UPDATE! Get a Betakeys simple and free! Do a pre-order on gamestop.com for in-store pickup, they dont charge you untill you pick up your copy.
within a day you should receive your beta key in your email that you used during the pre-order!
You do need a Visa or credit card to pre-rder! but they will not charge, and after you get your key you can even cancel your pre-order!
About 32 players can join in to play Bad Company 2 Beta for PC