If you are signing up to Natural8 for the first time, the welcome offer can look more complicated than it really is. Here is the short version in plain English: as a new player you get to pick ONE welcome reward, not both. This guide walks through what each option actually means, the rule you must not miss, how to claim, and — most usefully — which one tends to suit which kind of player. We are the official Natural8 entrance run by an authorized affiliate partner, so this is written in a player-first, no-spin way: what we know, what is operator-stated, and what you should always double-check on the official site.
The welcome offer in one sentence: choose ONE
New players choose one of two welcome rewards. You cannot stack them or switch later, so it pays to understand both before you decide. Eligibility and terms vary by region and may change, so always rely on Natural8’s latest official terms.
Option A — First-deposit bonus, up to 200%
This is the bigger, slower-burn option. Your first deposit is matched up to 200%, up to a maximum of US$1,000. The bonus is not handed to you as instant cash — it is activated (released) gradually within 60 days as you play, per the official terms. Think of it as extra value that unlocks the more you play, rather than a lump sum you can grab and run with.
Option B — Newbie ticket reward, up to US$100
This is the smaller, faster option aimed at newcomers. Instead of a deposit match, you receive a ticket reward worth up to US$100 (the Newbie package), giving you entries to try games and tournaments without committing your own money to every seat. It is a gentler on-ramp if you mainly want to test the waters.
The only-one rule: You pick one of the two — the deposit bonus or the ticket reward. The choice is made at the start, you cannot claim both, and you generally cannot swap to the other afterwards. Choose with your own playing plan in mind, not the biggest number on the page.
How to claim (step by step)
The flow is straightforward. The exact wording and screens may differ by region and may change, so treat this as the shape of the process rather than a fixed script:
- Register an account with your basic details. Service depends on location — if the registration page does not list your country, that region cannot register. Check your local laws first; 18+ only.
- Download the official client for Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. Use the official download page only — the real-money app is not on the Apple App Store or Google Play, so avoid fake copies and always start from the official site. Our download guide covers this in detail.
- Go to the cashier and make your first deposit. The threshold to qualify is low, per the official terms — check the promo page for the current figure.
- Select your welcome reward: the up-to-200% first-deposit bonus or the up-to-US$100 Newbie ticket reward. Remember, it is one or the other.
- Start playing. If you chose the deposit bonus, it releases over time (within 60 days) as you generate play; if you chose the tickets, use them on eligible games and tournaments.
Want the full picture on signing up and verification? See our registration and KYC guide.
Which should you choose?
There is no single “best” answer — it depends on how much and how often you plan to play. Here is a quick decision table by player type.
| Player type | Recommended option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-new to online poker, just testing the waters | Newbie ticket reward (up to US$100) | Lets you try real games and tournaments without committing your own money to every entry; low pressure. |
| Casual player, small or one-off deposit | Newbie ticket reward | You likely will not play enough to release a large deposit bonus inside 60 days, so the tickets give more usable value. |
| Regular grinder planning to play often | First-deposit bonus (up to 200%) | The bonus unlocks as you play — steady volume means you actually capture the extra value over the 60-day window. |
| Depositing a larger amount up front | First-deposit bonus (up to 200%) | A bigger deposit means a bigger match (up to the US$1,000 cap), so the upside is larger if you put in the hours. |
| Unsure how much you’ll play | Newbie ticket reward | No “use it or lose it” race against a release timer; safer when your volume is uncertain. |
Rule of thumb: more volume → deposit bonus; more caution → tickets. For more on the offer mechanics, see our bonus guide and the current bonus page.
After the welcome offer: long-term rakeback
The welcome reward is a one-time thing. The part that actually rewards you month after month is rakeback — money returned to you based on the rake you generate while playing. On Natural8 this runs through the Ocean Rewards / Fish Buffet programme, which has 8 tiers. The headline “up to 80%” applies to the top tier (Shark) only — it is not a flat rate everyone gets. Your actual percentage depends on the tier you reach.
| Tier | TP milestone | Point multiplier | Approx cashback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish | 0 TP | x1.5 | ~16% |
| Shrimp | 10,000 TP | x2 | ~25% |
| Crab | 50,000 TP | x2.5 | ~30% |
| Turtle | 200,000 TP | x3 | ~40% |
| Octopus | 750,000 TP | x3.5 | ~50% |
| Dolphin | 2,000,000 TP | x4 | ~60% |
| Whale | 5,000,000 TP | x4.5 | ~70% |
| Shark | 10,000,000 TP | x5 | ~80% |
You climb by earning Tier Points (TP): in poker you earn 100 TP per US$1 of rake generated; in casino you earn 1 TP per US$2 wagered on slots or 1 TP per US$6 on featured table games (the rebate varies by game type). You also collect GEMs, a reward currency used per the official terms. Rakeback is credited automatically on the official Ocean Rewards schedule — there is no manual request to file. Tiers and percentages come from Natural8’s official Ocean Rewards / Fish Buffet page and may vary by region and campaign. For the full breakdown see our rakeback guide and Ocean Rewards guide, or the live rakeback page.
Short FAQ
Can I change my choice after I pick?
Generally no. The welcome offer is a one-time, choose-one decision and you usually cannot swap to the other reward afterwards. Decide before you confirm, and rely on Natural8’s latest official terms for the exact rules in your region.
Can I withdraw the bonus directly?
Not as straight cash. The first-deposit bonus is released gradually as you play (within 60 days), not paid out as a lump sum you can immediately cash out. We do not guarantee any bonus amount, rakeback or payout — what you actually receive depends on your play and the current terms.
Where do I see the exact details?
Always check the official promo and terms on Natural8 — the minimum threshold, regional eligibility, release conditions and any campaign-specific rules live there and can change. This page explains the offer in plain language; the official terms are the source of truth.
Before your first withdrawal: KYC and payouts
One thing to plan for: KYC identity verification is usually required before your first withdrawal. KYC is an identity check plus security review and can take up to 5 business days (operator-stated), so it is smart to complete it early rather than when you are waiting on a cashout. Withdrawals go through the cashier; methods vary by region. Typical payout time is 24–72 hours (operator-stated) and there is a daily withdrawal limit of US$20,000 (operator-stated; higher tiers or periods may differ) — we will not promise anything faster. Our KYC page and withdrawal guide explain the steps.
A quick note on who Natural8 is
Natural8 is the official Asia-facing entrance to the GGPoker network — same network software, same player pool (“two doors to the same network”). The GGPoker network is one of the largest online poker networks in the world, with deep, genuinely international pools across stakes from about US$0.01/US$0.02 cash games up to tournaments with buy-ins from around US$1. The platform is owned and operated by Run Good N.V. (reg. No. 150149, Curaçao) under a licence from the Government of Anjouan, Union of Comoros (No. ALSI-192407036), with RNG tested by BMM Testlabs (per official natural8.com/rng) — all operator-stated; verify with the official source or regulator. For more, see why Natural8, our safety guide, the safety page, and the full Natural8 review. New to the games themselves? Start with how to play.
Player note: This is the official Natural8 entrance, run by an authorized affiliate partner — not Natural8’s official website itself. This page contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not guarantee any bonus, rakeback, payout or winnings — eligibility and terms vary by region and may change; always rely on Natural8’s latest official terms. 18+ only; play responsibly and check your local laws.