You are on the bonus screen, and a field asks for a promo code before you can claim the offer. That code activates the bonus, but the condition most players misread is the wagering requirement attached to it. What that condition means for your money is simple: the bonus is not cash until you play through a set multiple of it, and until then you cannot withdraw the bonus or winnings derived from it.
Getting the Welcome Offer
The welcome offer appears on the bonus screen after you register and log in. Claiming it involves a short sequence of steps, and each one affects whether the bonus lands in your account.
- Open the site on your phone browser and select the join button. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID, because a later security check must match them.
- Complete the account form and set a password you have not used elsewhere. The system may ask for a code sent to your phone or email during this step.
- Log in with your new credentials and go to the cashier section. Choose a deposit method that supports the welcome offer, since some methods are excluded.
- Enter the promo code in the bonus field on the deposit screen. Type it without extra spaces, because an invalid code means the bonus will not attach to your deposit.
- Make a qualifying deposit and confirm it. The bonus should appear separately from your cash balance, so you can tell which funds are which.
- Open the bonus details page and note the wagering multiple and the games that count toward it. This is the condition that decides when your bonus becomes withdrawable.
- Start playing the eligible games with your real balance first. https://pokerstars.mex.com applies the bonus to your account after the deposit, and the playthrough begins counting from that point.
The bonus screen shows your progress toward the wagering requirement, and that figure tells you how much play remains. A common mistake is to assume the bonus appears automatically; the code is what links it to your deposit. Another mistake is to deposit before logging in, because the offer is tied to your account rather than the payment itself. Players who skip the bonus details page often miss that only some games count fully toward playthrough. The welcome offer is meant for new accounts, so claiming it on a second account will not work. The bonus is usually split into separate parts, and each part may have its own completion point. If you deposit and then enter the code, the bonus may not attach, so enter the code first. The progress bar updates as you play, and reaching the end is what unlocks withdrawal. Keep your cash and bonus balances in mind when you place bets, because the two are tracked separately. A deposit made with an excluded method will not trigger the offer even with a valid code. The terms describe the playthrough as a multiple of the bonus amount, not a fixed sum. That means the larger your bonus, the more play is required before it converts to cash. Players who treat the bonus as free cash are surprised when the withdrawal button stays locked. The steps above keep the offer and its condition in view from the start.
What the Terms Mean
The table below pairs each common term with its meaning and the point that decides your outcome.
| Term | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | The total play needed before bonus winnings become cash | The multiple and the base it applies to (bonus only or bonus plus deposit) |
| Game contribution | The share of each bet that counts toward playthrough | Which games count fully, partly, or not at all |
| Bonus expiry | The point after which unused bonus and its winnings are removed | How long the bonus stays active and whether playthrough pauses |
| Maximum bet | The largest stake allowed while a bonus is active | The cap per spin or hand and whether exceeding it voids the bonus |
| Cashout cap | The most you can withdraw from bonus winnings | The limit that applies to the converted bonus amount |
The term players misread most is the wagering requirement, because they assume it applies to the deposit. In most offers it applies to the bonus amount, and sometimes to both balances. That distinction changes how much play is needed, so read the base before you start.
The bonus details page states the wagering multiple, and that number is the core of the condition. If the multiple applies to the bonus only, a small deposit can carry a large requirement. If it applies to both, the requirement includes your own money, which players rarely expect. The game contribution then decides how fast you clear the requirement, because not every bet counts in full. A game listed at partial contribution means your playthrough grows more slowly than your stake suggests. Expiry matters because an active bonus can be removed before you finish, taking its winnings with it. The maximum bet rule is easy to break during a lucky streak, and breaking it can void the bonus entirely. The cashout cap limits what you keep from bonus winnings, even after you clear the requirement. Reading these terms together shows the real cost of the offer before you deposit.
Example Calculation
This is an illustrative example only, not the actual terms of any offer. The numbers show how the formula works so you can apply it to the real figures you see.
The formula is simple: wagering requirement equals the bonus base multiplied by the wagering multiple. In this example, the base is the bonus amount, not the deposit. The deposit is 50, and the bonus is also 50 for the sake of round numbers. The wagering multiple is 45, which is a common figure in illustrative examples.
Using the formula, the requirement is 50 multiplied by 45. That gives a total playthrough of 2,250. This figure is the amount of eligible bets you must place, not the amount you must deposit. Every eligible bet adds to your progress until the total is reached.
If the multiple applied to the deposit as well, the base would be 100. The requirement would then be 100 multiplied by 45, which is 4,500. That doubles the play needed from the same deposit. This is why the base of the requirement matters more than the multiple itself.
Game contribution changes the effective requirement. A game that counts at half contribution means every 10 in bets adds only 5 to your progress. At that rate, clearing 2,250 requires 4,500 in actual bets. A game that does not count at all adds nothing, no matter how long you play it.
Suppose you play only games with full contribution. Your progress rises by the full amount of each bet. If your average bet is 1, you need 2,250 bets to clear the requirement. At an average of 2, you need 1,125 bets. The number of bets matters less than the total amount wagered.
Expiry adds a time dimension to the calculation. If the bonus expires before you reach 2,250, the remaining bonus and any winnings from it are removed. A faster pace means less risk of hitting expiry, but a higher stake also risks the maximum bet cap. The maximum bet rule can void the bonus if you exceed it, so pace matters as much as volume.
The cashout cap applies after you clear the requirement. In this example, if the cap is lower than your winnings, you keep only the capped amount. The rest is removed even though you met the playthrough. Treat the cap as part of the formula when you decide whether the offer suits you.
Withdrawing After a Bonus
The withdrawal button stays locked until the wagering requirement is fully met. Progress is shown on the bonus details page, and it must reach the end before any bonus-derived funds can leave. Cash winnings from before the bonus are separate and are not affected by the lock. Keeping the two balances distinct helps you see what is actually available.
Once playthrough is complete, the bonus converts according to the terms. Some offers convert the bonus to cash automatically, while others require you to claim the conversion. The bonus details page states which applies, and the conversion may take effect only after you finish all parts of a split bonus. Players who stop playing right at the end of playthrough may still need to trigger the conversion.
Before requesting a withdrawal, complete any account security steps the site requires. These often include confirming your identity and address, and they can be done before you need the money. A pending security check can hold a withdrawal even when playthrough is complete. Finishing these steps early avoids a delay at the moment you want to cash out.
Check that your payment method for withdrawal matches the one used for deposit where required. Some methods cannot receive withdrawals, and the cashier will show which are available. Choosing an unavailable method blocks the request. The cashier screen lists the options that work for your account.
Review the cashout cap before you request the full amount. If your bonus winnings exceed the cap, the excess is removed rather than paid. The cap is stated in the terms and applies only to the bonus portion. Your own deposit and its winnings are not subject to that cap.
Withdrawing your cash balance while a bonus is active can affect the bonus. Some terms remove an active bonus when you make a withdrawal, and the progress is lost with it. The bonus details page states whether withdrawal is allowed during playthrough. If it is not, finish the requirement first or forfeit the bonus deliberately.
After the withdrawal is processed, the bonus is closed and the balance reflects only your cash. Any remaining bonus parts are removed if they were not completed. This is normal and is described in the terms. A clean finish means the bonus has served its purpose and your cash is yours to withdraw.
Game Contribution
Each game contributes a set share of every bet toward the wagering requirement. Full contribution means the whole bet counts, and partial contribution means only a fraction counts. Games with no contribution add nothing to your progress. The contribution list is on the bonus details page, and it decides how fast you clear the requirement.
Slots often carry full contribution, which makes them the fastest route through playthrough. Table games and live games often carry partial or no contribution. Choosing a game without checking its contribution can leave your progress unchanged after a long session. The list shows the percentage for each category.
Partial contribution works against you in a subtle way. A game at half contribution doubles the amount you must bet to clear the same requirement. Players who switch between full and partial games see their progress slow without understanding why. Sticking to full-contribution games keeps the pace predictable.
Some games are excluded from bonus play entirely. Playing an excluded game with an active bonus may break the terms, even if the bet itself is small. The excluded list is part of the bonus details, and it is short enough to read once. Avoiding those games protects the bonus from being voided.
The contribution rate applies to each bet as you place it, not to your total at the end. Progress is tracked continuously, and the bonus page updates as you play. This means you can adjust your game choice mid-playthrough if progress is too slow. Checking the page after a session shows whether your chosen game is counting as expected.
Mobile play through the phone browser uses the same contribution rules as desktop play. The game list and percentages are identical, and progress is tracked on the same account. There is no separate contribution rate for mobile. Players who switch devices see the same progress figure.
Traps to Avoid
Most lost bonuses come from a small set of avoidable mistakes. Each one below has a simple check that keeps the bonus intact.
- Depositing without the promo code. The bonus will not attach, and the deposit is treated as a normal one. Enter the code in the bonus field before confirming the deposit.
- Playing excluded games during playthrough. The terms can void the bonus and its winnings. Check the excluded list on the bonus details page before you start.
- Exceeding the maximum bet while the bonus is active. A single large bet can void the entire bonus. Keep every stake within the cap stated in the terms.
- Ignoring the expiry point. An unused bonus is removed when it expires, along with its winnings. Track the expiry and finish playthrough before it arrives.
- Assuming the multiple applies to the deposit. The requirement may be based on the bonus only, or on both. Read the base on the bonus details page before you calculate.
- Requesting a withdrawal during playthrough. Some terms remove the bonus when you withdraw. Finish the requirement first, or accept the loss of the bonus.
- Leaving identity checks until the end. A pending check can hold your withdrawal after playthrough is complete. Complete the security steps early so the cashout is not delayed.
The traps above share a common cause: acting before reading the condition that applies. A player who checks the wagering base, the game list, the bet cap, and the expiry before depositing avoids nearly all of them. The promo code is the first checkpoint, and it is easy to miss on a busy deposit screen. Excluded games are the second, because their names are not always obvious from the game title. The maximum bet cap is the third, and it is the one players break without noticing during a winning run. Expiry is the fourth, and it punishes slow play more than fast play. The withdrawal rule is the fifth, and it catches players who want to cash out early. Identity checks are the sixth, and they are simple to complete in advance. None of these checks takes long, and each one protects the bonus you claimed. A few minutes on the bonus details page is the difference between a bonus that pays and one that disappears.