HollyWood Poker, 500% Bonus, whats the catch, I dont understand

[DontRaisePlz]

I am into poker rather for a hobby base rather than profit base, but still, I still have to respect money. There is this offer on Hollywood Poker, "500%", hm its not like I am gonna cash out, what is the BIG CATCH about this 500% bonus, if it is something like playing 1000 rake pots, its cool. Well my question is: 500%, what's the catch!?

I am thinking of depositing 200 dollars, so does that mean I get 1000?

Bonus Option #1:
500% up to $1,000 ($200 deposit required for max bonus)
Must enter code 'HP1000' for the sign-up bonus.
Bonus cleared at 15x the bonus in points.
Bonus expires after 60 days

[playersare]

a) you don't get the bonus money of front to play with (this is the norm with most poker sites except maybe Bodog and Pacific). it is released $50 at a time.

b) you have to earn 15x poker points per $1 in bonus. based on the hollywood poker rake structure, that means you pay a minimum of $1.50 of attriubted rake to the site for every $1 on bonus you get back. so in the long run they still make at least 30% net on your total action.

c) you only have 60 days to clear the entire $1000 bonus for 15000 points. unless you're multitabling at least $2/4 LHE or $1/2 NL (doubtful if you're only depositing $200 to start), then you won't actually clear the entire thing in time.

do not use percentage match to determine where the best bonuses are. use the bonuswhores site charts and see which deals earn the most per hour based on the limits you play.

[Leavenfish]

It took me some 2k hands at $1/2 just to clear the first (and last) $50. It's a joke.

---Leavenfish

[badplayer]

I know hindsight is 20/20, but if you're going to quit after the first $50, it would have been better to go with option #2. You need only 450 points instead of 750, but you only get half the time to do it.


Bonus Option #2:

* 25% up to $50 ($200 deposit required for max bonus)
* Must enter code "HP50" for the sign-up offer.
* Bonus cleared at 9x the bonus in points.
* Bonus expires after 30 days