Category: a bit of fun

Top 10 casino bonuses to maximise your winnings in 2024

Top 10 casino bonuses to maximise your winnings in 2024

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 casino bonuses available in 2024, including welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses and free spins. We’ll also provide tips on how to maximise these offers to get the most out of your online gaming sessions.

1. Welcome bonuses

Welcome bonuses are one of the most popular types of promotions offered by online casinos. Typically, these bonuses match a percentage of your first deposit, giving you extra funds to play with right from the start.

Why it’s great:

  • Generous match rates: Many casinos offer match bonuses of 100% or more, effectively doubling your initial deposit.
  • Additional perks: Some welcome bonuses also include free spins or no-deposit bonuses, adding even more value.

How to maximise:

  • Deposit the maximum: To get the most out of a welcome bonus, deposit the maximum amount that the casino will match. This ensures you receive the full bonus.

2. No-deposit bonuses

No-deposit bonuses are a favourite among players because they allow you to play without risking any of your own money. These bonuses are usually small amounts of cash or free spins that are credited to your account just for signing up.

Why it’s great:

  • Risk-free play: No-deposit bonuses give you the chance to win real money without making a deposit.
  • Try Before You Commit: Use these bonuses to explore a new casino before deciding to deposit your own funds.

How to maximise:

  • Fulfil wagering requirements: While no-deposit bonuses are great, they often come with wagering requirements. Be sure to fulfil these to withdraw any winnings.

3. Free spins

Free spins are often part of a welcome package or a standalone promotion. They allow you to spin the reels of a slot game without using your own money, giving you the chance to win real cash.

Why it’s great:

  • No cost: Free spins are exactly that – free! You can win real money without any financial risk.
  • Variety: Many casinos offer free spins on popular slot games, allowing you to try out new titles.

How to maximise:

  • Check game restrictions: Free spins are usually tied to specific games, so make sure the game is one you enjoy and offers good potential payouts.

4. Reload bonuses

Reload bonuses are similar to welcome bonuses, but are available to existing players. They’re usually offered as a percentage match on subsequent deposits, encouraging continued play.

Why it’s great:

  • Ongoing rewards: Reload bonuses provide ongoing value for regular players.
  • Flexibility: These bonuses often come with fewer restrictions compared to welcome bonuses.

How to maximise:

  • Look for the best deals: Some casinos offer higher match rates on specific days or for certain games. Plan your deposits accordingly.

5. Cashback bonuses

Cashback bonuses return a percentage of your losses over a certain period, giving you a safety net if your luck takes a turn for the worse.

Why it’s great:

  • Minimise losses: Cashback bonuses help soften the blow of a losing streak.
  • No wagering requirements: Many cashback bonuses come with no wagering requirements, meaning you can withdraw the cashback immediately.

How to maximise:

  • Opt-in regularly: Make sure to opt-in for cashback promotions whenever they’re available to ensure you receive the maximum benefit.

6. Loyalty programs

Loyalty programs reward regular players with points that can be redeemed for cash, bonuses or other perks. The more you play, the more you earn.

Why it’s great:

  • Tailored rewards: Loyalty programs often offer personalised bonuses based on your gaming habits.
  • Exclusive offers: As you climb the loyalty tiers, you gain access to exclusive promotions and bonuses.

How to maximise:

  • Play regularly: Consistent play is the key to climbing the loyalty ranks and unlocking the best rewards.

7. High roller bonuses

High roller bonuses are designed for players who deposit and wager large amounts of money. These bonuses typically offer larger match percentages or exclusive perks.

Why it’s great:

  • Higher limits: High roller bonuses offer larger bonuses, making them ideal for big spenders.
  • Exclusive Perks: High rollers often receive personalised service, faster withdrawals and invitations to VIP events.

How to maximise:

  • Be strategic: Only opt for high roller bonuses if you’re comfortable with the higher stakes and have the bankroll to support it.

8. Refer-a-friend bonuses

Refer-a-friend bonuses reward you for bringing new players to the casino. When your friend signs up and makes a deposit, both you and your friend receive a bonus.

Why it’s great:

  • Easy money: Referring friends is a simple way to earn extra cash or free spins.
  • Shared fun: You get to share the fun of online gaming with your friends.

How to maximise:

  • Refer multiple friends: The more friends you refer, the more bonuses you can earn. Just make sure they’re interested in online gaming.

9. Tournaments and competitions

Many online casinos host regular tournaments and competitions where players can compete for cash prizes, free spins or other rewards.

Why it’s great:

  • Exciting gameplay: Tournaments add an extra layer of excitement to your gaming experience.
  • Potential for big wins: Competing against other players for prizes can lead to significant payouts.

How to maximise:

  • Join regularly: Participate in tournaments that align with your favourite games to increase your chances of winning.

10. Seasonal and special promotions

Throughout the year, online casinos offer special promotions tied to holidays, events or new game releases. These can include deposit bonuses, free spins or prize draws.

Why it’s great:

  • Limited-time offers: Seasonal promotions often offer more generous bonuses than regular promotions.
  • Variety: These promotions can introduce you to new games or offer unique rewards.

How to maximise:

  • Stay informed: Sign up for casino newsletters or follow them on social media to stay updated on the latest promotions.

Maximising your casino bonuses in 2024

To make the most of these bonuses, it’s important to play smart. Always read the terms and conditions carefully, paying attention to wagering requirements, game restrictions and expiration dates. For example, if you’re offered 50 free spins as part of a welcome package, check which games they apply to and any play-through requirements before you start spinning.

By strategically choosing and using the best bonuses, you can stretch your bankroll further, explore new games and increase your chances of hitting that big win.

Conclusion

The online casino landscape in 2024 is brimming with opportunities to maximise your winnings through various bonuses. From generous welcome offers to ongoing loyalty rewards, there’s something for every type of player. By understanding the different types of bonuses available and how to use them effectively, you can significantly enhance your online gaming experience.

Remember, the key to success is to stay informed, play responsibly and take full advantage of the promotions that best suit your gaming style. Here’s to a fun and prosperous year of online gaming!

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Staying close to family who live far away

Staying close to family who live far away

It used to be that multi-generation families would all live together. It wasn’t so much that humans recognised the value of living together as a clan, although there surely are advantages, but that it was the most practical option. The world was less interconnected than it is today; there were fewer opportunities for people to move away and follow their dreams, and so on. Now, families could be spread out not just across the country, but across the world. So how do you stay in contact and keep the closeness, with so many miles in between? We take a look at a few options below.

Girl in a mustard coloured blouse holding an old fashioned telephone

Regular calls

Spare a thought for those people who did set sail for new lands when they were younger. They’d get on a ship and hope that they would one day return to see the people they loved. If they wanted to stay in touch, they had to write a letter that may or may not get there, and in any case, would take months to arrive anyway. Now, we’ve got a gift that’s often overlooked: the power of talking to people thousands of miles away… as if they were in the same room. With a strong internet connection, you can even see their faces. Make a habit of calling weekly, or, even better, having a video chat using Skype. Conduct a search for internet providers in my area and you’ll find high speed providers, even in rural locations. It can take a bit of getting used to, but eventually, you’ll slip into it, and it’ll feel normal.

People waiting for a train

Pay a visit

Your distant relatives hopefully aren’t living on Mars. They’re somewhere on this planet, and if they got there, then so can you. Next time you have some vacation time, why not look at paying them a visit? There’s nothing like visiting loved ones in strange destinations. You’ll have a great time just because you’re there with them, but then there’s also the matter of exploring their new home, it’s win-win. And then, of course, you can invite them to visit you. You can be anywhere in the world in a matter of hours these days – make the most of it!

Making a group video message

Celebration surprises

Staying in touch is a good start, but it’s also important to go the extra mile from time to time. It’ll help retain the closeness. Let’s take those big celebratory moments, such as their birthday or Christmas. Instead of sending a text, look at doing something special. You can make a video, for example. If it’s a big file, then use a torrent app for Mac for hosting. A personalised video message (or anything else) will show that you’re not just going through the motions, but that you really care.

Writing a letter with a fountain pen

Long letters

It’s true that it’s hard to retain that real closeness when you’re far away. Closeness means sharing innermost thoughts, and knowing where they are in life. To achieve this from a distance, look at getting into the habit of writing one another long letters. People rarely get handwritten letters through the post these days, but they’re always thrilled to receive them. Plus, you’ll find that they’re highly rewarding to write.

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3 classic hobbies you can do from home

3 classic hobbies you can do from home

Quick question – what would you do to occupy yourself if you had to spend the weekend at home, and couldn’t leave for any reason? If you’re like most people, you’d probably end up dedicating an inordinate amount of your time to catching up on your TV watching, surfing the web for random bits of trivia and making sure to obsessively log in and out of your social media accounts every 10 minutes like a true, dyed in the wool addict.

If you’re a more enterprising and proactive sort, however, you might decide to fill your time with something productive, whether that means writing a book, painting the next Mona Lisa, or engaging in any number of old-school, home-based hobbies that have little or nothing to do with the digital world.

If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, here are a selection of just those sorts of hobbies that you might enjoy taking up.

Hammer and tape measure

Furniture making and upcycling

Once upon a time, it was fairly tricky getting your hands on the raw resources to build your own furniture, or to upcycle existing pieces. Today, thanks to the internet (yeah, not very old-school) and delivery services like Shiply, you can get all the required bits and pieces dropped off at your house with minimal fuss.

Creating your own furniture can be an incredibly fulfilling way of venturing into the world of DIY. You’ll need the right sorts of tools, of course, not to mention some space, and a good selection of books and resources to point you in the right direction.

Once you’ve acquired all of these prerequisites, however, you can fully devote yourself to building a new bookcase for the living room, or upcycling an old wardrobe and turning it into something truly worth taking up space in your home.

Stamp collecting items

Stamp collecting

Stamp collecting may not be the most glamorous hobby in the world, but it can be surprisingly engaging and fun, even in an age where probably fewer people send letters than pretty much ever before (at least, since the widespread introduction of the postal service).

Stamp collecting is an entire art-form in and of itself. There are specialist magazines to read, special books for cataloguing rare stamps, special books for keeping your stamps in, and various paraphernalia for obtaining stamps in the first place, and safely removing them from envelopes and postcards.

Stamp collecting is a very relaxing, therapeutic kind of hobby. Perfect if you end most days exhausted by your day job.

Collection of vintage radios

Starting a collection

While stamp collecting is, of course, a form of ‘collecting’, it’s a bit more specific and prescribed than the hobby being outlined here.

Starting a collection involves deciding on a particular type of item that you find especially fascinating, and beginning to collect those items.

This could mean starting a mineral collection, or a knife collection, or a pocket watch collection, or just about anything else you could imagine!

You’ll find that many forms of collection are well-represented by hobby groups, hobby magazines, and so on. Once you feel your collection is well-stocked and organised enough, you might want to get in touch with other enthusiasts to compare notes.

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How well do you know your neighbours?

How well do you know your neighbours?

We’re working in partnership on this post with Rattan Direct to find out, “How well do you know your neighbours?“.

There are a few things that have helped us feel part of our local community.

Row of red brick terraced houses

Length of time lived in our home

We’ve lived at our current address for 15 years; most of our neighbours have been here even longer than that. If we have a quick think, we probably know the neighbours pretty well in the seven or eight houses in either direction along our street. We say hello and often stop and have a chat when we see each other. As we work from home, we’re generally pottering about, which makes it more likely that we see people – we’re also available to take in post – and water plants or feed pets if people go away.

Three girls out dog walking

We’re a neighbourhood of animal lovers

Almost half of our neighbours have one or more dogs. The ones that don’t, have a cat… or birds… or tortoises – but more of them later!

Taking a dog for a walk is a guaranteed way of getting to know people. We must know the names of all the dogs within a 3-mile radius of our house… and many of the owners’ names too. Dogs must be the second most popular topic of conversation after the weather!

Flooded streets in Morpethcredit

We’ve pulled together in the face of adversity

Nothing helps you get to know your neighbours better than a shared misfortune. That’s why you hear lots of older people referring to the war as almost a happy time. People pulled together and supported each other as their homes were being bombed or other sacrifices being made.

The homes & businesses on our street have flooded – or have almost – on a few occasions. We’ve helped each other trying to keep the water out that lapped at our front doors. We’ve borrowed, lent and shared brooms and mops and sandbags. We’ve worked together to attach flood barriers to doors as the river level steadily rose. We’ve talked to each other about insurance companies and local authority grants and recommended building companies and workmen. We’ve even had to return a tortoise we found marooned in our garden to neighbours who live a few doors away!

How well you know your neighbours? Take Rattan Direct’s survey to find out.

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