When wagering a bonus at an online casino, some games are better suited for maximizing your chances of meeting the bonus requirements while minimizing risk.
Here's a breakdown of the best types of casino games to wager your bonus on:
1. Slots (Best for 100% Contribution)
Slots are usually the most straightforward choice when clearing a bonus. Most online casinos allow slot games to contribute 100% to wagering requirements, meaning every dollar you bet on slots counts fully towards clearing the bonus.
Best Slot Games for Bonus Wagering:
- Starburst (NetEnt): Known for its low volatility and frequent small wins.
- Book of Dead (Play'n GO): Popular and high RTP (96.21%).
- Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt): Another high RTP slot (96%+) with potential for big wins.
- Mega Moolah (Microgaming): While it's high volatility, it offers the chance for massive jackpots.
Tip: Stick to low- and medium-volatility slots if you want a good balance of consistent wins and an opportunity to clear your bonus slowly. High-volatility slots might clear your bonus faster, but they also come with the risk of burning through your funds quickly.
2. Online Poker (For Advanced Players)
Online poker can be a fantastic game for clearing bonuses, particularly if you're an experienced player. However, poker bonuses usually come with stricter terms, such as playing at a specific site (for example, a poker room or casino that includes poker in its offerings). Some bonuses can only be cleared by accumulating points from playing cash games or tournaments, or through rake.
Best Poker Formats for Clearing Bonuses:
- Cash Games (NL Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha): Poker rooms typically track the rake you generate, and you clear your bonus based on that. Games with more action (higher stakes, more players) often contribute more to clearing a bonus.
- Tournaments: If you're good at tournament play, this is another way to clear bonuses, but you need to consider that tournaments can take longer than cash games.
- Sit & Go's (SNG): These are smaller, faster tournaments that might allow you to accumulate bonus points quicker.
Tip:
Check Bonus Terms: Poker bonuses often have different rules than casino bonuses, such as a "rakeback" system or clearing points that are tied to the amount of rake you contribute. Make sure to check how the bonus clears, whether you need to play a certain number of hands, or how much rake you need to generate.
Freerolls: Some casinos offer freeroll tournaments that allow you to play without risking your bonus money, while still earning points for bonus clearing.
3. Blackjack (Great for Low House Edge)
Blackjack is one of the best games to play if the bonus terms allow it. The house edge is extremely low when you use basic strategy (around 0.5% or lower). Although some casinos limit the contribution of table games toward wagering requirements (sometimes as low as 10% or 20%), blackjack can still be a great choice.
Best Blackjack Variants:
- European Blackjack: Often has slightly better odds than American Blackjack.
- Single Deck Blackjack: A variant with lower house edge compared to multi-deck games.
Tip: Always play perfect basic strategy to minimize the house edge. If your casino bonus terms allow blackjack, it can be a solid way to clear the bonus slowly without burning through your balance too quickly.
4. Video Poker (If Allowed)
Video poker can be another game with a low house edge, especially if you're playing with optimal strategy. The house edge can be as low as 0.5% in games like Jacks or Better. Just like blackjack, video poker may not always be fully eligible for clearing bonuses (some casinos only allow it to contribute partially, like 10% of your wager).
Best Video Poker Games:
- Jacks or Better: The most straightforward and popular video poker variant with optimal strategy.
- Deuces Wild: Higher variance but can offer bigger payouts.
- Bonus Poker: Similar to Jacks or Better but with slightly different payout structures.
Tip: Check the contribution percentage to see how much video poker helps in clearing your bonus. If it's fully eligible, playing video poker with optimal strategy can be a highly efficient way to clear a bonus.
5. Roulette (When Allowed)
Roulette offers relatively good odds compared to some other casino games, especially European Roulette with a single 0. The house edge is lower compared to American Roulette (around 2.7% in European Roulette), but roulette is often restricted or contributes only partially (e.g., 10% or 20%) to bonus wagering.
Best Roulette Variants:
- European Roulette: Lower house edge and simpler gameplay.
- French Roulette: Features the "La Partage" rule, which can lower the house edge to around 1.35%.
Tip: Always check the wagering contribution for roulette before you play. If it contributes less, focus on even-money bets (like red/black, odd/even) for a better chance of consistent outcomes.
6. Baccarat (For Low House Edge)
Baccarat is another low-risk game if you stick to the Player or Banker bets, both of which have low house edges (around 1.06% and 1.24%, respectively). Like blackjack and video poker, baccarat may or may not be fully eligible for bonus wagering depending on the casino's terms.
Tip:
- If baccarat is allowed, always bet on the Banker bet for the lowest house edge.
- Check bonus terms to see if baccarat is fully eligible or only partially eligible for wagering.
7. Craps (For Advanced Players)
Craps offers one of the lowest house edges in the casino, but it's a complex game and not often included in bonus wagering terms. If craps is eligible, it's a great game to play for clearing a bonus, especially if you understand the optimal bets (e.g., Pass Line, Come, etc.).
Tip: Focus on low house-edge bets like Pass Line and Don't Pass, and avoid proposition bets (which have a much higher house edge).
8. Other Games (Scratch Cards, Keno, and Bingo)
These games can be fun but are generally not optimal for clearing bonuses. They often have a high house edge and don't contribute as efficiently to bonus wagering. Scratch cards, keno, and bingo may offer some novelty, but they typically have a low contribution percentage (sometimes as low as 10%).
General Tips for Clearing Bonuses:
- Read the Terms & Conditions: Some casinos restrict certain games (like poker, blackjack, or roulette) from contributing fully to the bonus requirements, so make sure to check the wagering contribution percentages.
- Focus on Low House Edge Games: Games like blackjack, video poker, and baccarat have a low house edge, making them more favorable when clearing bonuses.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Always consider the volatility of the game you're playing. High-volatility games (like slots) might clear bonuses quickly but can lead to rapid losses. Low-volatility games provide a steadier way to clear bonuses.
- Don't Exceed Max Bet Limits: Many bonuses have a max bet limit. Ensure you're not exceeding this limit when playing, as it can invalidate your bonus.
By focusing on the games with low house edges that are fully eligible for bonus wagering (like slots, blackjack, video poker, and poker), you'll maximize your chances of clearing your bonus without losing too much of your balance.
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