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If bluffing, winning hands, and a loaded prize pot sounds like your thing, then you should be all-in for online poker. Luckily, a lot of online casinos in the UK offer poker games online – both live dealer versions and RNG-based games where you go against the computer. In any case, there is no dearth of options when it comes to playing poker online. In this guide, we will be looking at what online poker is, the best online casinos to play it at, and make the most of your experience.
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What is online poker?
Just like the name suggests, online poker is the virtual iteration of the popular card game. With online casinos, you can play poker anytime, anywhere. Plus, you can choose whether you want to play against a computer or take a seat at the live game with live dealers. That’s not all – online casinos go a few steps further and offer every imaginable poker variant right onto your screens.
Online poker games vs live poker games
Online poker offers a faster pace and greater accessibility compared to live poker. However, live poker allows you to observe opponents’ physical tells, adding another layer of strategy. Tracking software, a common tool in online poker, is not available in live games. Both formats offer unique experiences and cater to different preferences.
To present a clearer comparison, here’s a table –
| Online poker games | Live dealer poker games |
| Usually, these are single-player games against the computer | Live games involve other players, and you’d play against them |
| Resembles a video game | Aims to mimic a land-based casino |
| The lowest bet is usually affordable | The lowest bet might be pricey |
| Does not involve any social interaction | Gives you an opportunity to interact with dealers and other players |
To know more about live casino games, check out our dedicated guide on the subject.
History of poker
Much like other card games, poker’s origins are debated. It is believed that the game originated from the French game Poque and the Persian game As-Nas. The name “poker” may come from the French word poque, but it’s also linked to the German word pochen (to bluff). Early forms of poker also share similarities with Renaissance games like primero and the English game brag.
It was only in the early 19th century that poker gained traction in South America, spreading via Mississippi riverboats and New Orleans. By the mid-1800s, the game evolved to include the full 52-card deck, flushes, draws, and stud poker. Then, later on, the Civil War era introduced straights, and later innovations included wild cards, lowball, and community card games.
By the 1970s, poker’s popularity had peaked with notable tournaments like the World Series of Poker (WSOP). The card game also made its way into the mainstream media with poker strategy books like Doyle Brunson’s Super/System. Basically, you can say that poker had become embedded in the culture.
More recently, poker’s popularity was boosted – thanks to online platforms and hole-card cameras, transforming poker into a spectator sport. Major tournaments like the WSOP and World Poker Tour drew massive audiences. Despite regulatory challenges like the UIGEA in 2006, poker’s popularity grew, and it remains a popular game to this day.
In the UK (along with other countries across the globe), poker games can be easily accessed 24/7 on online platforms. As mentioned earlier, poker games are available on dedicated poker sites as well as in online casinos.
| Fun Fact: The latest player to be inducted into the WSOP Poker Hall of Fame is Patrik Antonius, a Finnish professional poker player. |
Best online poker real money sites in the UK
If you want to go right ahead and join a poker game online, then we have handpicked some of the best casino sites in the UK to play real money poker –
| Casino | Welcome bonus | Our rating |
| MrQ | 30 Free Spins on first deposit | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| Casumo | £300 + 50 Free Spins | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| PlayOJO | 50 No-Wager Free Spins | ⭐ 9.0/10 |
| MagicRed | 100% up to £100 | ⭐ 7.3/10 |
| LeoVegas | 100 Free Spins | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
If you want to explore more options, our team at Platin Casino UK has reviewed more online casinos that you can check out.
What to look for in an online poker site?
Now that you’re familiar with online poker and have a general idea of what to expect let’s understand what you need to look for in a poker site.
- License: To start with, you need to make sure that the online casino you have chosen. All online casinos need to have a license from the UK Gambling Commission in the UK. You will find this information in the footer of the website.
- Payment options: The majority of UK online casinos support standard payment options, including debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and bank transfers. It’s a good idea to verify that the casino provides multiple payment options to ensure hassle-free deposits and withdrawals.
- Game variety: Most casinos feature games from various providers, ensuring a diverse range of options. Before registering, make sure the available games meet your preferences. Since we’re focusing on poker here, ensure that the casino site offers different variants of poker, like Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Omaha, and more.
- Bonuses and promotions: Online casinos often provide welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, loyalty programs, and other incentives to attract and retain players. Review the available bonuses to confirm whether they can be used on poker games.
- Mobile compatibility: If you enjoy playing poker on the move, then check if the site works well via a mobile browser. Even better, check if the casino offers a dedicated mobile app for added convenience.
There are more things that you can look for in an online poker site. For more details, check out our 12-step casino evaluation criteria.
Types of poker
As mentioned, poker has a lot of variants. And thanks to online casinos, you might easily be able to access different variants anytime and anywhere. That being said, we would like to briefly introduce you to various types of poker that you will find at online casino sites –
- Texas Hold’em: In this no-limit version, each player receives two private cards and combines them with five community cards to make the best hand. Originating in Texas during the 1920s, it’s now one of the most popular poker games worldwide.
- Five-Card Draw: Players aim to create the strongest five-card hand after one round of drawing and betting. The winner is the player with the best hand after the final betting round.
- Omaha High/Low: Players are dealt four private cards and must use exactly two of them, along with three community cards, to form their best hand. This game often features a split pot for the highest and lowest hands.
- 7-Card Stud: Each player receives three cards – two face down and one face up. The goal is to make the best five-card hand to win the chips. Folding means you’re out of the round.
- Razz: Unlike traditional poker, the aim here is to have the lowest possible hand. Players are dealt seven cards (two face down and one face up) and must create the lowest-ranking five-card hand.
- Pai Gow Poker: A blend of traditional poker and the Chinese game Pai Gow. Players create two hands (a five-card “big” hand and a two-card “small” hand) to beat the dealer. A joker is often used as a wild card.
- Caribbean Stud Poker: In this casino favourite, players compete against the house rather than each other. The goal is to beat the dealer’s hand with a stronger five-card hand.
- Casino Hold’em: Similar to Texas Hold’em, but players compete directly against the dealer. The aim is to make the best five-card hand using two private cards and five community cards.
- Video Poker: A single-player game played on terminals similar to slot machines. Based on a five-card draw, it requires skill and strategy to play the dealt hand according to poker rankings.
In addition to the variants listed above, game developers sometimes get creative with the games and present a whole different version. For instance, you will find poker variants with side bets or progressive jackpots to add extra gamification.
Best online poker games you should try
As we mentioned, software providers have a lot to offer when it comes to poker. For this section, we have picked out five games that
| Poker game | Provider | What it’s about? | Where to play? |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | Evolution Gaming | Developed by Evolution and Scientific Games, this game pits players against the dealer to create the best five-card poker hand using two private cards and three community cards. | MrQ |
| Casino Hold’em | Ezugi | A live dealer poker game where players compete against the dealer to create the best five-card hand using two private cards and five community cards. | Casumo |
| Jumbo 7 Jackpot Side Bet – Casino Hold’em | Evolution Gaming | This optional side bet adds a progressive jackpot element to Casino Hold’em, offering uncapped prizes for a 7-card Straight Flush. | PlayOJO |
| Hook, Line, or Poker | Skywind | This is a unique game that combines elements of poker and slots. Players aim to catch fish symbols that correspond to poker hands, with payouts based on the strength of the hand. | MagicRed |
| Three Card Poker | Habanero | This is a digital version of the classic casino table game where players compete against the dealer with a three-card hand. | LeoVegas |
As you know, online casinos offer many more variants than the ones listed here – so we encourage you to explore the games library and find your favourite game.
Play poker for free
Much like other table games, online casinos offer free demo versions of poker games. You can play these games for free – and it’s a great way to get familiar with the games. Further, if you have any strategies, you can try them for free and practice with the demo version before heading for the real game.
Play poker on mobile
Now, there are dedicated poker apps that are super focused on poker. However, in this section, we will be talking about casino apps that offer poker games. As we have already covered in the casino apps guide, a lot of top-rated online casinos in the UK offer the best poker mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, so you’d be able to play poker on the go.
Can I get a casino bonus for playing poker?
One of the most attractive things about online casinos is the casino bonuses and promotions. And while poker-only bonuses are rare, casino sites do offer bonuses that apply to most games (including poker). In this section, we will be going over some of the casino bonuses that you might be able to use on poker.
Welcome bonus
Usually, the welcome bonus you get after your first deposit is usable on all casino games, including poker. So, you should be able to use the bonus funds for a few rounds of poker. Of course, you should check the T&Cs to see if the welcome bonus is usable on poker games.
Deposit bonus
Aside from welcome bonuses, online casinos offer bonuses on deposits you make. Usually, this bonus amount can be used on any game, so you should be able to fund a few poker rounds. Again, this depends on the bonus T&Cs, so we’d recommend you scan those.
Other poker promotions
In addition to the bonuses mentioned in this section, you will also find other types of bonuses like –
- Free rounds of poker
- Poker tournaments
- Live casino bonus
- Cashback offers
Online poker tips
At Platin Casino UK, we don’t believe in gatekeeping helpful information. This is why, while researching, we asked our team to chip in some poker tips. We also went a step ahead and added tips from online players –
- If you’re an absolute beginner who has just been introduced to online poker, you should get a chart of poker hands printed and have it handy while playing.
- A Reddit user on the poker subreddit had a good tip to share for beginners – “Only raise or fold preflop. That got me out of so many difficult post-flop decisions. As I got better, I learned when and how to call pre-flop (mostly in position), but as a new player, this is the advice that helped the most and is the advice I give people I teach most often.”
- Use an online odds calculator while you’re playing online poker games. Get your computer to do the math for you quickly so you can make informed decisions in real-time. These tools help you calculate pot odds, equity, and expected value. Just ensure the calculator is allowed on your chosen platform, as some sites may have restrictions.
- As mentioned in the book ‘The Mental Game of Poker by Barry Carter and Jared Tendler’, find your “Why” and understand why you play poker—whether for money, competition, or personal growth—and use this as a source of motivation. At the same time, balance poker with other activities to maintain long-term enthusiasm and prevent fatigue.
- Keep track of your spending. A big part of being good at any casino game is knowing when to stop. Not every pot is yours. If you are frustrated with your losing streak, then we’d advise you to take a break.
| If you’re interested in knowing more about poker strategies, you can refer to some of these popular books on the classic card game – ✅ The Mental Game of Poker by Barry Carter and Jared Tendler ✅ Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen ✅ The Body Language of Poker by Mike Caro ✅ Harrington on Hold’em by Dan Harrington |
Responsible Gambling
Poker is certainly a thrilling game – especially when you get skilled at it. And to maintain that thrill in the long run, we’d strongly advise you to play responsibly. As per UKGC’s guidelines, casinos operating in the country have to offer quick and easy access to responsible gambling resources and also provide tools for safe gambling. For instance, a lot of casinos offer limits on wager, time, deposit, and more to prevent overspending. Further, some casinos also offer reality checks and self-assessments for better control.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to the best real money poker sites, there are a lot of options in the UK market. You can sign up with any of the UKGC-licensed poker sites to get started. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, these platforms offer a variety of games, secure payment methods, and bonuses to boost your bankroll. You can use free play options, strategies, betting systems, and other resources to help you up your game and build confidence before diving into real-money games.
FAQs
As mentioned in our guide, you can play poker at any online casino licensed by the UKGC. t is important to stick to safe, licensed, trustworthy sites that offer poker games.
As mentioned in the article, a lot of top-rated online casinos offer mobile apps to players. You can check out apps like Casumo or PlayOJO.
Yes, online gambling is legal in the UK. All you have to do is make sure that you play poker at a casino site that holds a valid license from the UK Gambling Commission and has a good reputation.
You can browse casino reviews on our site to find yourself a licensed casino in the UK that offers a variety of poker games – both live and RNG-based. Some of the online casinos that you can check out are MrQ, Casumo, PlayOJO, LeoVegas, and more.
Yes, as we mentioned in our guide, online casino sites let you play RNG-based poker games for free before you bet real money.
References
- Poker Wikipedia
- Poker article on Encyclopedia Brittanica
- Poker Subreddit
- WSOP Poker Hall of Fame
- The Mental Game of Poker by Barry Carter and Jared Tendler
