How Soon is Soon?

What’s in a word?

So how soon is soon?

Bet21.com has recently (within the past 3 (three) days) changed their promo page. They currently offer deposit bonus for new account deposits up to $350 (down from the original $650).

Wow, what a deal. Bet21.com, whose motto is, the Place to play elimination Blackjack” and “as seen on the Ultimate Blackjack Tour” is offering new players a chance to get $350!

But hold on there – let’s look at the fine print shall we?

When you click on the link it states, “…we’re giving all new first time depositors a 100% Deposit Bonus for poker.

NOTE: Blackjack Bonus Dollars are coming soon!” (yellow highligher)

Well at least they (Bet21.com) is finally being honest. But now the question becomes, how soon is soon?

soon /sun/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[soon] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb, -er, -est.
1. within a short period after this or that time, event, etc.: We shall know soon after he calls.

2. before long; in the near future; at an early date: Let's leave soon.

3. promptly or quickly: He came as soon as he could.

4. readily or willingly: I would as soon walk as ride.

5. early in a period of time; before the time specified is much advanced: soon at night; soon in the evening.

6. Obsolete. immediately; at once; forthwith.
—Idioms

7. sooner or later, eventually: Sooner or later his luck will run out.

8. would sooner, to prefer to: I would sooner not go to their party. Compare rather (def. 8).
[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE sōna; c. OHG sān, Goth suns ]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006

If you had opened a Bet21.com account when you click on the Pending Bonus link here is what it says, “You can convert bonus dollars by playing in Elimination Blackjack™ and poker tournaments and Sit 'n' Gos. Bonus dollars will be converted to real money for play on the site at the rate of $1 for every 30 Bet21 points you earn at our Elimination Blackjack and poker tournaments and Sit 'n' Gos. Bonus dollars will be converted to real money for play on the site at the rate $1 per every ten Bet21 points you earn at our Raked Poker Ring Games table. You can see how many pending bonus dollars you have by clicking on "My Account" within the Bet21 Lobby. Pending bonus dollars are listed under your Real Money Account Information. One bonus per person. This bonus offer is available to new players only. Players that deposit and withdraw bonus dollars without significant amount of play will be required to forfeit their bonus dollars. Subject to change.
Copyright 2006 Bet21.com All Rights Reserved. Bet21.com are trademark owned by Blast Off Limited”

Now what is it? Can you convert bonus dollars or not?

A quasi representative for Bet21.com told a well known blackjack tournament site that he had spoken to Bet21.com. In December 2006 this gentleman posted this:

“The deposit bonuses that are due players that have new and recent deposits, will appear in your account and be available to use in 2 to 3 weeks at the most.All players who signed up when Bet 21 first came on line, will receive all their due bonuses retro active from Day 1 of their deposit.As this will take some addition time to check all play from the beginning, they have told me ALL owed bonus money will be resolved by Jan. 1, 2007, at the latest.”

That was posted on November 19, 2006.

So my original question remains, how soon is soon?

I guess that depends upon the meaning of the word is right?

[for the uninitiated click here for another famous use of words by former President Clinton http://www.slate.com/id/1000162/]