The online site of one of Atlantic City’s most renowned poker rooms, Borgata Poker online is a partypoker skin that offers another nice no deposit bonus – simply set up your account and earn a free $20. All major poker sites offer free, no download play money poker where you can test out the software, games and tournament options.Free no download poker is in fact a great way to get used to the speed of online poker games and the ins and outs of each poker site's software. Download our free poker software now. Our online Poker Games Whether you're just getting started or are an experienced poker player, you'll find exactly what you're looking for at our tables – and it won't cost you a thing. The games are intended for an adult audience. The games do not offer 'real money gambling' or an opportunity to win real money or prizes. Practice or success at social casino gaming does not imply future success at 'real money gambling.'
Freerolls, poker sites and your bankroll: there are few sweeter equations in the poker world than this. While it’s true that in life you don’t ever get something for nothing, you’ll find when you play poker online, freerolls are there to ensure that this isn’t necessarily the case.
Of course, there are certain restrictions when it comes to online poker freerolls, but these are, at best, minimal. In fact, in order to take part in any of the free poker tournaments at our top US sites, you basically need to create an account and play at least one real money hand.
Great! All this sounds fantastic, but what exactly are free poker tourneys? In a nutshell, a poker freeroll is a tournament that doesn’t cost anything to enter. Unlike MTTs that charge an entry fee plus rake, these no-cost poker events allow you to test your skills and compete for cash prizes for free. In general, at the best US poker sites, freerolls will run throughout the day and offer prizepools worth anywhere from $100 to $10,000.
If no-cost tourneys basically give you a chance to win money for nothing, then why do US poker sites host them? Although it may seem counterintuitive, poker site freerolls actually make good business sense for all parties. For poker rooms, free tournaments are a way of rewarding players, stimulating action and nurturing loyalty. By giving novice players a chance to build a bankroll from nothing, the best US operators are more able to retain valuable customers.
Regardless of whether you’re a newbie without a bankroll, or a seasoned grinder looking for a cash boost, these free poker tournaments are a great way to enhance your fortunes.
In fact, free tournaments come in all shapes and sizes. Although many are aimed solely at new customers with small bankrolls, many of the best poker sites offer freerolls to VIP players. Usually taking place at the end of the month, the size of the prizepool is often dependent on a player’s ranking. For example, a low level VIP may be rewarded with a monthly freeroll worth $1,000, while a top-ranking player will be given a ticket to play in a $10,000 tournament, all for free.
When it comes to freerolls, poker sites want you to take advantage of them. As we’ve mentioned, these tournaments actually make sense for all parties concerned, but what positives can you learn from US poker site freerolls other than making money?
Patience: It’s often the case in online poker freerolls that players are crazy. Because entry is free and, in general, the fields are large, players are willing to take risks. This usually takes the form of a constant barrage of all-ins during the early rounds. Because of this, the key to free tournament success is to be patient. Moreover, the key to poker success is to be patient. Thus, when you play online poker free tourneys, you should build up a healthy amount of patience that will improve your overall game.
Better MTT Skills: When it comes to the best US poker sites, freerolls provide a great way to hone your tournament strategy. Because they don’t cost anything to enter, you can practice the skills necessary in order to thrive in each stage of an MTT (early, middle and late). Moreover, because free tournaments often contain a plethora of American grinders, you’ll gain valuable experience when it comes to tackling both live and online tournaments.
Tricky Plays: Free poker games are a great way to practice new plays. After reading a piece of poker strategy you’ll often want to test it out on your opponents. Of course, in a real money game this can be costly. However, when you play online poker freerolls, this fear of losing money isn’t there. Therefore, if you want to advance your skills and become a trickier player, free tournaments provide the perfect testing ground.
Bankroll Management: In terms of poker sites, freerolls offer a great way for you to manage your bankroll. Across America, players are losing their bankrolls on a daily basis because they take too many risks. Fortunately, when it comes to freerolls, poker sites offer an in-built safeguard against financial ruin. By giving you the ability to play poker and win money for free, you can avoid spending more than you can afford, thus, going broke.
One of the biggest traps novice players fall into when it comes to US poker sites, freerolls and overall strategy is fancy play syndrome (FPS). The key to success in all American free poker tournaments is to play solid poker. Often described as A, B, C, this strategy basically asserts that you raise with your strong hands, fold your weak ones and, generally, don’t do anything too tricky because the players around you aren’t skilled enough to read your moves.
When it comes to playing poker online, a free tournament is a great training ground so you should always see them as a way to practice sound poker strategy. Although it may be tempting to join the all-in merchants, we suggest you avoid this and follow our simple tips to free tournament success:
So now we’ve given you an overview of the business of poker sites, freerolls and everything in-between, it’s time to point you in the direction of our best recommended poker rooms. When it comes to our top US poker sites, freerolls form a major part of our review criteria. We only choose the operators with a large number of daily free tourneys for both new and established players. In fact, when you ante-up at any of our recommended platforms, you’ll find a slew of online poker freerolls offering five-figure prizes on a weekly basis. So, if you want to build a bankroll from nothing, make sure you take advantage of our latest freeroll offers.
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Whether you’re new to poker or simply new to playing poker online, No Deposit Poker offers a chance to get your first online hands in for no money out of your own pocket.
While you can always play for free on any poker site in play-money games, most online poker sites also give you credit to play in real money online poker games just for signing up.
This is known as “No Deposit” Poker. While it’s usually not a ton of money (typically up to $25 or $30), and it can’t be cashed out right away, a no deposit poker bonus makes it easy to play for fun in actual, competitive poker games and start building your online bankroll.
All you have to do to claim it is set up a new account, create a username, and start playing.
Poker Site | Free Money Offer | States Available | Bonus Code |
---|---|---|---|
WSOP.com | Free $10 (NJ) Free $10 (NV) | • New Jersey • Nevada | NJ: 10FREE NV: GET10 |
888poker | Free $20 | • New Jersey • Delaware | No code needed |
partypoker | Free $25 | • New Jersey | PLAYNJCASH |
BorgataPoker.com | Free $20 | • New Jersey | FREEMONEY |
BetMGM Poker | Free $25 | • New Jersey | PLAYNJFREE |
Global Poker | Free $20 package with a verified account | • US players (excl. WA) • CAN players (excl. Que.) | No code needed |
PokerStars (Note: Deposit required but play is free) | Free $30 (with $20 deposit) (NJ or PA) | • New Jersey • Pennsylvania | FREE30 |
As of 2020, there are four states that currently offer legal, real-money poker sites to US players:
Two more states have passed regulation to license and legalize online poker but have yet to launch any real money sites:
While the amount of real money poker sites available in each state varies (NJ has the most options, for example), most if not all poker sites offer no deposit poker for new players.
Whichever your state, use the links in the table above to claim your no-deposit poker bonus. After downloading the online poker software, you can then create your account.
This is where you enter your “Bonus Code” (see table above) to secure your no deposit bonus. After signup, the bonus is instantly credited to your account. You can then hit the tables and get started.
If you want to play no deposit poker outside of the above states, see our Global Poker section below.
This is the online poker arm of the famed World Series of Poker. WSOP.com offers online poker to players in Nevada (where it’s the only operator in the market) and New Jersey.
The WSOP partners with 888poker in the US for its software platform. 888 is a respected international online poker operator and a regular sponsor of the WSOP in Las Vegas.
WSOP.com offers the only shared player pool in the US among Nevada and New Jersey, and with 888 in Delaware. This makes for larger prize pools and player pools in most events, which makes it the regular revenue leader in New Jersey.
WSOP.com gives you a free $10 no deposit bonus simply for signing up. This makes it easy to play low-budget cash games, tournaments, sit & go’s, and other events.
That 10 bucks may not seem like a lot, but there are cash games that start at only pennies and low roller tournaments and sit & go’s for that as well. Those who decide to play for even more will also find an extra bonus of 100% match up to $1,000 on your first deposit.
If you prefer taking your poker on the road, WSOP.com also has a nice real money poker app for your phone. The free $10 No Deposit Bonus is also available to app users so it’s easy to jump right in the action and test drive what’s on offer.
888poker offers online poker in New Jersey as a partner with WSOP.com, but also offers all online poker in the state of Delaware. 888 players also benefit from being part of the New Jersey/Nevada/Delaware interstate player compact with WSOP.
As for a no-deposit bonus, new players get $20 free to play real money casino games and poker tournaments. Here’s how that cash is distributed:
If you want to deposit into your account for further play you can also claim a 100% match bonus up to $1,500.
This is another excellent option for players in New Jersey offering a $25 No Deposit Bonus for players simply signing up. That can go a long way for players looking to play some cards on house money.
partypoker is one of the best platforms in the world and partners with MGM’s Borgata casino in Atlantic City. The additional skins BorgataPoker.com and BetMGM Poker also make use of partypoker software and all three share the same group of players.
You can receive your $25 in a few different ways. This makes for a nice way to play some of what partypoker has to offer including:
Players simply have to set up and account to earn that free money. The partypoker app also offers a great playing experience, and the company has worked to make it an even better option since 2019.
Beyond the free money option, those looking to fund their account will find another nice deposit match bonus of 100% up to $600.
When you’re the most recognized and popular online poker site in the world, a no deposit bonus isn’t in the cards. But you can get $30 in free play for a minimal deposit.
Known for its world-class software and massive tournaments, PokerStars now offers real-money online poker in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As of November 2020, it’s the only poker site in PA, but that should change in the Fall when partypoker launches. In the US, both NJ and PA are “fenced-in” markets, which means players can only play against others located in that state – not against a national or international player pool (yet).
That being said, you’ll find many similar series and promotions that you’d find on the international PokerStars platform, only geared toward NJ and PA. Both have proven popular so far and offer access to big tournament series such as the NJ/PA Championships of Online Poker and the Bounty Builder Series.
Players won’t find a completely free no deposit bonus for poker, but a pretty solid deal nonetheless. For a deposit of $20, players get $30 in free play. Or, on that first deposit players can also choose a 100% match bonus up to $600 instead.
The $30 free play bonus includes:
The online site of one of Atlantic City’s most renowned poker rooms, Borgata Poker online is a partypoker skin that offers another nice no deposit bonus – simply set up your account and earn a free $20.
As they share software, you’ll find the same excellent and newly revised table layout you’d find on partypoker NJ plus the same cash game and tournament selection.
Your no deposit bonus comes in the form of:
If you choose to go on and make a deposit you’ll get a 100% match bonus up to $600.
Players at BorgataPoker.com will find some nice daily and weekly events as well as major tournament series. That includes chances to qualify at the property’s regular live tournament events – some of the best in the country.
Another partypoker skin, this platform also uses the same software and player pool. It also offers the chance to earn another nice no deposit bonus.
Set up an account and take the free $25 to jump on a table and do some betting and bluffing. No big requirements here; just use this link and get started playing with your free cash.
If you decide to actually make an additional deposit, you’ll get a 100% match bonus up to $1,000.
This is a unique sweepstake poker site available to players in the US (excl. WA) and Canada (excl. Que). Similar to a social gaming site, players can play for a free with a virtual currency called Gold Coins (GC).
Those who purchase more Gold Coins receive Sweeps Coins (SC) as a bonus. These can also be used in separate tournaments and ring games and ultimately be redeemed for cash prizes and gift cards.
Global Poker is a great sweeps cash poker option with a $20 Gold Coin no deposit package for you to get started and try the platform out.
No deposit poker is a great way to jump in to your first action online. These bonuses are indeed real money and can be a great jumpstart to having a proper poker bankroll you can use to play progressively bigger stakes.
That’s certainly not required however – you can play at the lowest stakes (literally pennies) for as long as you want to. Legal poker sites also offer the chance to simply play for virtual currency (play money), too, although the game is decidedly different strategically than real money poker.
Regardless, through both you can see how the site functions, get used to the speed of the online game and work on your own strategy weak spots.
Playing at a legal, regulated online poker site in the US is the same as playing at a live poker table at a casino. They offer safety and security and must meet strict gaming regulations like traditional casinos. Read more about safe and secure online poker sites.
Beyond the traditional poker software client, playing for real money on poker apps is also an option.
These are not to be confused with other social gaming and similar play money apps. These don’t offer a real-money option and playing poker is much different when not playing for real money. You’ll find traditional real-money online poker is much closer to what you might experience in a real casino card room.
Traditional online poker sites in the US offer players a virtual game as well as the ability to play for real money in major tournaments and cash games.
Another great way to build a bankroll on an online poker site is to make use of freerolls. These are free tournaments to enter where the poker site puts up a real money prize pool.
There is no tournament fee and you can earn real money if you win or make it into the money spots. Many sites offer new players exclusive freerolls in addition to no deposit bonuses.
Freerolls are another nice option to make some money on a poker site without having to make a deposit. Additionally, these tournaments aren’t solely for new players and many sites use them as promotions.
Most poker sites offer all new players a Welcome Bonus. This shouldn’t be confused with a no deposit bonus.
A welcome bonus, also sometimes referred to as a match bonus, applies to players who make an initial deposit. Some of these bonuses can be for up to $1,500 and make for a great way to get started on a real-money online poker site if you intend to play a lot of poker. Meeting the clearing requirements for some welcome bonuses – particularly the largest amounts – will take some concentrated effort in a short period of time.
A no deposit bonus is just as the name implies. A new player only has to register an account and can play using these funds without even making a deposit. No deposit bonuses are the easier way to get started with online poker.
Online poker has exploded as a way to play poker for real money on a cell phone or tablet. Poker sites now tailor their product for mobile users as well as those using the traditional poker client.
All the traditional online poker sites mentioned here in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Delaware all offer nice poker apps. Those include:
Poker apps are easy to download for both iPhone and Android. You can still take advantage of no deposit bonuses as well as other deposit offers found here. You can expect to find all the games and events you’d find using a laptop including:
If you try out a poker app you’ll find a platform built specifically for mobile play. Much of the play on a poker app can be done utilizing a single finger, which makes playing on the go very simple. Most features found on the desktop client are also available on the app.
For players not able to play traditional online poker on their phones, sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker also offer an opportunity. While Global doesn’t yet have a mobile app, the site uses a browser-based system that also works great on a cell phone or tablet.
Are online No Deposit Poker bonuses really free?
Yes, poker sites offer these bonuses to USPoker readers to try out the site. Players can build a bankroll using these funds and ultimately cash them out for real money.
What games can I play with a No Deposit Bonus?
While these bonuses may be smaller than players would typically deposit, they do offer a chance to play for real money. Players can take advantage of cash games, tournaments, and sit & go’s.
You can find stakes for all bankrolls and can play for as low as $0.01/$0.02 at many sites. You’ll also find tournaments and sit & go’s available for around $1.
Some sites may offer the no deposit bonus as a simple credit to your account allowing you to play as you wish. Others may offer players specific tournament or sit & go tickets. These can be used to actually win real money and build a poker bankroll just like funds you can deposit on the site.
Can I claim a No Deposit Bonus and a Match Bonus?
Yes, a no deposit bonus is free money a player can use after simply creating an account at a site. There is no deposit required and you don’t have to fund an account.
Match Bonuses or Welcome Bonuses are funds credited to a player’s account after making a deposit. These can be hundreds of dollars and even thousands, and are a great benefit for players looking to make a deposit.
These may have requirements for “play-through” before these funds are released however. That means a player may need to play a certain number of hands or events to have some of that bonus released and credited to his account.
When can I withdraw my no deposit bonus?
Most winnings from these bonuses can be withdrawn as they are accumulated. These funds are real money as if the player had made a deposit.
What’s the catch with a No Deposit Bonus?
There’s no “catch” with these types of funds. They’re available to you to try out a regulated, legal online poker site for real money and see if it’s for you. It’s real money to play poker and it’s free. What could be better? You won’t be able to claim the bonus and then immediately cash it out, obviously, but that shouldn’t be classified as a “catch” per se. That’s simple common sense.
Where can I get a No Deposit bonus in the US?
Since 2011, after what’s known as “Black Friday,” the US has been limited to a state-by-state approach to legalizing online poker. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware have offered online poker since 2013.
Pennsylvania began offering online poker in 2019. West Virginia and Michigan legalized online gaming including poker in 2019. However, those two states haven’t gone live with online gaming yet as of June 2020.
Those looking for some No Deposit Poker are in luck with a few sites in some of these legal states. It’s also important to note that while you have to be located within these states to play, you don’t have to be there to sign up for a No Deposit Bonus or even fund your account.
Some players see that No Deposit Bonus as a challenge – ie how long they can make it last as they try to build it up into an even bigger bonus. Here’s a look at a few popular sites where you can get in the games just for signing up.
If you’re interested in no deposit bonuses for online casino play, see our dedicated page here: