The best online poker sites in the UK feature active cash tables at stakes as low as £0.01/£0.02, tournament schedules with more than 300 MTTs a day, and generous welcome bonuses up to £1,050. It’s 100% legal to play online poker for real money in the UK, and you can even play online satellites to qualify for live action, like the London Poker Festival.
We’ve played at all the best poker sites in the UK, comparing software performance, player traffic, payout speed, and overall value. Below, you’ll find the top poker sites that consistently offer smooth gameplay, packed schedules with major tournaments, and consistently high traffic.
Best Online Poker Sites in the UK Compared
| Online Poker Site | Welcome Bonus | Poker Network | Poker Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 888poker | £50 in free tickets | 888 Network |
Hold’em, PLO, Hi/Lo
|
| GGPoker | 100% up to $600 (~£450) | GGNetwork |
Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo
|
| PokerStars | £200 welcome package | PokerStars Network | Hold’em, PLO, PLO5, PLO6, Hi/Lo, Short Deck, Stud, Razz, Courchevel, Badugi, 5 Card Draw, 2-7 Triple Draw, 2-7 Single Draw, HORSE, 8 Game |
| PartyPoker | Up to £1,000 + £50 free play | iPoker | Hold’em, PLO |
| Bet365 | €365 welcome bonus | iPoker | Hold’em, PLO |
Top 5 UK Poker Sites in 2026: Video Review
UK-based expert Andreas Wagner has ranked his top five best poker sites in the UK in a quick video:
Best UK Poker Site for Beginners
888poker is a great choice if you’re just starting on your poker journey, especially for bonuses. There’s a welcome bonus which awards you £50 in free tickets, spread over your first six day after signing up. It’s a great low-risk way to test a new UK poker site.
There’s always action at $0.01/$0.02 and other micro/low stakes. It runs on its own 888 Network, and the site is known for attracting plenty of amateur players. Low stakes games are soft and therefore perfect for beginners.
Top Online Poker Site for Intermediate Players
It could easily slot right in for beginner and expert players, but we feel PartyPoker really shines for those in the middle. If you’re not a pro but know your open-enders from your gutshots, this is the one for you.
There are way fewer GTO players here than on some of the longest-standing online poker sites in the UK. Cash starts at the micro-stakes of $0.01/$0.02, but you’ll also find plenty of serious action at the $1/$2 tables and even a little higher. The Diamond Club is open to all and dishes out up to 50% rakeback, which can help your ROI if you’re starting to get serious about poker as an intermediate player.
There are plenty of MTTs throughout the day, but the guarantees are in that middling range where many expert players lose interest. PartyPoker has big weekend events including the Sunday Carnival with $25,000 (£17,750) GTD and the Sunday Party with $50,000 (£37,500) on the line.
And, if you’re looking for mobile options, PartyPoker’s Android and iOS apps are some of the best poker apps around.
Best Poker Sites in the UK For Expert Players
PokerStars has fantastic traffic, a packed tournament schedule with more than 300 MTTs a day, plenty of full cash tables at all stake levels, and signature events with eight-figure guarantees.
But with big numbers and large prizes come a majority of regular players vying for the top prizes, and, as a result, a higher-than-usual level of skill. You don’t have to be a pro, but you’ll come across plenty if you plan to join high-stakes cash games or any signature tournaments.
These include events like the WCOOP, which attract major poker pros and elite-level grinders.
There are freerolls and low-stakes options for beginners and intermediate players, of course. But from our experience, the skill level is higher than at other sites at these stakes as well.
Best UK Online Poker Sites for Bonuses
GGpoker is one of the best online poker sites in the UK for bonuses, with the highlight being up to 80% rakeback.
The welcome bonus, a 100% deposit match up to $6,000 (~£4,500), is just the starting point. The entire ecosystem at GGPoker has been created to attract new players, which means lots of free tournaments tickets, satellites, freerolls with massive prizes, and other lucrative awards.
At the same time, the revamped rakeback program gives massive rewards to the most loyal and high-stakes players. The variable distribution starts art 15% and tops out at just over 80% – an industry-leading poker bonus for serious players.
Best Online Poker Sites in the UK for Tournaments
Between the daily hyper, turbo, big, and bounty tournaments, it’s again GGPoker that runs more than 100 tournaments each day, with $8 million in guarantees. Buy-ins start at $1, and the guarantees double on Sundays.
That’s not to mention signature series and events, like GGMillions and GGMasters, which are multi-day tournaments with multi-million-dollar prize pools. And you’ll also find satellites to make your way to live WSOP events around the world.
Most tournaments are Texas Hold’em, but GGPoker’s “Omaholic” series adds daily Omaha tournaments to the schedule. Traffic isn’t a concern, with every MTT filling up quickly.
If you’re looking to play online poker tournaments in the UK, GG Poker is the place to be.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in the UK?
Yes. As per the Gambling Act 2005, it’s completely legal to play online poker in the UK. You can use sites that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, or join any number of casinos and poker rooms licensed in other jurisdictions to play online poker for real money.
Will I pay tax on UK poker winnings?
The government changed taxation laws in 2001, switching the burden from the player to the operator. As such, there is no tax on poker, or indeed any form of gambling, in the United Kingdom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing live or online – you don’t have to pay taxes on your winnings.
How We Rate the Best UK Poker Sites
We’ve already run through the best online poker sites in the UK, but how exactly did we assess them? Here’s what we look for in a high-quality poker room:
Game Selection and Traffic
We’ve selected poker sites that offer a diverse selection of games. After all, there’s not much point in joining a site if you want to play a game that’s not available.
You’ll find Texas Hold’em and Omaha everywhere, but variants like Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud, and Short Deck are also available at our top sites. There are also cash games and tournaments, with a wide range of buy-ins and stakes. Our picks for the best online poker sites cater to everyone, whether you’re a casual player or a high roller.
Finally, it’s important for a good poker site to be busy since you can’t play without opponents. The best online poker sites have steady traffic throughout the day. And some UK online casinos have poker rooms, which can result in weaker opponents through crossplay.
Bonuses and Rakeback
We’ve selected UK poker sites that offer a variety of bonuses, whether it’s a welcome offer for new registrants or ongoing promotions for existing players.
But it’s not just about big numbers. We also check that the poker bonuses available have reasonable terms and playthrough requirements, so you have a fair chance of claiming the full bonus amount. We also select poker sites with rakeback, up to 60% in some cases, so you can earn some of your money back.
Software and User Experience
The software can make or break your online poker experience. The best online poker sites we recommend have excellent desktop clients and mobile apps, with smooth gameplay and intuitive interfaces.
Payments and Payout Speed
The ability to fund your poker account quickly, easily, and securely is crucial. That’s why the top poker sites offer a sizable selection of convenient, trustworthy payment options.
And for withdrawals, these sites offer instant crypto transactions and eWallet withdrawals, while fiat options can take a few days.
Player Competition and Skill Level
Our list of the top poker sites in the UK includes a good mix of options for players of all skill levels. While some sites are ideal for beginners, even the more competitive ones that require a higher skill level offer options for casual players.
Security and Reputation
All of the best UK online poker sites have another common feature – they’re extremely secure.
This all starts with the regulator. Each of our recommended sites holds a licence from a well-respected international authority. As a result, you can be sure that they’re looking after your deposits properly and that they offer a range of responsible gambling tools.
How We Test Online Poker Sites
To test how the best real money poker sites performed, we opened accounts, deposited funds, and completed full withdrawals. We monitored lobby traffic and cash game table availability at different times throughout the day, and joined MTTs and freerolls.
We also evaluated software performance, checking smoothness, lag, multi-tabling experiences, and connectivity. We conducted all tests with real funds between August 1, 2026, and August 14, 2026, to compare results with similar network conditions and traffic.
Testing period: August 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026
Peak Testing Hours: 6 PM – 11 PM
Funds Used: Real money only
| Poker Site | Stakes Tested | Software | Traffic | Rake | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 888poker | SNAP $0.10/$0.25 $1,000 GTD Micro Rollers – Mystery Bounty |
Windows | 3,000+ | 50% |
£50 in free tickets
|
| GGPoker | $0.02/$0.05 Hold’em $1,000 GTD Thursday Freeroll $50 Daily Big ($1 buy-in) |
Mac | 8,000+ | 15%-80% |
100% up to $600 (~£450)
|
| PokerStars | $1/$2 PLO5 Hot Hyper $1.10 $200 GTD |
Mac | 20,000+ | 25% |
£200 welcome package
|
| PartyPoker | $0.05/$$0.10 NLH The Sunday Party Sat ($22) Phase 1 |
Mac | 6,000+ | 40% |
Up to £1,000 + £50 free play
|
| Bet365 | NL €0.10/€0.20 €5 Twister |
Windows | 6,000+ | 30% |
€365 welcome bonus
|
What Games Can You Play at Online Poker Sites in UK
We look at a handful of the most popular game types at the best UK poker sites below.
Texas Hold’em
It’s safe to say that the most popular way to play poker online in the UK – and indeed the world – is Texas Hold’em. Visit any of the top 10 poker sites, and we guarantee most of their tourneys will use Hold’em poker rules.
Each player receives two hidden cards, known as hole cards, with up to five more community cards available in the middle. This mixture of private and community cards creates plenty of opportunity for bluffing and representing hands.
888poker is known for its Texas Hold’em tournaments with some mega prize pools. But you’ll also find plenty of cash game action, with busy tables up to NL $3/$6 and above during peak hours.
Omaha
A cousin of Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hold’em – now simply known as “Omaha” – shares a lot of similarities. The betting structure is identical, but the key difference is the number of hole cards, which increases from 2 to 4. In addition, players must use exactly two from their hand.
The best online poker sites in the UK also offer several Omaha variants, including Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha Eight or Better) and 5-Card Omaha. For classic PLO, Bet365 is a great starting point.
Short Deck
Originating in the high-stakes games of Asia, Short Deck has found its way to the UK online poker scene. As the game only uses cards ranked 6 and up, Short Deck is sometimes called Six Plus, or 6+ Poker. This variant is essentially Hold’em, but with fewer cards – hence the name.
All cards valued from 2 to 5 (inclusive) are removed, producing a “short” 36-card deck. The quirky setup significantly affects the probability of making some hands, leading to more action.
Short Deck is available on PokerStars, though it doesn’t get anywhere near as much traffic as regular Hold’em.
Seven Card Stud Poker
As a form of stud poker, Seven Card Stud (or simply Seven Stud) doesn’t use community cards. Instead, each player receives a unique hand, composed of face-up and face-down cards.
Each player starts with two hidden cards and one on display. It’s possible to receive up to three additional face-up cards, with a seventh that’s turned face-down. That means a total of five different betting rounds.
Few UK poker sites have Stud, but PokerStars still has tables running for Stud, Razz, and various Draw games.
Fast Fold Poker & More
When Full Tilt introduced its “Rush Poker” format in 2010, online poker changed forever. All the top poker sites quickly released their own version, including Zoom Poker (PokerStars) and fastfoward (PartyPoker).
All of these games fall under the umbrella term of “fast fold” poker. If you don’t like the look of your hand, there’s no need to wait around for other players to finish. Just fold, and you’ll immediately be whisked off to a new table to play a fresh hand.
Fastforward poker on PartyPoker is always active, with tables running from $0.02/$0.05 to $2.50/$5 for both Hold’em and Omaha.
Available Bonuses at UK Poker Sites
Bonuses are a great way to boost your bankroll even if you aren’t on a winning streak. The best UK poker sites have a variety of bonuses that you should definitely check out when you sign up.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is the biggest offer you’ll get, and you receive it as you’re signing up to new UK poker sites. This one is a pretty obvious choice, but a smart one, as they’ll typically give you rewards to play for free, giving you the necessary practice to up your game.
One of the best welcome bonuses you can sign up for is 888poker, where you get £50 in free tournament tickets in your first six days.
Tournament Tickets
Tournament tickets are a dream for all players. These allow you to bypass the buy-in and take a seat for free. If you make it in the money, you keep the winnings with no strings attached, thus making the offer very appealing.
If you’ve already claimed the £50 of tickets at 888poker, you can get £50 free play at PartyPoker – though this requires a deposit.
Rakeback
All players playing online poker in the UK can benefit from rakeback, but it’s especially useful for those of you who hit the tables regularly. Poker pros can go from losing to winning players based on rakeback, which shows how vital it can be.
GGPoker has the best rakeback for high-stakes players, peaking at up to 80%.
Freerolls
Freerolls give you entry to tournaments for free, with small prize pools or tournament tickets available as rewards. If you’re just starting out, you can play freerolls not only to get the hang of the game but also to slowly build a bankroll without spending any of your own money.
PokerStars and Bet365 both have plenty of juicy freerolls running every day.
No-deposit Bonus
No-deposit offers are extremely rare, since you don’t have to spend any of your own funds to claim this bonus. Some poker sites in the UK give away tournament entries as rewards for signing up. But you should always claim a cash no-deposit bonus even if it’s a small amount.
Tips for Beginners at Poker Sites in the UK
If you’re planning on playing poker online for the first time, you might be a bit worried about making mistakes or acting out of turn. We’ve put together some simple tips to point you on the right path.
- Watch other people. Before you jump in, simply open up a table and watch how it all unfolds. You’ll become familiar with things like chip animation and learn how a player is highlighted when it’s their turn. This will give you more confidence when you take your seat.
- Look for freerolls. When playing poker, online freeroll tournaments let you play for free and win real cash. These tourneys are jam-packed with newbies and so other players’ strategies aren’t too advanced.
- Think long term. When you join your first tournament, chances are you’ll get eliminated without winning any money. You need to stay cool and make adjustments where needed, while realising that playing well doesn’t automatically mean you’ll win. Luck plays a role, too.
- Gamble responsibly. Bad breaks and tilts can quickly lead to a rabbit hole of bad decisions and poor betting. Before you start, don’t forget to set limits and take breaks. And if it becomes a problem, you can make use of a site’s self-exclusion option. For serious concerns, you can reach out to associations like NHS Help or Gamblers Anonymous.
