Online casinos love to offer bonuses, promotions and all kinds of other extra goodies in order to get your attention and get you playing there. While most of those extras are good for the player, you should never assume they are. Think of it this way: You are both the casino’s customer and competitor. The house wants you to be a happy customer, but they also want your money. Promotions and extras are done to satisfy both purposes, so don’t mistake them.
First, you have to look at the deposit bonuses offered by the online casinos. Usually they are good deals, but be sure to read the terms and conditions. If the wagering requirement is too high and you don’t play often, it might be better to play without accepting the bonus. Otherwise, it could take too long for you to be allowed to withdraw your winnings.
Progressive jackpots can be considered extras as well. Those are good if you hit them, but bad if you don’t. Progressive slots have a much higher house edge than a regular slot. They pay out less often than regular games, so you should only play them if you are shooting for the jackpot and don’t care if you lose money. If you want to play a fun game and hopefully come out ahead, a regular online slot would be better.
The most commonly misunderstood extra, though, is the side bet. There are a lot of side bet rule variations available at casinos online. Blackjack has a ton of them. They can be obvious, such as Perfect Pairs Blackjack, or more subtle. Most people don’t think of insurance as a side bet, but it is. That particular side bet has a big house edge and you are better off turning it down. In that case, the casino isn’t offering the deal to you for your own good, they are offering it for their own.
While most bonuses, promotions and other deals at casinos are good, you should never assume that it is right for you. Always remember that the casino wants your money, so don’t assume all deals are in your best interest. Inform yourself about the deal and make your own decision.