Best Online Poker UK 2024

1
  • Functional mobile app
  • Proved safety and security
  • Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission

Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F – A qualifying bet is a “real money” stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market – Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) – Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days – Free bet stakes are not included in returns – Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days.
To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Wager requirements vary by game.
Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&C’s apply.

2
  • Excellent player base
  • Wide variety of tournaments and other games
  • Access to casinos and sportsbook betting

Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

3
  • One of the largest online poker sites
  • Excellent mobile app with all tournaments and games
  • High-stakes games 24/7

The offer only applies to the first deposit of £10 or more. Use bonus code ‘TWENTY’. Terms and Conditions apply

4
  • Variety of gaming options
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Easy to use interface

18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 35x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply.

5
  • Mobile application for iOS and Android users
  • Ease of deposits
  • Fun tournaments and events for players

18+. First Deposit Only. Valid on deposits between $50 and $1,000. Players have 30 days to release their bonus funds. Any bonus funds not released in this time will be forfeited. Full Terms of Service Apply.

6
  • Multi-tabling with table customization
  • Instant playable with iOS and Android apps available
  • Several tournaments and freerolls

Opt-in required. X1 per customer. New customers only, min first deposit/transfer £10 to poker account. Game restrictions and Terms Apply. WHPoints to redeem Bonus (two stage redemption rate), expires in 45 days. Bonus Spins: x40 wagering. expires in 14 days, Max redemption £20. Terms Apply.

7
  • Many game options
  • Excellent interface
  • Lots of bonus and promotions

New Paddy Power Poker customers only. Play £20 worth of Tournaments, Twisters or SitnGos to release a £40 Bonus. TnCs apply

8
  • Mobile application available
  • Many types of cryptocurrencies accepted
  • Fun live tournaments

18+.  Minimum deposit of $50 using code NEWBOL. begambleaware.org. Full ToS apply.

9
  • Mobile application available for Android and iOS
  • Softer tables available, increasing chances of a payout
  • Quick 24-hour withdrawal options

New customers only, 18+. Time limits, exclusions and Terms and Conditions apply.

10
  • Exclusive for the European market
  • Tournaments with varying levels of buy-ins
  • 30 free tournaments

New customers only, limited to one per person. If you’ve previously had a Betfair account, you will not qualify for the offer. T&Cs apply.

11
  • Good user interface
  • Plenty of game options
  • Great customer service

18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x 5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

12
  • Straightforward and easy to use interface
  • 24/7 live chat option and online support
  • Access to iPoker network

18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply.

13
  • Mobile application available for all popular platforms
  • One of the oldest online poker operators with over 11 years of experience and high traffic
  • Excellent security to protect players and their finances

18+. New Customers Only. Full ToS apply.

14
  • New schedule with massive live tours
  • Quick cash games for recreational players with semi-anonymous tables
  • Several promotions all year long

18+; new players only; min $10 deposit; $10 or $30 Free Play generated as tickets. 7-day ticket expiry. Full T&Cs apply.

15
  • Integrated skating function
  • Discounts for using a mobile app
  • Feature to disable hand tracking available, keeping games intense and interesting

18+; Welcome Bonus and Honeymoon promotion for new players only. Available only to new players that make an initial deposit. The minimum deposit necessary to obtain a matched bonus is £10, or if a player chooses the $100 in rewards the minimum deposit necessary is £20. GGPoker standard rules and ToS apply.

888poker UK

888 Poker logo Key Benefits
  • Plenty of payment options including Bitcoin
  • Functional mobile app
  • Quick withdrawal process
Claim bonus More details

888poker UK

888poker UK is one of the highest-rated online poker platforms, offering players an excellent online poker experience. Having been on the market for over 23 years, 888poker has over ten million players from different parts of the world. The site is never short of fun and exciting opportunities.

The platform is fast and easy to use, providing customers with a fast and secure deposit and withdrawal system. In fact, throughout its lifespan, it has never had a major security breach, proving the company’s safety and security. 888poker also holds a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.

Here you can enjoy an impressive range of games, including Fixed, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot, Seven-Card Stud Poker, Omaha Hi-Lo, and many more. Moreover, the platform has recently introduced new games and variants, revealing webcam games, where players can opt to keep their video on or off. You also get a wide range of tournaments, including the regular one, The Whale.

New players also receive an impressive 100% welcome bonus of up to £300. You can pay via Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Paypal, and even Bitcoin. The average withdrawal processing time is three days, which is impressive. If you have any more questions, you can reach out to customer support through live chat, email contact form, or a live advice helpline.

888 Poker logo
Key Benefits
  • Plenty of payment options including Bitcoin
  • Functional mobile app
  • Quick withdrawal process
Claim bonus More details

Bet365 Poker UK

bet365 poker logo Key Benefits
  • Extensive number of games
  • Live betting
  • Outstanding navigation
Claim bonus More details

Bet365 Poker UK

Bet365 is one of a few sites on the exclusive iPoker network, offering an above-average traffic volume. It is a pretty popular online poker platform with several attractive and useful features, catering to players of all levels and from different countries.

The operator provides an impressive range of poker games and variants, including the famous Twister Sit & Gos, Big 2, Chinese Poker, and Short Deck Hold ’em. Bet365 holds guaranteed daily and weekly tournaments, the stakes for which vary. To play Bet365 poker, download an easy-to-use and functional mobile app available for Android and iOS users. Alternatively, you can use the desktop version of the site.

Bet365 deposit options include Neteller, PaySafeCard, MasterCard, Bank Wire, Visa, Maestro, Trustly, Euteller, Skrill, PayPal, and Fast Bank Transfer. You can cash in your earnings through MasterCard, PayPal, Maestro, Bank Wire, Neteller, Cheque, Skrill, Visa, and Trustly.

The platform provides a 100% welcome bonus of up to £326.

bet365 poker logo
Key Benefits
  • Extensive number of games
  • Live betting
  • Outstanding navigation
Claim bonus More details

PokerStars Poker UK

PokerStars Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Secure and safe platform
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Excellent game selection
Claim bonus More details

PokerStars Poker UK

PokerStars UK has been around since 2001. Actually, it is one of the very few online poker sites with solely by-the-book operations accessible only in licensed countries. 

PokerStars is considered one of the biggest online poker sites, offering dozens of games at varying limits. It includes round-the-clock cash games and regular games, such as Texas Hold’em, Stud, Triple Draw, Courchevel, Five-Card Draw, Triple Stud, Omaha, H.O.R.S.E., Badugi, and Razz. You also get access to various tournaments, including the weekly Sunday tournament of around £737,000 ($1 million).

Moreover, new players receive a welcome bonus of around £441 and £22 on free play.

You can make a deposit through various methods, including Bank Draft, Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, Bank Transfer (local and online), PaySafeCard, Giropay, Boleta, Astropay, Instadebit, Instant e-checks, Trustly, Sofort, Qiwi, and Yandex Money. Regarding the cash payouts, they’re available through Bank Draft, Neteller, Visa, Instant eChecks, Skrill, EntroPay, PayPal, WebMoney, Qiwi, Instadebit, and Yandex Money. 

The only downside to the site is that it offers minimal customer service and is only reachable via email. Another common complaint by players is that the platform runs very tight cash games.

PokerStars Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Secure and safe platform
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Excellent game selection
Claim bonus More details

Unibet Poker UK

Unibet Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Excellent for beginners
  • Competitive odds
  • In-play betting service
Claim bonus More details

Unibet Poker UK

Unibet Poker UK is a trusted site that is a part of a larger network. It is an all-in-one gaming platform, which offers players much more than just poker. It includes:

  • Poker room
  • Casino
  • Live casino
  • Sportsman book
  • Bingo

Some of the products are for sure better than others, but the entire range is nothing short of impressive.

You can make a deposit into your Unibet account through Visa, Bank Transfer, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Debit and Credit Cards, PayPal, PaySafeCard, and Entropay. The minimum deposit amount is £5, and the maximum is £10,000. Withdrawal options include Bank Transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Skrill, and Neteller. Cashout time is anywhere between three to ten days. The minimum limit for cashout is £15, and the maximum is £15,000. 

New players are eligible for a welcome poker bonus of up to £430. You also get access to multiple promotional discounts all year round, including the bounty freerolls and the Pot Limit Omaha MTTs (multi-table tournaments). Additionally, the platform referral program offers different bonuses and discounts. 

Unibet Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Excellent for beginners
  • Competitive odds
  • In-play betting service
Claim bonus More details

SportsBetting.ag Poker UK

Sports Betting Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Variety of deposit options
  • Excellent welcome and reload bonuses
  • Fun tournaments and events
Claim bonus More details

SportsBetting.ag Poker UK

SportsBetting Poker is a fun experience that was relaunched in 2012 with updated features. The platform provides upfront offers, great deposits, and updated gameplay. It is known for fun tournaments with multiple tables running at the same time.

SportsBetting is famous for having one of the best credit card processing in the industry. It has the fewest declined transactions, and the deposits are super easy. Moreover, you can use Bitcoin without any deposit fees.

The best thing is that you can partake in games with people you don’t know. Playing games with many beginners can result in above-average payouts for better players.

SportsBetting has a huge variety of bonuses that may take us all day just to list down. The operator offers more than 20 bonuses, including a 50% welcome bonus and a high stake bonus. It also provides a mobile app for iOS and Android users.

Sports Betting Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Variety of deposit options
  • Excellent welcome and reload bonuses
  • Fun tournaments and events
Claim bonus More details

William Hill Poker UK

William Hill Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Instant payouts
  • Excellent customer support
  • One account for all William Hill products
Claim bonus More details

William Hill Poker UK

William Hill Poker has been around for years, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the platform ventured into online poker, offering secure betting. It is now part of the iPoker network, so you can rest assured there will never be a shortage of players. 

Some of the regular tournaments include MTTs (multi-table tournaments), Progressive Bounty (knockout prizes), Freezeout (one chance), Rebuy Tournaments, and Satellites (qualify through another lower-buy-in tournament). Here, you will mostly find different tournaments and cash game variants of Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.

William Hill offers one of the safest and fastest deposits and withdrawal systems. The platform processes deposits almost instantly, while withdrawals take around four to ten hours. There is also William Hill Poker instant play available for PC and Mac.

Every newcomer to the platform can avail the welcome bonus worth £100, entry packages for twister tournaments, and ten bonus spins. Players also enjoy a wide range of benefits and promotional discounts through seasonal promotions and the loyalty program.

William Hill Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Instant payouts
  • Excellent customer support
  • One account for all William Hill products
Claim bonus More details

PaddyPower Poker UK

Paddy Power Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • User-friendly interface
  • Daily live tournaments
  • Excellent promotions
Claim bonus More details

PaddyPower Poker UK

Paddy Power was established back in 1988 and soon became a renowned name in the gambling industry in Ireland. From a betting service over the phone, it shifted to online betting operations and real stores. Paddy Power was actually one of the first gambling brands to appear on the internet in the early 2000s. After introducing the first poker room in 2005, it has been unstoppable since.

Paddy Power offers daily live tournaments and has even become integral to the famous Irish Poker Open. Keeping in line with the digitalization that it’s known for, it also has a dedicated mobile app available for Android and iOS users. The accepted payment methods include Neteller, Credit Cards, Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Skrill.

Aside from that, the site’s welcome bonus is quite interesting, with growing prize money after every few increments.

Paddy Power Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • User-friendly interface
  • Daily live tournaments
  • Excellent promotions
Claim bonus More details

BetOnline.ag Poker UK

BetOnline AG Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Cryptocurrencies accepted
  • Fun live tournaments
  • Quick payouts
Claim bonus More details

BetOnline.ag Poker UK

BetOnline Poker is a popular poker website known all over the world. Founded in 1991, it launched the online poker platform only in 2011. It offers a huge range of bonuses,  tournaments, fun challenges, and even freerolls for beginners.

However, there have been some concerns surrounding its UK branch. The company had some security issues and even complaints regarding the gameplay. Therefore, we are not ranking BetOnline.ag high in our best poker sites UK review. It is licensed in Panama and not in the UK, which shows that it may not be as heavily regulated as other operators.

The platform does have a mobile application that is pretty easy to use, though. BetOnline accepts Credit Cards, Cryptocurrencies, Bank Transfers, Cheques, Skrill, and Neteller. It also offers up to $1,000 in welcome bonuses as well as other jackpots.

BetOnline AG Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Cryptocurrencies accepted
  • Fun live tournaments
  • Quick payouts
Claim bonus More details

TigerGaming Poker UK

TigerGaming Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Bitcoin accepted
  • Soft tables available
  • 24-hour withdrawal options
Claim bonus More details

TigerGaming Poker UK

Founded in 1999, TigerGaming Poker definitely has high standards that have been established for a very long time. It is known for quick and safe withdrawal and deposit options. Their software is lauded as reliable and bug-free, making the gameplay easy. TigerGaming is not as popular as some of the other sites mentioned above, but it does provide good perks and soft tables. There is also a mobile application available for Android and iOS phones.

The online platform is based on the Chico Poker Network, which offers such games as Pot-Limit Omaha, No-Limit Hold’em, Chinese Poker, and even Big2. You also get to participate in leaderboard competitions. 

TigerGaming withdrawals take 24 hours. The platform also has a loyalty program as well as monthly $10,000 freerolls. Moreover, you can receive a 100% bonus of up to $1,000 if you deposit a minimum of $50.

TigerGaming Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Bitcoin accepted
  • Soft tables available
  • 24-hour withdrawal options
Claim bonus More details

Betfair Poker UK

Betfair Poker Llogo Key Benefits
  • One account for all Betfair products
  • Excellent customer support
  • User-friendly interface
Claim bonus More details

Betfair Poker UK

Betfair has a lot to offer its players, including good competition and regulations. It is part of the iPoker network and is owned and operated by one of the biggest global sports exchanges, The Sporting Exchange Limited. If you are searching for a reliable operator, Betfair is one of the best available options.

Betfair uses efficient and well-designed software with a user-friendly interface. The platform is exclusive to the European market. 

Betfair also provides several unique features, including the ability to host private games if you do not want to play with strangers. Other perks include several tournaments with different buy-ins, varying from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds. If you don’t want to pay your way in, you can try your luck at one of the 30 free tournaments that the platform hosts every year.

There are a lot of Betfair bonuses, including a 200% welcome bonus of up to €200. You can also play one of the welcome missions to get additional Betfair tokens for free games and a few other perks.

Betfair Poker Llogo
Key Benefits
  • One account for all Betfair products
  • Excellent customer support
  • User-friendly interface
Claim bonus More details

Ladbrokes Poker UK

Ladbrokes Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Live-in betting
  • Excellent variety of tournaments
  • Elaborate loyalty program
Claim bonus More details

Ladbrokes Poker UK

If variety is what you seek, Ladbrokes is the perfect platform for you. Here you get poker rooms, sportsbooks, in-play betting, lottery, bingo, betting exchange, casino side games, and horse racing grid. Ladbrokes is also a part of the iPoker network; hence it provides high volume traffic to its players, especially at prime time when the platform shares the player pool with other poker sites.

Poker games and variations offered by Ladbroke are Omaha, Speed Poker, Texas Hold ’em, Short deck, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, and Seven-Card Stud. The Poker Bet is a unique game that allows players to win money by placing innovative bets among themselves. The platform hosts a wide range of tournaments with buy-ins of varying values at different levels. Players also get access to a decent number of freerolls.

Deposit options include Bank Wire, PaySafeCard, Neteller, Visa, MasterCard, Sofort, and Skrill. You can cash out via Bank Wire and Skrill. 

New players can get £22 in tickets as a welcome bonus on a minimum £20 stake. The platform also offers an elaborate loyalty program and releases various promotional discounts all year round.

Ladbrokes Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Live-in betting
  • Excellent variety of tournaments
  • Elaborate loyalty program
Claim bonus More details

Coral Poker UK

Coral Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Access to iPoker
  • Many tables available 24/7
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal options
Claim bonus More details

Coral Poker UK

Coral Poker is part of Coral UK, one of Europe’s largest gaming and betting platforms. In fact, Ladbrokes, too, falls under Coral UK’s administration, along with Gala. Being a part of one of the largest platforms provides customers with numerous benefits.

Players get access to daily jackpots, great incentives, an amazing sign-up bonus, excellent customer service, and access to a secure, functional, and reliable network. Moreover, punters also enjoy a variety of bonuses and promotional discounts, including:

  • Reload bonus
  • Coral poker bonus
  • Coral PayDay Payback bonus
  • Casino Bonus

Coral is also part of the iPoker network, so you can enjoy a variety of games with a huge network of players from across the globe. The platform offers an excellent tournament schedule and several games, including Texas Hold’em, Stud, and Omaha. What’s more, players can access 30 free daily tournaments and iPoker network games such as the 6+ Hold’em, Speed Poker, and Jackpot Twister Sit & Gos. With the Coral app, you can also enjoy a game of poker on the go.

You can deposit money through various methods, including PaySafeCard, Neteller, Visa, Maestro, Skrill, EcoPayz, and MasterCard. For withdrawals, you can go for the same options plus Bank Wire. 

Coral Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Access to iPoker
  • Many tables available 24/7
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal options
Claim bonus More details

Betsafe Poker UK

Betsafe Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Competitive commission
  • Excellent security
  • Live streaming available
Claim bonus More details

Betsafe Poker UK

Betsafe Poker is a popular online poker platform that has incorporated new poker skins from the iPoker network. Developed in 2006, it boasts years of successful poker experience. It is a trusted website operated by Betsson, an iGaming company. Betsafe has arguably the biggest poker network in the world, offering great traffic all the time, so you can play whenever you like.

Betsafe UK has a mobile application compatible with iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. The platform also provides multiple withdrawal and deposit options, ensuring a quick and safe process. You can use Skrill, ecoPayz, Neteller, Bank Transfer, and Credit Cards. Betsafe invests a lot in security to make sure that players and their money are protected.

Betsafe hosts daily events on the platform with many amazing tournaments such as:

  • The Main Sweat for €50 with €12,000 GTD
  • €12,000 First of Fury with a buy-in of €20
  • The Main Sunday Sweat for €100 with €40,000 GTD
  •  €50,000 GTD Ultimate Sweat with a buy-in of €100

Betsafe provides a 100% welcome bonus of up to €2,000.

Betsafe Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Competitive commission
  • Excellent security
  • Live streaming available
Claim bonus More details

PartyPoker UK

partypoker Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • Plenty of bonuses and promotions
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Very functional mobile app
Claim bonus More details

PartyPoker UK

PartyPoker has seen its fair share of ups and downs ever since its establishment in 2001. However, after years of struggle, the platform updated its software, brought back its flagship events, and is now one of the best online UK poker sites. Players can enjoy a unique poker experience on the platform.

Firstly, customers can choose from a wide variety of games, including Shortdeck, SPINS, Fastforward poker, Sit & Gos, and Progressive Knockout games. Secondly, the platform offers a large pool of impressive prizes and tournaments. Besides the sign-up bonus, you also get several loyalty promotions, seasonal rewards, and discounts.

Deposit options include the traditional Visa, MuchBetter, PayPal, Neteller, MasterCard, Skrill, Bank Wire, GiroPay, PayPal, PaySafeCard, ecoPayz, Sofort, Trustly, Maestro, Diners Club Card, and MoneySafe. You can withdraw your cash through Neteller, MasterCard, Bank Wire, PayPal, Diners Club Card, MuchBetter, ecoPayz, Trustly, Skrill, MoneySafe, and Visa. 

For any queries, reach the customer support team via Party Poker live chat.

partypoker Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • Plenty of bonuses and promotions
  • Numerous deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Very functional mobile app
Claim bonus More details

GGPoker UK

GGpoker Poker Logo Key Benefits
  • A few daily MTTs
  • Excellent game variety
  • Numerous offers available
Claim bonus More details

GGPoker UK

GG Poker is one of a few platforms that take extra measures to keep high-risk players away. If you are into action-packed games, GG Poker is ideal for you. Moreover, if you’re looking for a fun and exciting game without interruptions through hand tracking software, go for GG Poker. The platform disables the use of this software, keeping the competition intense.

Players can enjoy a wide range of cash games, tournaments, all-in-or-fold games, and several unique features, such as the integrated skating function. If you play poker primarily for fun, you will absolutely love GG Poker UK. But if you are a serious player, you may want to look at some other operators.

The platform does not offer elaborate deposit options. You can use MasterCard, Visa, Neteller, Bitcoin, and Skrill for both deposits and withdrawals. You also get several bonuses, including welcome bonuses, a first deposit bonus, and a special bonus for downloading the GG Poker app.

GGpoker Poker Logo
Key Benefits
  • A few daily MTTs
  • Excellent game variety
  • Numerous offers available
Claim bonus More details

Our Methodology

 

We’ve conducted an in-depth review of top poker sites UK to present you with an accurate picture of all the operators. 

The process is quite lengthy as we create new accounts for each platform to rate its sign-up process and get a general idea of the website. The next step is to analyze the site’s Terms of Services to ensure there isn’t anything that players should worry about.

Furthermore, we rate the platforms based on how user-friendly their design is as well as consider different professional levels of the operators. We also look into the banking system of each website to make sure that all your financial data is secure. We understand how vital it is since we don’t want you to get scammed out of your hard-earned money. Moreover, we aim to check information regarding the fees, withdrawal process, welcome bonuses, and other financial aspects.

The last step is to find out whether the operator is licensed and under which law. The UK gambling sites must be licensed under the UK gambling commission. If the site is not licensed, we do not consider it valid.

Best Online Poker in the UK:
Everything You Need to Know to Start Gambling Online

Today, online gambling is legal in the United Kingdom. The UK Gambling Commission regulates the industry with clear gambling laws. However, with such a variety of gambling operators, it is sometimes difficult to choose one. Therefore, we’ve made a review of the best poker sites UK to help you make the right choice.

We will rank the most reputable poker companies, highlighting their main features, accepted payment methods, various games, and different bonuses. We will also present a few guidelines on how to choose the best poker operator. Moreover, we will cover poker’s history, common poker jargon, and legalisation of poker in the United Kingdom.

Let’s get started!


How to Choose
the Best Poker Operator?

There is a variety of the best poker sites to choose from. However, you should first understand what your gambling needs are. The following are a few questions you can ask yourself to narrow down your choices:

  • What do you expect from online gambling? 
  • Would you rather play with pros or amateurs? 
  • Are you a beginner? 
  • Do you prefer mobile or desktop play? 
  • Are promotions or welcome bonuses important to you? 
  • What kind of prize pool are you after? 
  • Do you prefer poker tournaments or private poker rooms?

There is no one ultimate website that would suit everyone since different players come to the poker table with their own skills, motivations, and needs.

Short Online Poker History

Poker is definitely the most popular among all card games, having a rich history. Due to technological advancements, it has changed quite a lot, and today, there is a wide variety of the online poker UK sites to choose from. There are single-player poker games as well as other games with the same hand rankings as poker.

The exact origin of the game is still unclear, but a lot of experts agree that poker comes from a 16th-century card game from Persia called As Nas. Persian sailors introduced this game to French settlers in New Orleans. It was similar to the modern stud of five cards, but the players used five suites instead of four. The hand rankings were similar too, such as the three-of-a-kind.

Europeans referred to poker as ‘pochen’ or ‘poque’. The French term ‘poque’ comes from the German word ‘pochen’, which means ‘to knock.’ While the game did emerge from Persians with influence in Europe, it became widespread after the US adopted it.

America was definitely the fuel behind the poker rocket, so to speak. Poker increased steadily in popularity when gambling started to move from frontier towns towards riverboats. During the earlier decades of the 1800s, gambling was quite popular in the South-Western region, but by 1830, the demand had reduced. Many towns passed laws and ordinances to stop gambling, with some kicking out known gamblers.

Hence, gamblers took to trading through steamboats on the Mississippi River. However, the giant roulette wheel was quite heavy to carry on the steamboat. That’s why poker began to get really popular. Eventually, the small deck of 20 cards increased to 52 cards.

Different additions were made to poker during the American Civil War, such as straight, stud poker, and draw poker. The game began to spread globally, especially to Asia, due to the US’s military influence.

Now, the game has truly cemented itself as one of the most popular card games ever, with Texas Hold Em’ poker being the most common one. Moreover, poker is now celebrated as a sport with professional World Series Poker games too.

Common Poker Jargons Explained

You will hear all sorts of terms at a poker table that might confuse you if you don’t know what they mean. Here are all the common poker words you should know.

Bet Bet is the money wagered in a round of play. There may be standard betting amounts that you have to start off with. Call On every turn, you have the option to make four actions: bet, call, fold, or check. To call means to match the ongoing bet or raise more money.
Check Check means that you don’t place a new bet and remain in the hand. You can check only if no one in the round has raised more money. If anyone has, you can either call or fold. Raise Raise means to bet over the amount wagered by the previous player.
Re-raise It’s the second or a subsequent raise during the current betting round.  Check Raise A check-raise is when a player checks the first time in the round but raises upon any bet made during the round. It is a deceptive play that might indicate a strong hand or can also be used as a bluff.
Fold Folding is giving up for the round. You can throw your cards face-down on the table to indicate this too. Only do this if you think your hand is too weak to compete with the others on the board. Ante Ante is a small amount that players place into the pot before the deal. It is mandatory for all players and helps to give some value to the pot. 
Pot It is the sum of all the money wagered by the players. Dealer It is a person who distributes the cards to the players and handles all the actions at the table.
Muck The muck is the discarded cards in a game. When a person folds, it is referred to as throwing their cards ‘into the muck.’ Bluff Bluffing is when players make a bet with an inferior hand. It is either to win money or to disguise their playing patterns.
Draw To draw is when a player continues to play the hand in hopes that it will improve as more cards get revealed. For example, you can draw when you have high odds to get a flush, three-of-a-kind, full house, or straight. Blind It is a forced bet made by a player to the left side of the dealer. There are two types of blinds: big or small. The small blind sits to the left side of the dealer, while the big blind is one more position farther left.
All-In To go all-in means to commit all your chips to the pot. Bust Out Losing all your chips, and subsequently being eliminated from the game.
Royal Flush It is the best hand you can have in the game. You need to have an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit. Straight Flush It is any five cards in a consecutive sequence from the same suit, for instance, 4♦, 5♦, 6♦, 7♦, and 8♦. It is the second-best hand.
Four of a Kind The third best hand of poker is the four of a kind where you need four cards of equal rank plus one card of another rank, for example, J♦,J♠,J♣,J♥ plus 9♣. Full House It is a combination of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. It is the fourth-best hand of the hand rankings.
Flush It is five cards of the same suit that don’t need to be in sequence, such as 4♠, 9♠, Jack♠, 6♠, and 2♠. Straight A straight is five cards in sequence, not necessarily from the same suit.
Three of a Kind For this hand, you need three cards of the same rank and two cards of two other ranks, for example, three 7s, a King, and an Ace. Two Pairs For this hand, you need two pairs of different ranks and one card of the third rank, for instance, a pair of 4s, a pair of 3s, and one King.
Pair It is a hand that consists of two cards of identical rank. High Card It is the weakest poker hand. If no player has made any of the ranks above, then the highest card of the round wins.

Online Gambling Legal Status in the UK

Gambling was first legalized in the UK in 1960 through the Gaming Act, under which only games of skill were allowed. The legalisation led to the opening of around 10,000 betting locations. After the 1968 Gaming Act, betting shops were authorized to offer other kinds of betting games and products, including poker. Furthermore, the 2005 Act presented regulations for online gambling and other sports.

The most recent Act of 2014 enhanced the gambling legislation, adding new options for the UK players, such as live poker. The bill allowed remote operators to provide services in the UK as long as they adhered to the regulations and licensing rules set by the UK Gambling Commission. In 2016, it became legal to use cryptocurrencies for gambling.

It should be noted that the UK Gambling Commission is quite strict. Getting a licence for online websites and casinos, in general, is really hard. However, you need to hold this licence and pay registration fees to run gambling operations in the UK. Moreover, there is a 15% tax on offshore and onshore gambling firms. To avoid losing the licence, the operators should adhere to the rules set by the commission. 

Usually, the players receive protection under the Gamstop system of self-exclusion. However, it’s not available with every operator, so check it out before the sign-up.

Poker Apps and Clients

Bet Safe has the best mobile application for real-money online poker, with really great ratings. It is available on iOS, Windows, Android, Mac, and Linux. If you want to play online poker without betting real cash, you can try Zynga Poker.

Data Security and RNG

The data security of online gambling websites depends on the website you choose to play on. For safety reasons, we recommend using only licensed gambling operators because they use data encryption systems and implement other security practices to protect your data while you play real money poker.

Furthermore, a lot of top poker sites offer a feature of remaining anonymous while playing, which can protect your identity. The websites may also allow you to choose screen names or generate random ones to play with.

Finally, online gambling websites use software designed to imitate real-casino actions through graphics on virtual platforms. The outcomes, however, need to be completely random. That’s where Random Number Generators come in, ensuring fair gameplay close to reality. 

Final Thoughts

The best poker sites UK can guarantee a lot of fun for players who love gambling. Clearly, there are many platforms to choose from, but we hope we have narrowed down the list for you. To make a final decision, think about your gambling needs first. Have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mobile poker app?

If you don’t want to bet money, we recommend the Zynga poker online application. However, if you like the thrill of betting and winning real money, our best-rated bookie is Bet365. Check out our full reviews of the best poker sites in the UK for more information.

Can I play poker for real money on an Android phone?

You definitely can! There are many poker games available for Android phones. Alternatively, many websites are optimized for mobile phones.

Can I play poker for real money on my iPhone?

Definitely! A lot of online poker apps are available on the App Store, and you can download them right now.

How can I be sure that the game is fair?

Licensed gambling operators use the Random Number Generator to ensure fair odds for the players.

How safe is my data?

It really depends on the website you are using. We recommend sticking to the platforms that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Additionally, you can use our review to help you make the right choice.