If you’re planning on taking up online poker, there’s no better place to start than at Absolute Poker. Not only is AP a member of one of the world’s biggest online poker networks (Cereus) and not only does it feature arguably the best online poker software out there, it also offers its new players a 150% match on their first deposits, up to a generous $500.

As a beginner, you should also be aware of the fact that the value of a bonus is not given solely by the % match and the maximum threshold. It is also given by the redemption requirements. In order to unlock your bonus money, and to have it transferred to your real money account, you need to play real money games and generate credits. A set number of such credits will unlock a bonus dollar (there’s a rate set, kind of like the currency exchange rate). The more favorable this rate is, the bigger the value your bonus carries.

At Absolute Poker, you’ll be able to qualify for different VIP levels, depending on how many credits you generate through real money games. You’ll start at the Bronze level and you’ll be able to reach Diamond Elite level. It would seem like Diamond Elite players have more work to do to have their bonuses released but this is not the case. While they are required to generate more credits per bonus dollar, they’ll produce these credits at a 5 times faster rate than Bronze level players.

You’ll also be able to generate credits through blackjack (a game also on offer at AP) but those credits will not count towards your bonus redemption. Your bonus will be unlocked $5 at a time. This means that even if you fail to unlock the entire amount, at least some of it will still land in your pocket before the offer expires.