Best First Deposit Bonus Casinos UK 2026 – Compare & Claim Your Welcome Offer

The UK online casino market never stands still. By 2026, first deposit bonuses have evolved beyond the tired 100%-match-and-ten-quid-free. Operators now compete with hybrid packages, cashback on first losses, and no-wagering surprises that actually let you keep what you win. But too many punters still chase the biggest percentage without reading the small print.

That’s where this guide earns its keep. We’ve spent weeks stress-testing welcome offers across licensed UK casinos—checking wagering, game weightings, max cashout caps, and withdrawal speed. No fluff. No affiliate blind spots.

Below you’ll find a clarity-first ranking of the 10 best first deposit bonuses available right now, plus a straight-talking breakdown of the terms that matter. Use the comparison table, read the reviews, and pick the bonus that fits your style—not the one that glitters hardest.

Quick Comparison: Best First Deposit Bonuses at a Glance

Start here. The table gives you a side‑by‑side view of the standout offers. Don’t just glance at the bonus column—scroll right to see the wagering requirement and the key condition that either makes or breaks the deal.

Casino	First Deposit Bonus	Wagering	Min Deposit	Standout Feature
Bet365 Casino	100% up to £100 + 50 Free Spins	20x bonus	£10	No max cashout on bonus
888casino	100% up to £200	30x	£10	£88 free play on registration
LeoVegas	100% up to £50 + 50 Free Spins	35x	£10	Fastest payouts (0–24h)
Grosvenor Casino	Deposit £20, get £30 Bonus	5x on bonus	£20	Lowest wagering on the list
Casumo	100% up to £25 + 20 Free Spins	30x	£10	No wagering spins winnings
Mr Green	100% up to £100 + 100 Free Spins	35x	£20	Full NetEnt slot selection
William Hill Casino	100% up to £300	40x	£10	High max bonus cap
BetVictor	100% up to £200 + 10 Free Spins	35x	£10	Bet £10, get £70 live casino
Unibet Casino	100% up to £40 + £10 Casino Bonus	25x	£10	Second chance up to £200
32Red	150% up to £150	50x	£10	Regular VIP reload bonuses

The table is your snapshot—keep it open while you read the deep dives. We’ll call out which bonuses are genuinely player‑friendly and which ones look generous until you reach the cashout wall.

Top 10 UK Casinos with the Best First Deposit Bonuses 2026

Here’s where we get forensic. Each of these casinos holds a valid UK Gambling Commission licence, processes withdrawals in GBP, and passes our ‘real‑world usability’ checks—no bonus banned from your favourite slots, no deliberate payout delays. Let’s break them down.

1. Bet365 Casino

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £100 + 50 Free Spins (wagering: 20x bonus). Minimum deposit £10.

Bet365 doesn’t mess about with convoluted multi‑tier offers. The welcome package is a clean player‑friendly boost. The 20x wagering on the bonus amount (not deposit+bonus) is comfortably below the UK average of 35x, and there’s no maximum cap on what you can convert from bonus funds to cash. That last point is rare—many operators impose a £100–£200 ceiling irrespective of your win. The bonus is valid for 30 days, and the free spins are released in batches of 10 over five days on selected slots that include fan favourites like Starburst and Book of Dead. Bet365 also scores high on payout reliability: e‑wallet withdrawals rarely exceed 24 hours, and the site’s navigation is intuitive enough that you won’t waste fifteen minutes hunting for the cashier. The only real trade‑off is a modest free spins allocation compared to flashier rivals, but the low wagering and no‑cap policy more than compensate.

2. 888casino

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £200 (wagering: 30x). Minimum deposit £10. Plus £88 free play on registration with no deposit required.

888casino’s welcome proposition is a two‑part affair: the no‑deposit £88 free play lands before you even fund your account, and the first deposit match gives you a healthy £200 ceiling. The no‑deposit element has a 50x wagering requirement and a max cashout of £15—it’s a teaser, not a retirement fund, but it’s real money you can withdraw after meeting the playthrough. The deposit match carries 30x wagering on the bonus, and slots contribute 100% while table games sit at 10%–20%. The platform is renowned for its in‑house exclusive games, so if you’re tired of NetEnt reruns, 888 holds your attention longer. Payout speeds are decent (1–3 days for e‑wallets), and the support team answers live chat within a minute during peak hours. The main annoyance is the bonus validity period of 14 days—shorter than the industry’s 30‑day benchmark, so don’t wait to use it.

3. LeoVegas

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £50 + 50 Free Spins (wagering: 35x). Minimum deposit £10.

LeoVegas built its reputation on mobile speed, and the bonus terms mirror that no‑friction philosophy. The offer is modest—£50 cap plus 50 spins—but the 35x wagering applies to the bonus only, and free spins winnings carry zero wagering. The spins are credited instantly and can be used on any NetEnt slot. LeoVegas also consistently leads the UK market in payout speed: PayPal and Skrill withdrawals often land in under 6 hours, and even debit card withdrawals rarely breach the 24‑hour mark. The game library is vast and well‑organized, with a live casino section that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The main drawback is the £50 match ceiling; high rollers looking for a four‑figure match will look elsewhere. But for a fast, no‑nonsense bonus with no hidden caps, LeoVegas over‑delivers.

4. Grosvenor Casino

First Deposit Bonus: Deposit £20, get £30 Bonus (wagering: 5x on bonus). Minimum deposit £20.

Grosvenor’s bonus reads like a typo: 5x wagering on the bonus amount. In a market where 35x is standard, that’s practically undressed. You deposit £20, receive a £30 bonus, and must wager £150 before cashing out. The catch? The bonus must be used on Grosvenor’s own live casino tables—not slots. For live dealer enthusiasts, this is a gift; for slot-only players, it’s irrelevant. The bonus is valid for 7 days, and all live games contribute 100%. Grosvenor’s land‑based presence (over 50 UK casinos) means the online experience is backed by a familiar brand, and their responsible gambling tools are best‑in‑class. Payouts are generally processed within 1–2 business days. If you play live blackjack or roulette, this is the UK’s lowest wagering first deposit bonus by a mile.

5. Casumo

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £25 + 20 Free Spins (wagering: 30x). Minimum deposit £10. Free spins winnings have zero wagering.

Casumo’s offer won’t impress the bonus‑chasing crowd with its £25 cap, but the no‑wagering spins are the hook. Each spin is worth £0.10, and whatever you win goes straight to your withdrawable balance—no playthrough, no funny business. The deposit match has standard 30x wagering on the bonus, and the game library is a curated mix of emerging studios and mainstream titles. Casumo’s gamified loyalty programme adds value beyond the welcome bonus, rewarding consistent play with tangible prizes rather than vague “VIP points.” Payouts via PayPal or Trustly are same‑day, and the support team is refreshingly human—no scripted apologies. Just be aware that the £25 match means your effective bankroll boost is small; this bonus suits casual players who value simplicity over spectacle.

6. Mr Green

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £100 + 100 Free Spins (wagering: 35x). Minimum deposit £20.

Mr Green piles on the spins—100 of them, credited in batches of 20 over five days on selected slots (Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, etc.). The deposit match is 100% up to £100, wagered at 35x on the bonus amount. Spins winnings are subject to the same 35x before withdrawal. The maximum bet during wagering is £5, and the bonus is valid for 30 days. Mr Green’s interface is notoriously clean, and their Green Gaming tools let you set personalised loss and session limits. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e‑wallets, and the site’s mobile performance is glossy. The only wart: wagering contributions for table games are a stingy 10%, so stick to slots to clear the requirement. The high spin count makes this the top pick for slot aficionados who don’t mind a bit of playthrough.

7. William Hill Casino

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £300 (wagering: 40x). Minimum deposit £10.

William Hill keeps it old‑school: a straight 100% match with no free spins, but a beefy £300 ceiling. The 40x wagering on the bonus is on the high side, but that’s offset by the site’s reliability and the sheer volume of slots and live tables. The bonus is valid for 30 days, and most slots contribute 100%. William Hill’s mobile app is one of the most stable in the UK, and the casino benefits from a decades‑old reputation that means payouts are never a guessing game. Debit card withdrawals take 1–3 days, e‑wallets under 24 hours. If you’re a high‑deposit player who wants a single large bonus without juggling spins, this is your match. Just factor in that extra 40x wagering—on a £300 bonus, you’ll need to cycle £12,000 before cashing out.

8. BetVictor

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £200 + 10 Free Spins (wagering: 35x). Minimum deposit £10. Unique live casino bolt‑on: bet £10, get £70 in live dealer bonus.

BetVictor splits its welcome into two distinct tracks. The main deposit match is 100% up to £200 with 35x wagering and 10 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza. The live casino carrot is the differentiator: after your first deposit, wager £10 on any live table and receive a £70 live casino bonus with just 1x wagering. That’s essentially free money if you play live dealer at all. The main bonus must be used within 7 days—shorter than most—so plan accordingly. BetVictor’s platform is bare‑bones but fast, and withdrawals via PayPal clear in hours. The game selection is solid though not as deep as the mega‑brands. For a dual‑track welcome that rewards both slot and live players, BetVictor is a smart play.

9. Unibet Casino

First Deposit Bonus: 100% up to £40 + £10 Casino Bonus (wagering: 25x). Minimum deposit £10. Plus second‑chance bonus up to £200 if you lose your first deposit.

Unibet’s first deposit offer is a head‑scratcher in a good way: a modest match with low 25x wagering, plus a second‑chance safety net. If your first session goes south, Unibet refunds 100% of your first deposit (up to £200) as a bonus—wagered at 35x. This is exceptional for players who hate risk. The initial bonus and the second‑chance bonus cannot be combined; you’ll get one or the other based on your net position after seven days. Unibet’s casino platform is clean, with a heavy focus on live dealer and exclusive titles. Payouts via e‑wallets happen within 12 hours, and the company’s sports‑gambling heritage means the app is built for quick navigation. The £40 match cap is the obvious ceiling—this won’t excite high rollers—but as a risk‑free introduction, it’s peerless.

10. 32Red

First Deposit Bonus: 150% up to £150 (wagering: 50x). Minimum deposit £10.

32Red goes bold with a 150% match—handsome on paper—but the 50x wagering requirement demands attention. You’ll need to wager £225 on a £150 deposit to clear the bonus. Slots contribute 100%, table games 20%, so this is a slot‑heavy offer. The bonus is valid for 30 days, and there’s a max bet of £6.25 during wagering. 32Red’s real value lies in its VIP programme, which unlocks reload bonuses, faster withdrawals, and a dedicated account manager. Payback speed for standard players is average (1–3 days), but VIPs routinely see same‑day processing. The 150% kicker is rare in the UK market, making this a viable option if you can stomach the higher wagering and trust your slot stamina.

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What Is a First Deposit Bonus and How Does It Work?

A first deposit bonus is exactly what the name suggests: a reward casinos give you for funding your account for the first time. It’s not “free money”—that’s the first lie the marketing department tells you. It’s a conditional boost that multiplies your deposit, adds free spins, or gives you cashback on your initial losses. You get it once per casino, per household.

Best Fast Payout Online Casinos UK 2026

When you sign up, you opt into the bonus (always actively opt in—don’t assume it’s applied automatically). You deposit, say, £50, and the casino adds a matching £50 to your bonus balance. That £50 bonus is not withdrawable until you meet the wagering requirement. If the requirement is 30x the bonus, you’ll need to place bets totalling £1,500 before the bonus converts to real cash. Along the way, your real‑money balance might be used first, and only then the bonus funds—another subtlety that catches out beginners. Understanding these mechanics is the difference between profiting and padding the casino’s bottom line.

Types of First Deposit Bonuses Explained

Not all welcome offers are built alike. Recognizing the four main varieties will instantly sharpen your bonus selection.

Deposit Match Bonus

The classic: depositing £100 gets you another £100 in bonus funds. Percentages range from 50% to 200%, and the cap dictates how much extra you can claim. A 100% up to £200 means you get pound‑for‑pound up to £200. Simple, but always check if the wagering applies to the deposit, the bonus, or both. Combined wagering (deposit+bonus) doubles the effective playthrough burden.

Free Spins on First Deposit

Increasingly common as a standalone or attached reward. You might get 50 spins as part of a deposit match, or a package where the entire bonus is 200 spins with no match. Spins are usually valued at £0.10 each on a designated slot. The key is whether spins winnings carry their own wagering—many top casinos now offer “wager‑free spins,” where winnings drop straight into your cash balance. That’s the good stuff.

Cashback on First Deposit

A risk‑averse model: lose your first deposit and the casino returns a portion as a bonus. Unibet’s £200 second‑chance offer is a textbook example. Cashback bonuses almost always have separate wagering (often lower) and give peace of mind. The downside? If you win, you don’t get the cashback, and your initial deposit’s match may be smaller.

No‑Deposit & Hybrid Welcome Packages

While this guide focuses on first deposit bonuses, many casinos (888, for instance) toss in a no‑deposit reward before you purchase. This could be a tiny cash bonus or free play. The wagering on these is high, and cashouts are capped, but they mitigate the “blind date” feel of signing up. When paired with a deposit bonus, you’re essentially getting two bites at the cherry.

How We Test and Rank First Deposit Casino Bonuses

We don’t rank by the flashiest number. Our methodology weighs seven dimensions equally to produce a balanced score. Here’s the breakdown.

• Wagering requirement (20%). Lower is better. We penalize combined deposit+bonus wagering heavily.
• Bonus cap and match percentage (15%). A high cap matters only if the wagering is sane. 200% up to £500 with 50x wagering scores worse than 100% up to £100 with 20x.
• Game eligibility and contribution (15%). A bonus that locks you out of your preferred games is useless. We check RTP weighting and excluded slots.
• Max cashout limit (15%). If a casino caps winnings at £100, even a million‑pound bonus pool is a mirage.
• Validity period (10%). Anything under 14 days is penalised; 30 days is standard.
• Payout speed and reliability (15%). We test withdrawals across PayPal, Skrill, and debit cards and average the turnaround.
• Platform quality and support (10%). Slow apps, limited live chat hours, and a clumsy KYC process all drag the score down.

Each casino in our top‑10 table passed these checks in real‑world testing. The scores are regenerated quarterly, so the ranking reflects conditions in early 2026.

First Deposit Bonus on Slots: Best Slot Welcome Offers

Slot players have the most to gain—and the most to lose—from first deposit bonuses. Most wagering contributions heavily favour slots (100% vs 10–20% for table games), which means you’ll clear requirements faster. But not all slots are equal. Some casinos exclude high‑RTP titles like Blood Suckers from bonus play; others restrict the entire NetEnt catalogue. Always check the “excluded games” list before depositing.

Our top pick for slot‑exclusive bonuses remains Mr Green for its 100‑spin package on full‑weight NetEnt games. Casumo’s wager‑free spins are a close second for the zero‑wagering advantage. Beyond those, keep an eye on the max bet limit during wagering—most casinos cap it at £5 per spin. Exceed that, and your bonus could be voided retroactively. A painful lesson that flash wins teach nobody.

Live Casino First Deposit Bonus

Live dealer fans have historically drawn the short straw on welcome bonuses. Table game contributions are often a miserable 10%–20%, rendering the wagering requirement practically unattainable. That’s why Grosvenor’s 5x live‑only bonus is a standout. It’s purpose‑built for roulette and blackjack players, and because the wagering is so low, you can actually meet it without grinding for weeks.

BetVictor’s live bolt‑on—wager £10, get £70 live bonus with 1x wagering—is equally clever. It bypasses the main bonus’s slot bias and gives live players a direct reward. If neither appeals, look for casinos that explicitly list live game contributions at 50% or higher—they exist but are rare. Avoid any bonus where the terms state “slots only” if you prefer the live felt.

Mobile Casino First Deposit Bonuses

Every casino in our top 10 works on mobile, but a few optimise the bonus experience for the phone. LeoVegas, originator of the “mobile casino” identity, tailors its welcome flow for one‑hand navigation. The deposit bonus is claimed directly from the app, and free spins load without a separate pop‑up. Mr Green and Casumo also deliver silky‑smooth mobile journeys.

No bonus is exclusively “mobile‑only” among UK‑licensed casinos—that would breach platform neutrality rules—but some smaller operators incentivise app downloads with extra spins. Unless you’re keen on an extra 10 spins, don’t base your decision on app‑specific gimmicks. More important is whether the mobile client supports the full game library and live chat during bonus play. Nothing deflates a bonus session like a crashed game and a support ticket that takes three days.

Low Deposit & £1 First Deposit Casinos

Low deposit bonuses cater to cautious players and budget‑conscious explorers. While a £1 first deposit casino was once a UK novelty, tighter regulation and higher payment processing costs have made them scarce. As of 2026, only a handful of small brands accept a £1–£5 initial deposit, and their bonuses are usually minimal—10 free spins or a 50% match up to £10.

Our list includes several £10 minimum deposit casinos that offer full match bonuses (Bet365, 888, LeoVegas, and others). That’s the sweet spot—low enough to test the waters without feeling like pocket change. Grosvenor requires £20, but the 5x wagering on a £30 bonus makes that extra tenner a strategic investment. If you insist on sub‑£5 deposits, expect heavily capped bonuses with punitive wagering. Casinos aren’t charities, and micro‑deposits rarely unlock anything worth chasing.

Best High Roller Casino with Bonus UK 2026 – Expert Rankings

No Wagering First Deposit Bonuses

“No wagering” is the Holy Grail—and in the UK, it’s more myth than reality. True £0‑wagering first deposit bonuses simply don’t exist at licensed UK casinos in 2026. The closest you’ll get are bonuses with wager‑free free spins, like Casumo’s, where only the spins winnings bypass playthrough. Some operators also offer “cash spins” or “instant withdrawals” on small amounts, but the deposit match itself still carries a requirement.

The regulatory reason is clear: the UK Gambling Commission views unconditional cash handouts as a risk‑to‑player problem. So casinos disguise the wagering behind time‑limited bonuses or capped cashouts. If you see “no wagering” plastered on a UK landing page, read the fine print—there’s almost certainly a cap, a minimum odds clause, or a limited window. The smart play is to treat “no wagering” claims as a clue to dig deeper, not a stamp of approval.

Crypto & Bitcoin First Deposit Bonuses for UK Players

Cryptocurrency casinos operate in a legal grey zone in the UK. None of the operators on our top‑10 list accept Bitcoin as a direct deposit method for casino bonuses, because the UK Gambling Commission does not license crypto‑native platforms. That said, offshore crypto casinos often dangle enormous first deposit matches—200% up to 1 BTC—with minimal KYC. The trade‑off is zero regulatory protection. If a crypto casino vanishes with your funds, there’s no Financial Ombudsman to call.

For UK players who want the closest thing to a crypto bonus, Bet365 and 888 both support Skrill and Neteller, which in turn can be funded with crypto through third‑party services. But that’s a workaround, not a direct incentive. Our stance: stick to UK‑licensed casinos for deposit bonuses. The protections outweigh the crypto marketing bluster. Until the Commission opens a sandbox for crypto gambling, this corner of the market is best avoided.

UK Gambling Law & First Deposit Bonuses: What’s Legal in 2026

The Gambling Act 2005 (as amended) and subsequent LCCP conditions dictate everything about UK casino bonuses. In 2026, the key rules are:

• No misleading advertising. Terms must be “clear and not obscured” on the same page as the offer. Hidden wagering multipliers are treated as violations.
• Verification before withdrawal, not before play. You can deposit and claim a bonus without KYC, but you must verify identity before your first cashout.
• No auto‑enrolment. Bonuses must be opt‑in. If you accidentally deposit without ticking the box, the casino by law must allow you to withdraw your deposit without penalty.
• Stricter affordability checks. From late 2025, extended affordability assessments are triggered at lower deposit thresholds—a development that may cap the bonus amounts heavy users can claim.

All 10 casinos in our list hold an active UKGC licence, meaning they comply with these rules. If a bonus offer seems too good to be true—say, 500% match with no max cashout—check the licensing number against the UKGC register. Spoiler: it won’t be there.

New Online Casinos with First Deposit Bonus 2026

The UK market saw a small wave of brand‑new entrants in late 2025 and early 2026, though the regulator’s glacial approval process means genuinely new casinos are rare. Among the fresh faces, ZetBet Casino and Slots ‘n’ Play launched with aggressive 200% first deposit bonuses up to £50—but both wagered at 45x with a £5 max bet and a £100 cashout cap. Not worth the fanfare.

Established operators are the safer bet for welcome bonuses. Their terms have been stress‑tested by complaints, and their payment infrastructure is proven. New casinos often run on white‑label platforms with cookie‑cutter bonus structures and limited live chat support. Unless you have a strong reason to try a newcomer (and a tolerance for teething problems), stick with the seasoned brands in our table.

How to Claim Your First Deposit Bonus – Step‑by‑Step

Getting a bonus right takes five minutes if you’re methodical. Do this:

1. Pick a casino from our list. Click through to the offer page and read the full terms—don’t skim.
2. Register and verify your email. Use accurate details; mismatch now means KYC rejection later.
3. Opt into the welcome bonus. Look for a checkbox during deposit or in the “My Offers” section.
4. Deposit at least the minimum, using a payment method that doesn’t exclude bonuses. Skrill/Neteller sometimes disqualify you—check the small print.
5. Claim free spins immediately. If spins aren’t credited, contact support before playing further.
6. Track wagering progress in the cashier. Stop when you’ve met the requirement—excess play eats into withdrawable cash.

Seems simple, yet a surprising number of players lose bonuses by ignoring step one. Terms aren’t decoration; they’re the contract you accept with a deposit.

First Deposit Bonus Terms: Wagering, Max Cashout, Game Contributions

Three terms dictate whether a bonus is worth the effort.

Wagering Requirement

Expressed as a multiplier (e.g., 35x). It’s applied to either the bonus alone or the bonus plus deposit. 888’s 30x on a £100 bonus means £3,000 in bets. Bet365’s 20x on the same bonus means £2,000. The lower, the better. Avoid anything above 40x unless the other terms are pristine.

Maximum Cashout

Some bonuses cap the amount you can withdraw from bonus winnings, regardless of your balance. A £100 cap on a £200 match is a “thank‑you” that says “you won’t get rich.” Our picks all have no‑cap or very high caps. Always confirm this in the terms before depositing.

Game Weighting

Slots usually 100%. Table games 5–20%. Live games often 0–10%. If you play only blackjack, a bonus with 5% contribution is effectively unwagable. Use the bonus on slots or accept that you’re donating your deposit to the house edge.

Responsible Gambling and Deposit Limits

First deposit bonuses exist to acquire customers, and the industry knows that the majority of new depositors lose their bonus—and often their deposit—within the wagering period. That’s not cynicism; that’s the math. Set a deposit budget before you even look at the bonus table. If £50 feels like a stretch, choose a £10 minimum deposit offer and walk away if the wagering feels like a chore.

All UK‑licensed casinos must provide deposit limits, reality checks, and self‑exclusion tools. Use them. The “best” first deposit bonus is the one that enhances your entertainment without pushing you into a chase. No bonus is worth a Monday morning regret spiral. Visit GamStop or GambleAware if you feel control slipping—they exist for a reason.

FAQ

What is the best first deposit bonus in the UK right now?

The best overall first deposit bonus depends on your play style, but Bet365’s 100% up to £100 + 50 free spins with 20x wagering leads the field for its low wagering and no cashout cap. Slot enthusiasts will lean towards Mr Green’s 100 spins, while live casino players should grab Grosvenor’s 5x wagering £30 bonus.

Can I withdraw my first deposit bonus immediately?

No. All first deposit bonuses are locked behind wagering requirements. You must bet the required multiplier before the bonus converts to withdrawable cash. Attempting a withdrawal before clearing the requirement typically forfeits the bonus and any associated winnings.

Do all UK casinos offer a first deposit bonus?

Not all, but the majority do. Some no‑nonsense casinos like Betfred or smaller independent operators may skip the welcome bonus entirely, preferring to attract players through game variety or loyalty perks. Our table lists only those with active, competitive first deposit bonuses.

What happens if I don’t use my first deposit bonus before it expires?

The bonus and any winnings derived from it are forfeited. Validity periods range from 7 to 30 days. The clock starts from the moment you receive the bonus, not from your first bet, so plan your play sessions to clear the requirement well within the deadline.

Are first deposit bonuses worth it for low rollers?

Yes, if you pick bonuses with low minimum deposits and low wagering. Grosvenor’s £20 deposit for a £30 bonus with 5x wagering is excellent value for a small outlay. Avoid high‑cap bonuses that require large deposits to maximise the match—you’ll end up over‑committing for a marginal boost.