West Virginia is one of the latest states to pass legislation in favor of online poker. However, before you run to your desktop to start playing, you’ll want to keep reading. While online poker has become legal here, online poker providers have yet to go all-in with the state.
We do expect that West Virginia will soon join the likes of Michigan, New Jersey, and others as a popular online poker destination. If you are familiar with online poker, you probably know that when new providers come along, so do new bonuses. On this page, we’ll go over the kinds of bonuses you can expect when online poker does take off in West Virginia.
Best Online Poker Bonuses In West Virginia
Is online poker legal in West Virginia?
Yes. Following the passage of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act, online poker became legal in West Virginia in early 2019. Although online poker is now legal in the state, online poker operators have yet to extend their platforms to the Mountain State. This is due, in large part, to West Virginia’s small population size in comparison to other online poker states.
Still, online poker will undoubtedly be operational in West Virginia at some point in the future. Many online poker states are pushing for shared liquidity with other jurisdictions. This would allow states to share their player pools across state lines.
Shared liquidity is a great way for operators to bring a low-population state like West Virginia into the fold without fear of low player volume. So if shared liquidity gets approved in the near future, it is likely that we will see online poker operators ready to set up shop in West Virginia.
When online poker does eventually launch in West Virginia, players can expect to find a wide range of bonuses and promotions being offered by the various operators. Below, we will cover some of the most common types of online poker bonuses you’ll find in West Virginia.
Purpose Of An Online Poker Bonus
Online poker bonuses are beneficial to both the poker operator and the player. For the operator, it is a way to attract new customers and keep existing ones happy. For the player, it is a way to earn some extra cash while playing online poker.
Most online poker bonuses are issued in the form of bonus money. This is free money that is added to your account, which you can use to play online poker. In some cases, you may also receive other benefits, such as tournament tickets or loyalty points.
These bonuses can pay off in the long run and contribute toward making you a winning player. As far as many online poker rooms are concerned, winning players are usually returning players. And returning players are great for business.
So if you are looking for a way to increase your bankroll and give yourself a better chance of winning, online poker bonuses are definitely worth taking advantage of.
Types Of Online Poker Bonuses
There are many different types of online poker bonuses that are offered by providers. When online poker operators spread to West Virginia, players can expect to find similar bonuses to the ones offered in other states. We’ll go over some of the most common kinds of online poker bonuses so you’ll know what to look for when online poker makes its way to the Mountain State.
No Deposit Signup Bonus
No deposit bonuses are a less common type of online poker bonus, but they are definitely among the most sought after. This is a bonus that does not require you to deposit any money into your account to receive it. Instead, you simply need to create an account with the online poker operator, and the bonus will be credited to your account.
No deposit bonuses are usually smaller than other types of bonuses since the player is not risking any of their own money to acquire it. But these bonuses are still a great way to get some free money to play online poker with. If you can find a no deposit bonus, it is absolutely worth taking advantage of.
First Deposit Match Bonus
The first deposit match bonus is the most common type of online poker bonus. This is a bonus that is given to players when they make their first deposit into an online poker account. The size of the bonus will vary from operator to operator, but it is usually a percentage of the deposit amount up to a certain amount. For example, a 100% match bonus of up to $500 means that if you deposit $500, the poker room will give you another $500 in bonus money.
First deposit bonuses give players a great way to start their online poker journey with a larger bankroll. And the best part is that they are typically able to be used right away. This can allow you to play at higher stakes than you might normally be able to play.
Keep in mind, however, that deposit match bonuses usually have wagering requirements associated with them. Wagering requirements are the amount of money you must wager before you can withdraw the bonus money. Depending on the specific bonus and the operator, any winnings resulting from the bonus may also be subject to wagering requirements, so be sure to read the terms and conditions of any deposit match bonus before claiming it.
Tournament Tickets
Poker tournaments require a buy-in to gain entry. The buy-in is the amount of money that goes into the prize pool for the tournament. Online poker operators will sometimes offer tournament tickets as part of a bonus. These tickets can be used to enter poker tournaments that the operator offers.
Tournament tickets are great for players who love to compete in online poker tournaments. They give you the opportunity to play in a tournament without having to pay the full buy-in. This can even allow you to enter tournaments that you might not normally be able to afford.
Tournament tickets typically cannot be withdrawn for cash, but they can certainly save you a great deal of money on tournament entry fees. Tournament tickets might only work for specific tournaments on any given site, so don’t expect them to get you into every single tournament offered by a provider. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of any tournament ticket bonus before claiming it, so you’ll know how to use your tickets.
Loyalty Or Rewards Programs
Some online poker sites have player point systems where you can get rewards, prizes, and other benefits by gaining points. These are usually tiered so that the more points you have, the better perks you’ll receive. This type of bonus rewards players who are loyal to the online poker site.
Loyalty programs are great for players who spend a lot of time playing online poker. The more you play, the more points you’ll earn and the better rewards you’ll be able to get. These rewards can include cash bonuses, tournament tickets, and even free travel. Some programs may have restrictions on how points are earned or what type of rewards can be redeemed so
be sure to check the terms and conditions of any loyalty program before signing up for it.
Rakeback
Rakeback bonuses may be less common than they used to be, but they are still offered by some online poker rooms. And with more and more online poker rooms providing their services, it is possible that some rooms could offer Rakeback in the future to stand out from their competition.
Rakeback is a type of cashback bonus that is given to players based on the amount of rake, or fees, that they have paid. For ring games, the rake is automatically taken out of each pot that is played. For tournaments, the rake is an added fee that is included in the tournament entry price.
The size of the Rakeback will vary from operator to operator but is typically a percentage of the rake paid up to a certain amount. The more you play, the more you contribute to the rake, which means the more you will get from your Rakeback bonus.
Building An Online Poker Bankroll
While luck is an aspect of the game, poker is undoubtedly a game of skill. For long-term play, the most important skill — and often the most overlooked skill — is undoubtedly bankroll management.
The general wisdom is that your bankroll should be at least 20 buy-ins for whatever game limits you typically play. With this method, you will be able to survive multiple bad sessions if the cards don’t fall your way.
This is where online poker bonuses can help tremendously. By using poker bonuses, you can rapidly build up your bankroll and give yourself a cushion to fall back on if luck isn’t on your side. For example, when depositing onto a site with a 100% deposit match bonus, you can effectively double your bankroll right from the start.
Of course, not all poker bonuses are created equal. Some have much more stringent requirements than others. But if you’re careful about choosing the right bonus and meeting the playthrough requirements, you can use poker bonuses to your advantage and build up your bankroll quickly and easily.
Online Poker Bonus Strategy
Online poker bonuses can give an instant boost to your bankroll, but it is still important to employ good strategy, so your bonus funds aren’t squandered. The most important habit is to play at stakes that are within both your budget and your skill set. While poker games have the same rules across various stakes, the style of play and pace of the game can change dramatically from one limit to the next.
This is important to remember; just because bonuses like first deposit match bonuses can double your bankroll, that doesn’t mean you suddenly need to play at twice the stakes you normally do. Instead, use the bonus to continue playing at the stakes you feel comfortable at, and your match bonus will become a buffer that protects you from any unfortunate losses.
When it comes to signup bonuses and deposit bonuses, cash games are the ideal game choice, as they tend to give the most immediate return on your money. Multi-table tournaments can offer gargantuan prizes, but they can be a bit of a gamble since you’re investing a lot of money upfront with no guarantee of winning any prize money back. Sit-and-go tournaments are somewhere in the middle, as they have elements of both cash games and multi-table tournaments.
The important thing is to play at stakes that suit your bankroll and skill set. With a solid bankroll management strategy and a bit of luck, you can use bonuses to your advantage and build up your bankroll steadily. Just be sure to use smart poker strategy, so your bonus funds don’t go to waste.
Cashing Out A Poker Bonus
Like other online casino sites, online poker operators typically have wagering requirements attached to their welcome bonuses. This is especially true for signup bonuses and first deposit bonuses.
Typically, every hand you play will contribute a small percentage toward this requirement. Once you have contributed enough money through gameplay, the wagering requirement will be fulfilled, and your bonus money will be released into your player account, at which point you can withdraw it or use it to play more poker.
Of course, wagering requirements aren’t the only thing to keep in mind when cashing out a poker bonus. Most poker sites also have a minimum withdrawal amount, so you’ll need to make sure you have enough money in your online poker account to meet this requirement before attempting a withdrawal. Once you’re ready to withdraw, it can be done quickly and easily through the online poker site.
When online poker comes to West Virginia, it is likely that the banking options available to other states will be available to West Virginia players. Here is a glimpse of the banking methods we can expect West Virginia online poker sites to have:
- PayPal: The popular virtual wallet can be used to deposit and withdraw from certain online poker providers.
- ACH Transfer: This transfers funds directly from your bank account to your online poker room account after linking your bank account.
- Visa/MasterCard: A very straightforward way to get your money onto your online poker account. Check with your card issuer in advance for any potential fees.
- Discover Card: Like Visa and MasterCard, this is a very simple way to load your online poker account. Be sure to check with your card issuer first for any hidden fees.
- PayNearMe: This is an in-person cash transaction done at retailers such as 7-Eleven and CVS.