Best Way To Use Bonus Bets

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There are a couple of things you can do. First, some places will offer you a re-up bonus after 6 months from making your withdrawal. Secondly you can spread your money at several different books. Eventually, whatever system or betting you use there will be streaks. A bet placed with a Bonus Bet will pay out the winnings minus the bonus bet stake. For example, if you placed a $20 Bonus Bet at odds of $10 your winnings would be $180. This is calculated by multiplying the stake by the odds ($20x $10 = $200) and then subtracting the stake of the bet ($200 - $20 = $180).


Slot machines are the most popular game in any casino. Sure, people bet more on the lottery, and the worldwide sports betting market is huge. But slot machines are the game du jour in most casinos, especially in the United States.

Sadly, slot machines games also offer the worst odds in the casino except maybe for keno. The compounding effect of making hundreds of bets per hour at the slots make these games a bigger moneymaker for the casino than keno.

There’s no science to playing slots. You put your money in, spin the reels, and hope for the best. The only decisions you make are which game to play and how much to bet.

This post covers how much you should bet. You’ll often hear so-called gambling experts say you should always place the maximum bet on slot machines.

This isn’t true for most games.

There Are Two Kinds of Max Bets on Slot Games

You’ll only find one “Max Bet” button on a slot machine game, but some games allow you to adjust the number of paylines you bet on. These are older games. They preceded the guaranteed “243 ways to win” games.

Many of the slot games that use configurable paylines have 20 to 50 paylines. You can turn them all off but one.

The first time I saw one of these games, a friend of mine called them “penny slots.”

The minimum bet was 10 cents per payline and the game had 25 paylines. The minimum bet was, to my way of thinking, $2.50. You could never bet just a penny on that “penny slot” game.

The maximum bet was $1 per payline. This was a sneaky way of getting the players to lay down more money. If you hit “Max Bet” on that machine, it took $25 in credits from your balance.

The More Complicated the Slot Game, the Less Likely You’ll Win


If you don’t understand how much you’re betting when you push a button on a slot game, there’s something wrong with the game. Perhaps the gaming industry just went through a phase of bad design.

But just because a slot machine game has multiple paylines, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll lose money if you bet on fewer paylines. Each bet on each payline is a separate bet, so playing all the paylines at once might make you more likely to see a winner. But you’ll also see more losing spins on the other paylines to compensate (in the long run, anyway).

The game is still programmed to spin as if all the paylines are active. I watched in horror, as that $25 bet spun the reels. I got lucky and the machine paid a low prize. I didn’t lose $25.

You can save money on a slot machine like this in two ways.

  1. You can bet on fewer paylines.
  2. You can lower the size of your bet.

My buddy disabled all the paylines and played $1. We saw a big prize combination come up but it didn’t pay anything. It was on a deactivated payline. There was no pattern on the one active payline.

A Few Older Games Increased Your Probability With Your Bet Size

This kind of game worked in the opposite way. You didn’t disable or enable paylines. The game’s help screen said some features were only enabled for the max bet.

We deduced that meant the theoretical return to player was calculated only for the max bet. And if the game wasn’t allowing you to use all the features with lesser bets then it must have had a lower RTP.

I went back to play some blackjack that night but my friend stayed and played that game. He did okay, not great. He said it made a big difference to play the max bet.

A Basic Slot Game Doesn’t Change the Probabilities


Whether it’s a 3D video slot with monsters running around the screen or just a classic three-reel game, if the slot game doesn’t disable paylines or require max bets, then the probabilities don’t change.

You can bet the minimum or maximum credits, and it won’t affect the outcome of the game. You simply change the number of guaranteed spins you can play.

If you have $300 and a game has a $1 minimum, you can play that game 300 times. If you make a maximum bet of $5 on every spin, then you can only play the game a maximum of 60 times (if you lose every time).

This makes a difference to some players. Other players say you’re not going to lose 60 times in a row, so why worry about that? Bet the max and get the most from your prize.

Most Progressive Slot Games Only Pay on Max Bets

If you’re playing a progressive slot game, then you need to make a maximum bet. I’ve seen a few games with multiple progressive jackpots where you only needed a max bet for the biggest jackpot.

If you have two versions of the same slot game, one is progressive and the other is not, you might as well play the max bet on the progressive version of the game.

Don’t ever play anything less. The progressive jackpot is awarded randomly.

Progressive slot games have a mixed reputation. I’ve talked to people who refuse to play them. They’re convinced the payouts are less on progressive games.

And I know people who almost exclusively play progressive slot games. They would rather win a big prize beyond whatever the machine itself pays. They don’t have to win $1 million if they can come away with a few thousand.

I’ve seen it play out both ways. I’ve never been in a casino where someone won more than $10,000.

The Math Says Max Bets Put You Ahead Faster


Assuming you find a slot machine that pays reasonably well, maybe it’s on a “hot” streak despite its regular RTP, why not play only max bets?

If the maximum payout is 1000x your bet, you’ll make $999 on a $1 bet or $4995 on a $5 bet. That’s a really simple equation, so why doesn’t everyone bet that way?

If you’re down to your last $20, you may decide to “roll it up. ” But what’s the difference between rolling up $20 and rolling up $200?

It comes down to how many spins you can guarantee yourself. This is a psychological game we play with ourselves. The odds of winning on the next spin are the same regardless of how much you bet.

There Is Another Advantage to Not Making Max Bets

If you want to play a lot of different games and you don’t have an unlimited bankroll, then playing minimum bets allows you to spread your time around.

Some players like to test the games when they visit a casino for the first time. They make a decision based on luck.

I remember watching a man approach a slot machine late one night. I was getting ready to leave. He put a dollar in the machine and spun the wheels.

He went down the line of machines until one of them paid. There, he stopped and began playing.

This strategy has no better chance of winning than any other strategy. But if the player feels better playing slots this way, that’s what matters.

Conclusion

Slot game designs have become more polished, but their rules are less confusing. People want to push a button and win some money.

I think caution is only warranted if you’re unfamiliar with the games and you don’t know immediately if they have any special rules. It’s always a good idea to read the pay tables first.

And if you’re a little confused by the game rules, then only play minimum bets until you understand what the game is doing.

There’s no need to rush into max bets if you’re not ready to take that chance.

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Sports betting bonuses are the best way to make the most of your wagers. They help turn even the smallest bets into sizeable payouts, and extra money goes a long way when you’re managing your bankroll.

Online sportsbooks are becoming increasingly competitive, and they’re ramping up their promotions to attract new sports bettors. You should keep an eye out for all types of bonuses, even if this is your first-time wagering.

Keep reading to learn more about the best sports betting bonuses in 2021.

Bonus Offers You Should Look For

Sportsbook bonus offers can differ on each betting site, but there are a few household examples you can find at almost any major provider.

Some of the best sports betting bonuses include:

  • Sign up bonuses
  • Deposit matching
  • Risk-free bets
  • No deposit bonuses
  • Free bets
  • Parlay insurance
  • Boosted odds
  • Reload bonuses

Let’s explore each of these bonuses in detail and highlight some of the best examples from different sportsbooks.

The Different Types of Sports Betting Bonuses and How They Work

There are many bonuses available at multiple different bookmakers. The terms and conditions vary depending on who you’re betting with, but they’re all structured in similar ways, so don’t get caught up in the fine print.

Best Sports Betting Sign Up Offers

Welcome offers are usually the best sportsbook bonus offers, but you can only use them once. They’re more valuable than most ongoing offers, and they’re designed specifically to attract new players.

Here are the best sports betting sign up bonuses:

SportsbookWelcome OfferPromo CodeGet Started
DraftKings$1,000 Deposit BonusWINSign Up
FanDuel$1,000 Risk-Free BetBESTPROMOCODESign Up
PointsBet$1,000 in Risk-Free BetsN/ASign Up

You should opt-in to a welcome offer if you’re looking to sign up with a platform like DraftKings, FanDuel, or PointsBet.

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s a deposit bonus? What’s a risk-free bet?”

We’re about to get into all that and more!

Deposit Match

A deposit match bonus is typically offered for signing up with a sportsbook. This promotion will match a certain portion of your initial deposit and reward you with an equal amount in bonus funds.

Deposit Match Bonus Pros:

  • Opportunity to double your funds
  • You can use the bonus funds on many different wagers

Deposit Match Bonus Cons:

  • Usually has a playthrough requirement – bet a certain amount to collect a bonus dollar

Best Deposit Match Bonus Offer: DraftKings

DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit up to $1000. If your first deposit on DraftKings is $500, you qualify for a bonus credit of up to $100.

You can collect the bonus money by placing more bets with DraftKings. You receive $1 in bonus money for every $25 you wager until you reach the total amount.

This is a strong bonus offer, and you should take advantage of it if you see it at any sportsbook.

Risk-Free Bets

A risk-free bet will cover your wager if you happen to lose. You can find risk-free bet bonuses on sign up or as ongoing promotions.

Risk-Free Bet Pros:

  • Receive bonus funds if your first bet with a sportsbook is unsuccessful
  • Like the name suggests, there’s no risk

Risk-Free Bet Cons:

  • No bonus if your first bet is a winner

Check out our full guide to risk-free bets if you’d like to know more.

Best Risk-Free Bet Offer: FanDuel

Say you sign up with FanDuel and opt-in to their welcome offer. If you make a $500 bet on the Super Bowl and you lose, FanDuel will return your $500 wager in the form of site credit.

The FanDuel welcome offer will cover you up to $1,000 in the event your first deposit loses. Hard to argue with that deal.

No Deposit Bonuses

Some say nothing in life is free, but no deposit bonuses would beg to differ. A no deposit bonus is a free bet that’s usually offered for signing up with a sportsbook.

Just sign up, place your no deposit bonus, and you keep all the winnings subject to terms and conditions.

No Deposit Bonus Pros:

  • As the name suggests, no deposit required to earn the bonus
  • Keep any winnings you made with the bonus

No Deposit Bonus Cons:

  • Hard to find

No deposit bonuses are harder to find than risk-free bets, but you should be jumping for joy if you come across one.

We also have a guide to no deposit bonuses. You can find all the details right here.

Free Bets

Free bets are self-explanatory. Sports betting sites offer a small portion of funds, usually delivered in the form of site credit, that you can use to place bets.

Free Bet Pros:

  • Use free bonus funds to place bets
  • Site credit is easy to use

Free Bet Cons:

  • Smaller amount than a no deposit bonus

How To Use Bonus Bets Tab Nz

You can find free bets as sign up offers or as ongoing promotions. They’re similar to no deposit bonuses but usually smaller in total value.

Best Free Bet Offer: BetMGM

BetMGM has a great free bet promotion. They call it the Monday Money Club, which rewards you with a $10 free bet bonus amount every week.

All you have to do is opt-in to the promotion, spend $50 over the course of a week on BetMGM, and you get $10 in site credit.

Parlay Insurance

Parlay insurance is an excellent bonus if you like making multi-tiered sports bets. It gives you a small refund if you lose your parlay by just one leg.

Parlay Insurance Pros:

  • The ability to make a high risk, high reward bet with more confidence
  • Flexible betting options

Parlay Insurance Cons:

  • Only one leg of the parlay is covered

Best Parlay Insurance Offer: FanDuel

FanDuel has a couple of great parlay insurance promotions.

Parlay InsuranceNumber of LegsMaximum RefundGet Started
Multi-Sport1/5 Legs Insured$25Build Your Parlay
Same Game1/3 Legs Insured$25Build Your Parlay

The multi-sport parlay insurance promotion asks you to build a 5-leg parlay with games from any eligible sport. The same game bonus asks for a 3-leg parlay, but with games from the same sport.

No matter which insurance you choose, your wager is covered up to $25 in the event you lose by just one leg.

Top Bet No Deposit Bonus

It’s a rough feeling when you miss a big payout, but it’s not as bad when you have parlay insurance. See our comprehensive breakdown for more information.

Boosted Odds

If you’re the type of shopper who just can’t resist a good deal, then boosted odds are right up your alley.

Sportsbooks temporarily offer increased betting lines on certain outcomes. This is referred to as an odds boost, boosted odds, or a bet boost.

Boosted odds increase your potential payout, and they’re offered on a variety of different bets, including:

  • Totals and over/under
  • Point spread
  • Moneyline
  • Specific prop bets on a team or player

Boosted odds are designed to entice bettors into wagering on games or propositions they otherwise might not interact with.

Boosted Odds Pros:

  • Increased payouts
  • Multiple wagers available

Boosted Odds Cons:

  • Only available for a limited time

Odds boosts can change daily, so it’s best to check with your preferred sportsbook to see what they have going. Learn more about boosted odds with our comprehensive guide.

Best Odds Boost Offer: FOX Bet

FOX Bet is a great place to start if you’re looking for good bet boosts. They have a “super boost” with even better odds available every Saturday, which is great for wagering on big weekend games.

Reload Bonus

Bets

We mentioned that online sports betting sites are doing everything they can to attract new customers. It turns out they’re even more motivated to keep you around long after you’ve placed your first bet.

Reload Bonus Pros

  • Free additional bonus funds
  • A great reward for being a loyal customer

Reload Bonus Cons:

  • Hard to find

How To Use Bonus Bets

Reload bonuses reward loyal customers for making frequent deposits. Your first deposit with a sportsbook might come with a 100% bonus, and subsequent reload bonuses might offer up to 25% in bonus amounts for adding more to your virtual wallet.

Reload bonuses can be hard to find, but you’ve got nothing to lose if you happen to see one.

Other Terms and Conditions

There’s a few key terms and conditions you should be aware of when it comes to the biggest sports betting bonuses.

Rollover Requirement: The minimum wager amount, or the number of bets you must place before withdrawing a bonus. Also known as a wagering requirement or playthrough requirement.

Odds Requirements: Some bonuses can only be used on betting lines above or below specific odds.

Free Play Bonus: A credit that can be used on a specific sportsbook, as opposed to a cash value.

Cash Bonus: A real money bonus that can be withdrawn from your account. These might be subject to a rollover requirement.

Time Limit: Some bonuses expire after a certain amount of time has elapsed.

Want to Know More? We Have All the Answers

Whether you’re betting on the NFL, NBA, or any other major professional sports, SportsBettingDime.com has you covered!

Visit our Bonus Section to see all the best sports betting bonuses available on the market.