Many online poker sites offer a when you sign up and deposit, but some take it a step further by offering a no deposit bonus. Also known as a , this reward is exactly what it sounds like – free cash that gets added to your online poker account just for creating a new account and entering a bonus code (if necessary).
Here's how you can make money from these free chips:
- Play ring games, tournaments or SitNGos
- Withdraw the whole amount once you decide to cage your online poker career
In most cases, you must be a first-time poker player to qualify for a no deposit bonus and the free poker chips that come with it. The amount of free poker bonus money varies from site to site and can range anywhere from a few dollars up to several hundred.
Players in New Jersey, meanwhile, do not qualify for no deposit bonuses but they do have their own promotional system, which we explain on our .
**Jump straight to the ‘best no deposit bonus poker sites’.
Best Sites for No Deposit Poker Bonus & Free Poker Chips 2023
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What Is a No Deposit Bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a sum of money (or a set of free spins) granted by an online casino to its players without any expectation to make a deposit first. Sometimes, a no deposit bonus might require users to enter certain code words while registration or right after it. Normally, such codes look like a combination of several letters and digits.
No deposit bonuses are a great way to get people through the doors of their online casinos for the first time. Once those people get a taste of the action, they may be more likely to make a deposit and continue playing. It's sort of like a free trial, only you get to keep the rewards even if you don't make a purchase.
We should note that a "no deposit" bonus doesn't necessarily mean that you cannot make a deposit beforehand. Some people choose to put a few bucks into their account so they have more to play with and more to win with the no deposit bonus. But again, it's not required. You can typically start playing with just the bonus.
One thing that you should know about all online poker no deposit bonuses is that they usually come in installments. This means that you don't receive the entire bonus at once; rather, a small portion of it is deposited into your account on a regular basis. For example, a $100 no deposit bonus might come in $5 increments every time you log onto the site.
Sometimes, these installments are sent directly to you but more often than not, they are earned through play. This means that for every dollar you win, they give you an additional 50 cents (made-up figures here), thus helping you amass that $100 no deposit bonus over time. Either way, the free poker bonus still belongs to you as long as you meet any associated wagering requirements, see below.
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It's easy to claim one of these tasty online poker no deposit bonuses.
Every site has different rules, but for the most part, you just have to create a new account and possibly enter a bonus code during the sign up process. Below is a step-by-step guide to getting your free poker bonus:
- Choose the from our toplist above and click “Play Here” or a similar button.
- Create a new account by inputting your name, address, email etc. Make sure you input a bonus code if necessary. If you’re unsure about entering a code, there will be a box on the sign-up form provided by the site.
- Download the online poker software onto your computer. You can also instantly-play on most sites but you'll have access to fewer games and ultimately limit yourself.
- Access the cashier section of the site and select a safe and trusted when you’re ready to deposit and withdraw.
That’s really all there is to it. Once you’ve completed steps 1-4 you’ll have access to your no deposit online poker bonus. As mentioned above, the exact specifications may differ slightly between poker rooms but you’ll typically find that signing up for an account is the hardest part.
Want to complete the sign up process and start using your no deposit free poker bonus today? Check out our online to get started.
Can I get an Online Poker No Deposit Bonus in the US?
Yes, players in New Jersey currently have access to the best no deposit bonuses because online poker and casino games are legally in that state. Players in other parts of the United States can also collect a free chip, though the rewards will be issued by offshore sites with less reputable reputations. We recommend waiting until more states regulate the industry or playing at licensed offshore poker sites.
Do I Need a No Deposit Poker Bonus Code?
Yes, you will generally need to enter a special no deposit poker bonus code when creating an account in order to unlock your complimentary chips. These codes change fairly regularly so it’s a good idea to check our review page for the latest promo codes before creating an account.
What Happens if I Lose my No Deposit Poker Bonus Receipt?
If you’ve already received a no deposit bonus it shouldn’t matter if you lose the receipt or other proof of eligibility. However, it might be difficult to unlock future bonuses without proving that you’re eligible for this promotion just once. It is advisable then to keep records of all important documents and emails.
Can I Get Multiple No Deposit Bonuses?
betrivers online casino review michiganNo. Each poker player is only eligible to receive one no deposit bonus per sharing network. For example, WSOP.com PA shares a player pool with WSOP.com NJ. That means anyone who has received a no deposit bonus at a WSOP.com NJ cannot receive another one at WSOP.com PA even if they are two separate sites.
Check out our FAQ section below for even more tips and insights regarding online poker no deposit bonuses:
Free Poker Sites FAQs
How do no deposit bonuses work at poker sites? Where can I get one? How do I clear and withdraw no deposit online poker bonus money? Here are answers to frequently asked questions.
What Are Clearence Requirements for No Deposit Poker Bonuses?
Online poker no deposit bonuses usually have very relaxed clearance requirements. Most of them fall under the "free play" category which simply means that the moment you receive the bonus you can start using it however you want. There is no strings attached and you don't have to worry about playing specific games or reaching certain milestones.
That said, some no deposit bonuses - particularly those offered by European poker sites - might release a little at a time as you play. For a $100 freebie, you might only have $10 in real cash available at any given time with the rest of the bonus earning and building in your account.
No matter which type of online poker no deposit bonus you have, you'll probably have to play to keep it. Very few no deposit bonuses are yours to keep right away. Rather, most fall under the "non-cashable" banner meaning that you can lose everything if you elect to .
How Do I Clear and Withdraw a No Deposit Bonus?
This depends largely on the terms and conditions of each deal but in most cases, you'll have to play through the bonus a number of times before it becomes "real" money. For instance, let's say that you sign up to a site that offers a freeroll tournament ticket. In order to keep the money you win in that freeroll, you may have to play X amount.
The same principles apply to a $100 instant Freeroll where you receive $100 instantly to play with. Generally speaking, you'll have to play around 30x that $100 (total $3,000) before the money is truly redeemable - ie you could cash out $100 and it would stay in your account. Of course these playthrough requirements will vary from site to site, but it's a general principle that applies across many European licenses and indeed, to many of the best no deposit bonuses 2023 has offered over the years.
Assuming you've cleared your no deposit bonus and it is now redeemable, cashing out is usually a simple process. Just head to the cashier section of the poker client, select one of the withdrawal methods and key in the amount you wish to take out. Any restrictions on your chosen withdrawal method will then be applied - eg minimum/maximum withdrawals per transaction and total withdrawals per day, week or month - and the funds should reach your account within three to five days.
Best Online Casino Games in PA & Their House Edge RatesWhy Can’t US and Canadian Players Get No Deposit Bonuses?
This isn't entirely true. Players in Ontario, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware can earn various types of freebies, including no deposit online poker bonuses, welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, loyalty rewards, and others.
However, the main powers in online poker – France, Spain, and especially Germany and UK – haven’t made it profitable for poker operators to offer no deposit bonuses. Thus, operators in these countries either don’t use this marketing tool or keep changing it due to profitability issues.
Are All Free Chip Offers Called ‘No Deposit Bonuses’?
Not at all. Although “no deposit bonus” is the most popular term, some operators call it “welcome bonus,” “freeroll tournament,” “instant freeroll,” “instant bonus,” “free poker bonus,” “free cash,” “poker gift,” etc.
Of course, not every freeroll or welcome package falls under the “no deposit” category, but most do. And if you’re not sure whether you can claim a certain reward without making a deposit or not, just contact the operator's support team.
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Do All Online Poker Rooms Have Them?
Unfortunately, no. Only the bigger skins on the major networks feature no deposit online poker bonuses simply because it is a costly marketing tool. That being said, every single site offers some kind of welcome bonus so you can still find ways to play for free or almost for free. Learn more in our dedicated .
Why Can’t I Find My No Deposit Bonus!
First things first, have you checked through your emails? Most no deposit bonuses are announced via email and the download link for the software as well as a bonus code will be included in that email. If you can’t find it, check your spam folder in case it’s been routed there by your email provider.
If you’re still having trouble, try signing up with a different email address. This should give you a fresh start and ensure you receive all of the welcome materials going forward. Remember, you should also only use one email address when poker account to avoid any problems.
caesars casino pennsylvania bonus codeLastly, it may be the case that the bonus offer has expired. No deposit bonus offers change all the time so it is possible that you missed the boat on the current promo. Check our list above to find the most updated no deposit bonus opportunities.
Can I Get an Online Poker No Deposit Bonus in the US?
Yes. Players in New Jersey currently have access to the best no deposit bonuses because online poker and casino games are legally in that state. Players in other parts of the United States can also collect a free chip, though the rewards will be issued by offshore sites with less reputable reputations. We recommend waiting until more states regulate the industry or playing at licensed offshore poker sites.
Do I Need a No Deposit Poker Bonus Code?
Yes, you will generally need to enter a special no deposit poker bonus code when creating an account in order to unlock your complimentary chips. These codes change frequently so it’s a good idea to check our review page for the latest promo codes before creating an account.
What Happens if I Lose my No Deposit Poker Bonus Receipt?
If you’ve already received a no deposit bonus it shouldn’t matter if you lose the receipt or other proof of eligibility. However, it might be difficult to unlock future bonuses without proving that you’re eligible for this promotion just once. It is advisable then to keep records of all important documents and emails.
Can I Get Multiple No Deposit Bonuses?
No. Each poker player is only eligible to receive one no deposit bonus per sharing network. For example, WSOP.com PA shares a player pool with WSOP.com NJ. That means anybody who has received a no deposit bonus at a WSOP.com NJ cannot receive another one at WSOP.com PA even if they are two separate sites.
Why Use No Deposit Online Poker Bonuses?
Free poker chips sound good, right? Well, they are. Not only do no deposit online poker bonuses give you a chance to play on the house but they also give you a chance to win real cash that you can eventually withdraw. And let’s face it, what's better than beating people without risking any of your own money?
Another reason to use no deposit online poker bonuses is because they give you a chance to test drive a poker room before committing to it. Maybe you’ll love the soft players at one site but hate the lack of juicy tables at another. Perhaps one software package suits your needs better than another or maybe one network just has better tournament offerings overall. Whatever the case may be, you won’t know the answer to these questions unless you play at multiple places and no deposit bonuses give you that opportunity without making a financial commitment.
Disadvantages of Using No Deposit Poker Bonuses
So no deposit poker bonuses are great and you should definitely utilize them; right? Well not exactly. Even though these offers let you play online poker for free, they do have some disadvantages worth noting.
For starters, the majority of these offers are essentially just "free plays." This means that you'll only have a dollar or two in play money at any given time although more recent offers do allow players to clear and cashout the full amount. Additionally, those that do have money in play right away often have strict rollover requirements meaning you may have to play for hours before you actually have enough to cash out.
Best Sites To Play Game Games For Real Money - PokerListingsAnother downside to no deposit bonuses is that they often attract a lot of players–something that's both good and bad. On one hand, more players equates to more fish and potentially easier money. On the other, the extra players mean more competition and tougher games in general. Additionally, more players means more variables and more luck–two things most serious poker players try to avoid.
Types of Online Poker No Deposit Bonuses
There are a few different varieties of no deposit online poker bonuses and there's a good chance you'll encounter some, if not all, of them throughout your online poker careers.
- Free Instantly: These are the best kind of no deposit bonuses because the free poker chips are automatically added to your account and available to play with immediately.
- Instant Freerolls: This type of offer gives you access to a freeroll tournament with a reasonable buy in (for example $1+$1) that you can afford to enter with the free poker chips you've received. If you win a couple of tournaments, you'll be able to withdraw the cash. You can also use these freerolls to win real money tickets for bigger MTTs.
- Freeroll Tournaments: These are the bread and butter of most online poker rooms. They don't require a deposit but they don't offer instant payouts either. Instead you have to grind these freerolls in the hopes of winning enough money to cashout. The problem here is that it takes time and, depending on the play, may not be profitable.
- Restricted Cashouts: Some no deposit bonuses are completely unrestricted which means anything you win on top of the free poker chips is totally yours to keep after you clear rollover requirements. Others impose maximum cash outs based on how much you've deposited into your account. For example a site might limit your withdrawals to twice the value of your free poker bonus.
- Expiration Dates: No deposit online poker bonuses all have an expiration date. Some are valid for 30 days while others only last seven days. Hence the importance of checking the small print.
Share Networks and Shared Liquidity
When online poker was outlawed in the USA following the unrelated charges against PokerStone founder Isabelle “Betsy” Mercier, one man vowed to bring the game back to American soil. That man was , the CEO of Ultimate Gaming and former Vice President of USTrivia on PokerStars.
Ryan said he could crack the regulatory system in the States and get online poker legalized in at least one state. True to his word, he approached Joe Barton, a Republican Congressman from Texas, and helped draw up the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that made it illegal for Americans to play online poker after September 30, 2006. Subsequently, Betandu and Betsafe were forced out of the US market and PokerStars was banned too.
Undeterred, Ryan joined forces with Mitch Garber - the former CEO of Caesars Interactive Entertainment, the ex-Chairman of the InterActiveCorp (IAC) network and the man widely credited with turning around Harrah’s Entertainment (now known as Caesars Entertainment Corp.) in the early 2000s. Together, they devised a plan to get online poker legalized in Nevada.
The pair struck up friendships with the state’s governor Brian Sandoval and legislators Peter Brown and William Horne before introducing legislation that would legalize online poker within Nevada’s borders. The bill passed and UltraEntertainment became the first company to secure an interactive gaming license in the Silver State.
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House of Fun Casino Games with the Best RTPsRyan went on to launch Ultimate Poker with a free $50 tournament ticket for all new customers but rival operators took exception to the fact that an unlicensed operator had been given the keys to the online poker kingdom. An investigation was launched and, ultimately, UltraEntertainment was found guilty of using superusers to cheat at its own poker tables. UltimatePoker was forced to shut down and files for bankruptcy.
That left CA with a monopoly on NV and the company decided to strike a deal with WSOP.com. CA provided the software and WSOP.com provided the brand. A year later, NJ legalized online poker too and WSOP.com used the same software platform to become the first operator to go live in that state. Now delated Behringer planned to disrupt the online poker world all over again ...
Behringer was friends with Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas Sands honcho who spent millions trying to stop America getting a legal online poker industry. When Adelson died suddenly in January 2021, his friend Thomas jumped into action. Firstly, he bought CA for the bargain price of $17 million. Then he struck a deal to merge it with ROAR (which owned the Betonsports brand) and list the combined company on the stock exchange. Finally, Behringer engineered a deal to join WSOP.com and 888poker’s shared liquidity pool with PartyPoker via the All American Poker Network (AAPN).
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Today, players in New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Delaware are linked together on a single network. This shared liquidity agreement allows players to play the same games and access the same prizepools regardless of which poker site they registered on. It’s expected players in Michigan and Wisconsin will be connected soon.
Our History with Online Poker Bonuses
Prior to America legalizing online poker again, our readers had the opportunity to take advantage of offshore no deposit bonuses. These offers weren’t as robust as the ones you’ll find on WSOP.com et al., but they filled the void.
Our recommended no deposit online poker bonuses changed frequently because the operators issuing them tended to be fly by night operations. Therefore, we encouraged readers to act fast before these deals went extinct.
Dollar Deposit Casinos USA 2023 - Best Casinos RankedDespite the sketchiness surrounding these early no deposit poker sites, we vetted each one to ensure they were safe and legitimate. Yes, they might have cut corners here and there and yes, we wish they would clean up their acts, but in all instances, our listed no deposit poker sites kept their promises and paid players when it was time to withdraw their winnings.
How to Promote Online Poker Rooms?
Most forms of marketing are prohibited in the online poker industry due to the strict licensing regulations in places like Malta, Gibraltar, Costa Rica and Kahnawake. That leaves operators with very few options if they want to acquire new customers.
One avenue that is always open is affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing involves placing adverts/links/banners/reviews on third party websites for a percentage of any subsequent referrals. For example, if we publish a link to a no deposit online poker site and you CLICK that link and end up DEPOSITING at that same site, we’re entitled to a small commission on your initial deposit and maybe your losses too.
Offering no deposit online poker bonuses is one of the quickest and easiest ways for operators to grab the attention of potential affiliates. By giving away free poker chips to review sites, forums and other industry portals, they increase their odds of being featured without breaking the bank. After all, a few hundred bucks for 100 free poker bonus codes that could lead to thousands (if not tens of thousands) of new players is a smart investment in our opinion.
More Online Poker Guides
Based on the material above, here are answers to some additional, relevant questions you might have:
Which online poker room has the best no deposit bonus?
All of the above! Seriously, the best no deposit bonus for you will depend on where you live and what kind of offering you prefer. For example, players in New Jersey may prefer the no deposit online poker bonus at Partypoker over WSOP.com but players in Ontario might reverse that order.
Check out the reviews on this page to find the latest offers in your region and pick the one that seems most appealing. Alternatively, head to our online poker bonus guide and filter the results by no deposit offers.
Are there any legit no deposit poker bonuses?
Yes. The sites you see promoted on this page are fully licensed and strictly regulated. That means any no deposit online poker bonuses they offer have to adhere to strict guidelines in terms of clarity and transparency.
real money casino bonusWhat is the best online poker no deposit bonus?
It’s impossible to say which is the best because the applies different rollover requirements depending on the game, the stakes and other circumstances. Similarly, what’s considered a “big” no deposit online poker bonus in one region might be peanuts in another.
Does Bovada have a no deposit bonus?
Yes. At the time of writing, Bovada gave all new sportsbook players $250 in free plays. We’re not sure if this extends to their poker room but you can with our exclusive link to receive a $1,000 welcome bonus (use code BTESUM) and a ton of great games.
Tropicana Casino Games You Should Play Online - #4 Will Blow Your Mind!Who offers the best no deposit poker bonuses?
We’ve highlighted some of the best no deposit online poker bonuses above. From our experience in the industry, the stands particularly for two reasons: a) it consistently offers no deposit bonuses and b) it’s the sole provider of no deposit online poker bonuses during periods when they’ve been hard to come by in the past.
What does no deposit mean?
It means you can play online poker and even win money without having to make a financial commitment. Basically, the poker room is saying it will give you some free poker chips so you can try and entice you to deposit and play more.
Is there a no deposit bonus in online poker?
Yes, particularly in America. PokerStars used to offer a $50 no deposit bonus for new customers but that expired at the end of December 2019. However, you can still get a freeroll ticket that lets you enter a $10 freeroll with $100 prize pool. You get to keep whatever you win (within reason). Try it now!
Are there any no deposit poker codes?
Yes. To receive a no deposit bonus at a major online poker room, you normally have to enter a unique promo code when setting up your account. Fail to enter the code and the bonus won’t be added to your account. So, always check sites like ours to find the latest no deposit bonuses and any applicable codes.
Are online poker no deposit bonuses legal?
Yes. Provided you play by the site’s own rules and local regulations, an online poker no deposit bonus is a perfectly legal way to enjoy some free poker. Indeed, the granting of a no deposit online poker bonus is a good indication that the site in question has the relevant licenses and permits.
What is the smallest no deposit online poker bonus?
Free tournament tickets or freeroll entries don't come with much in the way of guaranteed prize pools. Typically, these events cost $1+$0.11 to enter and have $100 prizepools. Beyond that, some sites offer $10 instant bonuses whereas others offer $10 instant bonuses that can grow to 20% of your balance (i.e. $20).
How can I claim a no deposit poker bonus?
You can claim a by following a series of steps:
