Best online poker sites in the UK - Real money poker rooms
Adam Volz
Content Manager
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned poker player, we'll help you find the cash games with the friendliest rake structure, tournaments with the biggest guarantees, and the best player rewards. Read below for the whole picture.
Online poker is the digital version of the classic card game. Poker is available in two main formats: cash games and tournaments. In cash games, you'll buy in with a set amount of money, you can rebuy once you lose your chips and leave whenever you want. In tournaments, you pay an entry fee, receive your chips and aim to outlast your opponents to win the top prizes.
Key features of top UK poker sites
Below you can find a table summarising what you can expect at the best poker sites:
Feature
Details
Average player traffic
1,000 - 10,000+ concurrent players depending on site size
Number of daily tournaments
50 - 200+ tournaments across various formats and buy-ins
Cash game stakes range
Micro stakes (£0.01/£0.02) to high stakes (£25/£50+)
Popular poker variants
Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, Short Deck, Fast-Fold formats
Welcome bonus value
£50 - £1,000 (typically 100% deposit match)
Rakeback/Loyalty
20 - 40% rakeback through tiered loyalty programmes
Mobile app availability
Yes - iOS and Android apps available at all major sites
Popular online poker variants in the UK
UK online poker rooms will commonly offer you several different versions of the game to enjoy. Options available range from Texas Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha to newer variants such as 5-Card PLO or Short Deck Hold'em.
Texas Hold'em online
Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker variant in the world because it's the quickest and easiest to play. The game starts with each player being dealt two cards face down. Three cards are then placed face up in the middle of the table, known as the flop. After that, players make bets based on their hands relative to the flop. Once the initial betting round is complete, a fourth card is added face up, and players bet again before the final card of the hand is placed face up.
Omaha is an action-packed poker variant growing in popularity in the UK. It comes in two forms: Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi/Lo (also called Omaha 8-or-better). Like Texas Hold'em, it uses community cards and similar betting rounds, but you receive four hole cards instead of two and must use exactly two of them to make your hand. Betting is pot-limit, meaning you can only bet up to the current pot size rather than going all-in at any time.
Seven-Card Stud
In this game, your hand consists of 7 cards: 3 hidden from your opponents and 4 in plain sight. You aim to make the best 5-card hand. The betting is fixed limit, with no community cards or blinds. Instead, the hand with the lowest showing card must "bring in" to start the betting.
Other poker variants
Other variants you can find online include:
5-Card Draw: One of the simplest forms and the basis for video poker. In this game, you can choose to discard all or some of the cards in your hand after betting rounds to try to improve your final hand.
Razz: A variant with the same structure as Seven-Card Stud; however, the game aims to make the best low hand possible.
HORSE: A mixed game, where each variant you play changes with each round. Games include Hold'Em, Omaha8, Razz, Stud and Stud Eight or better. Expect the games to be in a fixed limit format.
Short Deck (6+ Hold'Em): Hold'Em with a twist – cards 2 through 5 aren't present in the deck, and flushes beat full houses in this relatively recent poker variant. Expect high action flops and big pots.
Free poker games to play online
Poker tournaments vs cash games - Which is better?
In a cash game, each hand is for real money. The blinds will remain at the limit you have chosen. You can rebuy if you lose your chips and leave whenever you want, so if you have limited free time to play, cash games are a good option. In tournaments, you pay a set fee to enter, aim to outlast opponents, and reach the paid positions. Tournaments run for several hours, so you'll need to have plenty of spare time to play them.Both formats suit different playing styles, so if you're a loose-aggressive player who likes to play a lot of hands, cash games might be more for you. If you prefer to take your time and select hands more carefully, tournaments are a better choice.
Editor’s insight
"Variance tends to be higher in tournaments; you often find yourself with a short-stack of 10-20 big blinds or less, requiring more frequent all-ins, which increases variance. In cash games, deeper stacks reduce variance and allow more measured play."
Adam Volz
Content Editor
How we rate the best poker sites in the UK
Our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to make a confident decision on which poker site is the best fit for you.
Player traffic and liquidity
With larger sites boasting over 20,000 concurrent players at peak times, smaller sites may attract fewer than 1,000. Peak hours are between 20:00 and 23:00 GMT. The more players online, the more tables available, and the larger the tournament fields will be.
Game variety and tournament schedule
Online poker sites offer you a wide range of games to play to suit every game preference. You can find game variants (Hold’em, Omaha etc.) and tournament schedules offer plenty of variety, with GGPoker offering over 200 tournaments daily. Millions of pounds are on offer every week, ranging from daily £1,000 guarantees to prize pools of £1,000,000+ in weekly Sunday majors.
Software quality and features
The best online poker casinos boast clean user interfaces with essential information like stack sizes, pot sizes and betting options all displayed clearly in a way that seamlessly integrates with the player experience. Furthermore, table customisation options that allow players to tailor seating choices and bet sliders are extremely useful to poker players. When we review mobile apps, we look for smooth-running user-friendly interfaces, a varied game selection and strong security features.
Bonuses, rakeback and promotions
Online poker rooms typically entice new players with bonuses like deposit matches or free tournament tickets, however; you'll need to meet certain wagering requirements before withdrawing winnings. As you continue playing, you can earn rakeback through loyalty programs, where the site returns a percentage of the fees (the rake) you've paid, and access ongoing promotions like VIP freerolls and additional tournament entries.
Rake structure and fees
Rake is the fee poker sites charge, typically 10% of tournament entry fees and 3.5-5% of cash game pots above a certain size, typically £1-£4. Since these fees come directly out of your potential winnings, choosing sites with lower rake will improve your long-term play.
Banking options for poker players
Major poker sites like GGPoker, PokerStars, and Party Poker accept various payment methods including debit cards, PayPal, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller), and prepaid options like Paysafecard. Deposits are typically instant, while withdrawals usually process within 24 hours. Before depositing, check the minimum amount required to qualify for welcome bonuses, as this may be higher than the site's standard minimum deposit.
Security and game integrity
UK-licensed poker sites use multiple security measures to ensure fair play and protect players. Random Number Generator (RNG) technology guarantees truly random card dealing, while detection software identifies and prevents cheating like collusion and chip-dumping. Your funds and personal information are protected through SSL encryption, firewalls, and anti-fraud systems.
Customer support quality
We only recommend poker sites with reliable customer support, including 24-hour live chat, email responses within 2 hours, or phone support. We prioritise sites with well-trained staff who can effectively handle poker-specific issues like hand disputes, tournament rules, account problems, and questions about promotions and rakeback.
How to get started with online poker in the UK
If you're new to online poker, start with free games and freeroll tournaments to learn the basics risk-free before moving to real-money games. Once confident, begin with micro-stakes cash games or small buy-in tournaments, choosing a site based on sign-up bonuses, player traffic, tournament schedules, and available game variants. Follow proper bankroll management, utilise hand charts and free learning resources, and your results should steadily improve over time.
Step-by-step guide to playing online poker
1
Choose a reputable poker site – Choose a reputable, licensed poker room
2
Download software or play in browser – Download the software to ensure optimal speed when playing
3
Create an account – Enter your personal details, and select a username and password to open a new account
4
Claim your welcome bonus – Choose the best value bonus on the market, while also considering player traffic and games available
5
Make your first deposit – Deposit with your payment method of choice
6
Start with play money or micro stakes – Either get stuck into play-money games to refine your skills, or start with low-stakes games, where losses can be less impactful
7
Learn basic strategy – Make full use of hand charts and free resources online to improve your strategy knowledge
Poker hand rankings - What beats what?
Every poker player needs to know the hand rankings so they can determine whether they're likely ahead or behind. In order from weakest to strongest, the rankings are:
High Card – When no player has made a pair or better, the highest card wins.
One Pair – Two cards of the same rank.
Two Pair – Two different pairs.
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank.
Straight – Five cards in sequence, any suits.
Flush – Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair.
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush – Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit.
Royal Flush – A-K-Q-J-10, all of the same suit; the highest possible hand.
Essential poker strategy tips for UK players
To be a winning poker player, you must implement a strong strategy in your game once you have a grip of the basics to really start advancing up the stakes:
Understanding table position
In a 9-handed game, the first two seats to the left of the big blind are considered early position; the next three seats are middle position; and the last two seats are late position, the cutoff and button. Generally, if you are in an early position, you want to open a tighter range of hands because you have more opponents left to act. The later your position, the wider range of hands you can open-raise, as there are fewer to act.
Bankroll management for poker
We recommend a minimum bankroll of 100 buy-ins for your chosen tournament stake, and between 30 and 50 buy-ins for cash games. We recommend this to counteract bad variance, known as a downswing or "run bad". Downswings are common and can destroy your bankroll if it isn't deep enough to withstand them. You should follow the same rules when moving up stakes to avoid going broke. Remember, there is no shame in moving back down a level if necessary and trying again.
Reading opponents online
Since online poker lacks physical tells like facial expressions and body language, we must use other methods to get reads on opponents. Taking note of different bet sizes and patterns can often clearly indicate strength or weakness, as can the time it takes an opponent to make a decision – otherwise known as timing tells. If you spot a sizing or timing tell on an opponent, make a note of it for the next time you meet.
When to fold, call, or raise
Knowing when to call, fold, or raise will become clearer the more you play. In general, you want to fold poor hands, especially out of position; call with marginal or more speculative hands, especially when offered good pot odds; and raise when you have a strong starting hand or good table position. Sticking to these principles will help you avoid common mistakes, such as playing out of position, overvaluing marginal hands, and getting involved in too many pots.
Poker tournament types explained
Tournament poker is available in several formats. From the classic Multi Table Tournament structure to the more modern Bounty and KO tournaments, we'll break down the differences for you in detail below:
Multi-table tournaments (MTTs)
The classic poker tournament format. After you buy in, you will be seated with the same starting stack as your opponents. You aim to be the last player standing by outlasting your opponents, winning all the chips in play and the prize money. You can expect to play for several hours, and fields usually have at least a couple of hundred players.
Sit & Go tournaments
Played in a fast-paced, single-table format, you buy in for a set amount, receive a stack of chips, and aim to make the money. Usually, the top 3 players in a 9-handed game and the top 2 in a 6-max game will get paid. Sit & gos are an excellent way for you to get more accustomed to the game.
Bounty and knockout tournaments
When you enter a KO or Bounty tourney, a percentage of your buy-in will go to the bounty prize pool, and every opponent you knock out will result in a direct cash win. You're therefore more incentivised to call your opponent's all-ins with a broader range than in a regular MTT, because of the extra value of the bounty.
Satellite tournaments
Satellites are small buy-in tournaments without regular cash prizes. Instead, you win seats into larger buy-in tournaments with bigger guarantees. They're great for taking shots at bigger tournaments without paying the full entry fee, and they come with their own unique strategy. For example, the situation may arise in which folding aces pre-flop is the strategically optimal action.
Pros and cons of online poker - Is it worth playing?
Adam Volz
"Online poker offers unmatched convenience and efficiency, allowing you to play hundreds of hands from home at any hour which is nearly triple the volume you'd experience in a live casino. With a wider selection of games and variants available at your fingertips, online play maximises your learning opportunities. However, success requires strong discipline and focus for extended sessions, and you'll need to adapt your strategy without the physical tells that live poker provides."
Pros
Convenience: Play from the comfort of your own home, anytime, day or night
Volume of hands: You can be dealt up to 90 hands an hour playing online, compared to around 30-40 an hour when playing live in a casino
Game Selection: You'll have plenty more games to choose from with more variants on offer
Cons
No physical tells: Not being able to see your opponents means you can't take advantage of body language tells
Requires discipline: To play online poker for long hours, you need strong discipline and high concentration levels
Poker bonuses and promotions at UK sites
Poker bonuses clear differently from casino bonuses – and in general, you will clear the bonus at a poker site gradually by playing a required number of hands until the full amount is released.
Welcome bonuses for new poker players
Online poker rooms typically welcome new players with a 100% deposit match bonus, commonly ranging from £50 to £1,000 in the UK. Unlike instant casino bonuses, poker bonuses are released gradually as you play and require meeting playthrough requirements before you can withdraw any winnings.
Rakeback and VIP programs
Rakeback is a returned percentage of the rake you pay at the poker tables. For example, if you pay £100 a month in rake, and the poker site offers 20% rakeback, you will get back £20. Most poker sites offer loyalty tiers, where the amount of rakeback increases as you climb the levels. Rakeback can be issued daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the site you choose to play at.
Poker freerolls
Freerolls are a great way to start building a bankroll from scratch. They are free-to-enter MTTs with a prize pool provided by the poker site. You can find freerolls in the lobbies of most major poker operators, including Party Poker and GGPoker.
Cash games vs poker tournaments - comparing formats
See our table below for a side-by-side comparison between cash games and tournaments:
Aspect
Cash Games
Tournaments
Time commitment
No minimum
3-6 hours
Buy-in flexibility
£1+
£0+
Variance
Lower
Higher
Skill requirements
More experienced
Less experienced
Hourly win rate
Profit per hour, or BB/100 (big blinds won per 100 hands)
Profit per hour, or ROI % (total profit ÷ total buy-ins) × 100
Best for
Short sessions
Long sessions
Mobile poker apps and sites in the UK
Due to growing demand for poker on the go, you can now choose from a variety of mobile poker apps and browser-based platforms. Over the last decade, these apps have grown exponentially, and as mobile phone usage continues to rise, they have become an essential part of online poker in 2025. Some of the best UK poker apps include GGPoker, PokerStars, and PartyPoker. Bear in mind some considerations when playing on mobile, such as multi-tabling, as some apps, like GG, limit your games to 4, whereas PokerStars allows more.If you prefer to play without downloading an app, you can play on your mobile in-browser on sites such as PokerStars and 888 Poker.
Poker payment methods at UK sites
UK poker sites offer a wide range of secure payment methods. You'll find different casino payment methods including Visa and Mastercard debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Luxon Pay, and bank transfers. Withdrawal times can vary depending on the method you use. If you use an e-wallet, you can expect your funds to return to your account within minutes. With debit cards, funds return within a few hours; however, bank transfers may take 72 hours.It is important to note that some sites may require additional documentation or information when you request a larger withdrawal.
Real money poker vs free poker
Real-money poker and free-play poker offer very different experiences. In play money games, players tend to take far more risks because there are no financial consequences, making the games looser and less predictable. Play money is therefore helpful for learning the rules, practising basic strategy, testing new ideas, or getting familiar with a poker site's software without any financial pressure. Conversely, every decision you make in a real-money game carries a financial risk. Therefore, things like bankroll management, decision-making, and table discipline become much more important. You can also expect your opposition to be much more formidable at a real-money table.
UK poker regulations and licensing
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is responsible for licensing and overseeing all online poker sites in the UK. They ensure player protections are in place at all times, such as identity and age verification, data encryption, and secure transactions. The UKGC requires operators to segregate player funds from business funds. You can find responsible gambling options, including deposit limits and self-exclusion tools like GAMSTOP and Gamban. When choosing a poker site to play on, always check whether it holds a UKGC license to ensure you are playing on a legitimate site.
Alternatives to poker at UK casinos
Blackjack
Blackjack appeals to poker players because it's a skill-based card game accessible to players of all bankroll sizes, and it involves joy or despair at the turn of a card.
Live dealer casino games appeal to poker players by offering real human dealers plus a more social, interactive atmosphere, delivering authenticity that standard online games lack.
Baccarat appeals to poker players because it offers fast-paced gameplay with simple betting decisions and low house edges, providing a straightforward alternative when you want a break from strategic play.
There are several heavy hitters available for playing poker in the UK, including GGPoker (huge game selection), PokerStars (low rake at microstakes) and Party Poker (softer competition).
What is the difference between cash games and tournaments?
In a cash game, you buy in with a set amount of money and play with set blinds. In a tournament, you pay an entry fee to buy in and then try to outlast your opponents to win the cash prizes.
What poker variants can I play online?
No Limit and Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, 5 and 6 card PLO, Omaha Hi/Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi/Lo, Badugi, Short Deck Hold'em, 5-Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, 2-7 Single Draw and Courchevel.
Do I need to download software to play poker?
We recommend it, though you can play in your browser with some sites, such as PokerStars.
What is rakeback, and how does it work?
Rakeback is a returned percentage of the rake you have paid at the poker tables. It is returned to you by the poker site daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the site you play on.
Can I play poker on my mobile phone?
Yes, there is a vast range of apps to choose from. You can also play in your browser on sites like PokerStars and 888.
What is a poker freeroll?
A free-to-enter tournament, with a prize pool provided by the poker site.
Resources
UK Gambling Commission - The standard and strictest body regulating for all the best UK casinos.
YouGov - Independent market research and data analytics firm providing consumer insights and public opinion polling.
PokerNews - An industry-standard news source for poker.
GAMSTOP- Free UK self-exclusion scheme allowing you to block access to all UKGC-licensed gambling sites.
Gamban- Software that blocks access to gambling websites and apps across all your devices to support responsible gambling.
Adam Volz is an online gambling expert who specialises in researching and writing content to help players find the best casino for them. Adam leads the Casino.org content teams in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand to help players make better-informed decisions.
Armed with 10+ years of journalistic experience and deep expertise in UK online casinos, Ben knows the ins and outs of casino offers, deals, and what separates the excellent sites from the subpar ones. He’s reviewed hundreds of operators, explored thousands of games, and understands precisely what players value most. At Casino.org, he puts that insight to work, helping readers find secure, high-quality UK casinos with bonuses and features that truly stand out.
