deposit and have accumulated 250 points.

The royal flush promotion is pretty unique. If you are lucky enough to get a royal flush (must include both hole cards) on any real money Texas Holdem ring game and you will receive a bonus of 100 x the big blind. Lastly Carbon Poker has a Bad Beat Jackpot with huge money involved if you are lucky enough to be bad beaten the right way.

Game Selection 10/10 

Carbon poker offers almost all poker variants that the online giants have on their sites. These variants include the following:

• No Limit Texas Holdem - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats available.
• Pot Limit Texas Holdem – 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• Limit Texas Holdem - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• Omaha - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 limits with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• Omaha Hi-Lo - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 limits with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• 7 Card Stud – Pot Limit, 2c/5c/25c through to $2/$4/$25 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $25/$50 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo - Pot Limit, 2c/5c/25c through to $2/$4/$25 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $25/$50 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 5 Card Stud - Pot Limit, 1c/2c/10c through to $1/$2/$10 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $10/$20 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 5 Card Draw – 5c/10c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available. 
• Triple - 5c/10c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available. 
• Badugi  - 2c/4c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available 
• HORSE, HOSE, HO, SHOE, RASH and HAR have limits of 10c/25c through to $50/$100. There are 2 to 9 seats available.

Most of the above games are available to play in tournaments. Check the list of tournaments on Carbon Poker once joining on a regular basis to see what is coming up. All games are available as ring games.

Tournaments and Sit N Go's 7/10
Carbon Poker offer freerolls to the total value of $500 daily. Every 4 hours a $50 freeroll runs for all Carbon Poker players. Carbon Poker also offers freerolls for people who have accumulated enough points. The point based buy-in freerolls include the following tournaments:

    * $1,000 Daily Freeroll
    * $2,000 Saturday Freeroll
    * $10,000 Sunday Freeroll
    * $50,000 Monthly Freeroll

You can find  guaranteed tournaments on Carbon Poker at any time. There are multiple buy-ins,  to suit every online poker enthusiasts, guaranteed tournaments included re-buy, add-on and deep stack.

Carbon Poker also offers shoot out, satellite and bounty tournaments for all bankroll sizes. The satellites available on Carbon mean you can gain entry to some of the worlds biggest live events including the WSOP and Aussie Millions for as little as $2.

Tournaments are available to players with entry fees of 6c through to $550. Poker points can also be used to enter some tournaments. Sit N Go's can be played on Carbon from 60c through to $415.

Ring Games 9/10
Although carbon has a load of ring games, they cater for low to medium stakes. High stakes such as $500/$1000 will not be found on this site. All in all their ring game selection and limits are brilliant and suit most players. No Limit Texas Holdem - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats availabe

• Pot Limit Texas Holdem – 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats available 
• Limit Texas Holdem - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 blinds with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• Omaha - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 limits with 2 to 9 seats available. 
• Omaha Hi-Lo - 2c/ 4c through to $50/$100 limits with 2 to 9 seats available 
• 7 Card Stud – Pot Limit, 2c/5c/25c through to $2/$4/$25 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $25/$50 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo - Pot Limit, 2c/5c/25c through to $2/$4/$25 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $25/$50 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 5 Card Stud - Pot Limit, 1c/2c/10c through to $1/$2/$10 stakes. Limit, 10c/20cthrough to $10/$20 stakes. Both Pot Limit and Limit are available in 8 seats only. 
• 5 Card Draw – 5c/10c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available 
• Triple - 5c/10c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available 
• Badugi  - 2c/4c through to $10/$20 stakes with 5 seat tables available 
• HORSE, HOSE, HO, SHOE, RASH and HAR have limits of 10c/25c through to $50/$100. There are 2 to 9 seats available.

Traffic 7/10
Carbon poker generally has 1000 to 2000+ people online at any given time. As with most sites traffic is the highest at peak times. Carbon poker is US friendly adding to the ever increasing drive of traffic to the poker room.

Customer Service 8/10
Carbon Poker offers support 24/7 through means of email and live chat. Most email responses are completed within 48 hours and live chat responses are instant. One interesting fact that i noticed while doing the Carbon poker review is the fact that it does not offer telephone support.

Software 7/10

Carbon poker is a smooth running poker site with bright and clean graphics. Carbon Pokers lobby is divided up making it very easy to find the games that you want. There is also a filter that helps you find exactly what  you are looking for.

The tables are neat and look quit sophisticated. There are no avators (just a small picture box) but this makes little difference to the above board look of Carbon Poker. The table sounds are realistic.

Carbon gives you the latest news when logging in. In addition to this Carbon has a blog site and community section. In this section are all of the poker rules and how to play as well as poker videos and information on poker pros. Carbon has great emoticon s for expressions.

Deposit Methods 8/10
Carbon Poker offers deposit methods to suit most online gamers, these include Visa , Mastercard,eCheck,  Neteller, Click2Pay, 1-Pay, Moneybookers, EcoCard, eWalletExpress, PIC-Club, ClickandBuy and Entropay

Withdrawal Methods 6/10
The minimum withdrawal amount on carbon poker is $25. Withdrawal methods are few but suit most clientele and include:
   1. Check
   2. eWalletXpress
   3. Pic Club
   4. Click2Pay

Other Features 6/10
Carbon Poker has a brilliant emoticon setup to express your feelings whilst at the table. They are cute, lively and large emotes. In addition Carbon provides all the little extra things such as news, blogs and a community section as mentioned above.

Carbon has a brilliant selection of mixed games, it has a lobby containing easy deposit buttons and other buttons to things such as admin, settings and history. One of the best other features is the player counter showing exactly who you are up against at any given time. Overall for this carbon poker review i give carbon poker a rating of 7.7/10.