The Best Online Poker Sites for UK Players
Your search for the best online poker sites for UK players ends here. At Kabono, we’ve done the hard work, thoroughly reviewing platforms to bring you only the top choices. Learn the game, understand bonuses, and see exactly how we rate each site.
To find your ideal poker home and confidently hit the tables, keep reading.
Written by Robert Cohen
Fact-checked by Øystein Winje
The Best Online Poker Sites
Let’s start with perhaps the most important question: What are the best online poker sites? Below, we’ve listed the highest-rated casinos on this site that offer online poker. The article continues below the list.
- Free spins with low wagering requirements
- Welcome bonus for casino, live casino and sports
- Sportsbook, bingo and scratch cards in game selection
- Casino and sportsbook in one
- Weekly WinBooster and unique Wheel of Riches
- Support via phone, live chat and email
- Impressive selection of games (~8,000 games)
- No-wager free spins
- Casino games and sports betting
- 100 daily no-deposit free spins
- Wagering free winnings
- Large game selection including bingo
- Wagering-free welcome bonus
- 100 daily no deposit free spins
- Lots of accepted payment methods
- Promotions to join every single day
- Fun tournaments and rewards
- Large game selection including bingo
- Two welcome bonuses to choose from
- Wide game selection and sportsbook offering
- Lots of weekly, monthly and random promotions
- Good selection of payment methods
- Great welcome package with up to £1,000
- Weekly promotions and competitions
- Large game selection: lots of online scratch cards
- Monster casino app for mobile play
- Great welcome bonus, loyalty program and promotions
- Casino games, live casino and sports betting available
- UK license and UK-specific website
- No wagering requirements
- Cashback on every bet with OJOplus
- Daily, exclusive bonuses with OJO Kickers
- Large game selection (over 3,000 games) including bingo
- Quick deposits and withdrawals
Online Poker for Beginners
Playing poker online offers all the excitement of a live game with the added convenience of playing from anywhere in the UK, at any time that suits you. With no downloads often required and a multitude of secure poker sites available, starting your online poker journey has never been simpler.
The Core Principles of Poker
At its heart, poker is a family of card games where the objective is to hold the best hand, or to strategically convince other players that you do. It’s a game where skill, strategy, and understanding your opponents are key to long-term success. The good news is, beginners can grasp the fundamentals surprisingly quickly!
Poker Game Types
It’s important to remember that “poker” isn’t a single game, but rather an umbrella term for various card games. Popular versions include Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but you’ll also encounter variations like video poker, which blends elements of slots with traditional poker. Always be sure to identify which specific version you’re playing and its unique rules.
Getting Started Online
The online environment provides unique advantages for new players. There’s no pressure to master a “poker face,” and you don’t need to know every rule immediately. Many reputable sites offer free-play tables or demo versions, providing a perfect opportunity to practice and learn at your own pace before transitioning to real-money games.
Free Play vs. Real Money Poker: Which to Choose?
When you’re new to online poker, a common question is whether to jump straight into real money games or start with free play. Both options have their merits, and understanding the differences can help you make the best choice for your learning curve and risk appetite.
Playing for Free (Play Money)
Most online poker sites in the UK offer “play money” tables or demo versions. These games use virtual chips, meaning there’s no actual financial risk involved.
Benefits of Free Play:
- Learn the Rules: A fantastic way to grasp the basic rules, hand rankings, and betting rounds without any pressure.
- Familiarise with Software: Get comfortable with the online poker client, its interface, and features like betting sliders and multi-tabling.
- Risk-Free Practice: Experiment with different game types and basic strategies without losing real cash.
Limitations of Free Play:
- Lack of Realism: Players often act irrationally or “go all-in” on any hand, as there’s nothing to lose. This doesn’t accurately reflect real money game dynamics. No
- Financial Incentive: Without real stakes, you might not develop the discipline and emotional control crucial for real money play.
Playing for Real Money
Once you’ve built confidence with the rules and the online environment, transitioning to real money games offers a more authentic poker experience.
Benefits of Real Money Play:
- Authentic Game Dynamics: Players are more strategic and disciplined when real money is on the line, providing a more realistic and challenging environment.
- Skill Development: The higher stakes encourage better decision-making and bankroll management, essential skills for serious players.
- Opportunity to Win: The obvious draw is the chance to win actual cash prizes, whether in cash games or tournaments.
Starting with Low Stakes
Many UK poker sites offer micro-stakes cash games (e.g., £0.01/£0.02 blinds) and low buy-in tournaments. This allows you to experience real money poker with minimal financial risk while you continue to learn and improve.
Online Poker Bonuses and Promotions
Online poker sites in the UK frequently offer a variety of bonuses and promotions to attract new players and reward loyal ones. These can provide a significant boost to your bankroll and extend your sessions.
Welcome Bonuses
These are typically offered to new players upon signing up and making their first deposit.
- Deposit Match Bonuses: The most common type. The poker site matches a percentage of your initial deposit up to a certain amount. For example, a “100% match up to £400” means if you deposit £400, the site gives you an additional £400 in bonus funds (which are usually released in increments as you play).
- No-Deposit Bonuses: Less frequent, but highly sought after. These award a small amount of bonus cash or tournament tickets simply for registering, without requiring an initial deposit. They are perfect for testing out a site with zero financial commitment.
- Free Tournament Tickets: Some welcome offers include tickets to freerolls (tournaments with no buy-in but real money prizes) or low buy-in guaranteed tournaments.
Ongoing Promotions for Existing Players
Beyond the initial welcome, reputable poker sites keep players engaged with a range of promotions:
- Reload Bonuses: Similar to deposit match bonuses, but for subsequent deposits by existing players.
- Rakeback / Loyalty Programs: Poker sites take a small fee (rake) from cash game pots and tournament buy-ins. Rakeback programs return a percentage of this rake to players, often based on their volume of play. Loyalty programs reward players with points that can be exchanged for cash, merchandise, or tournament entries.
- Leaderboards and Challenges: Compete against other players in specific games or over a period to win prizes based on your performance.
- Freerolls: Tournaments with no entry fee but real money or prize tickets for the winners. These are excellent for building a bankroll from scratch.
- Guaranteed Tournaments: Tournaments with a guaranteed minimum prize pool, regardless of how many players register. This ensures a significant payout for top finishers.
Important Note on Bonuses
Always read the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) associated with any bonus. Pay attention to:
- Game Restrictions: Whether the bonus can be used on all poker game types.
- Wagering Requirements: How much you need to play (often in terms of rake generated or loyalty points earned) before bonus funds are released or winnings can be withdrawn.
- Time Limits: How long you have to claim and clear the bonus.
Below, we’ll go through more terms that are important to understand.
Poker Terms & Phrases
In order to play poker well, it is important to understand the rules of the game and to be strategically smart with your actions.
But it’s not just the rules that you have to grasp – there are also a lot of poker terms that might be used in the games.
If you are not used to the poker phrases or poker slang being used, you might end up losing your bet out of pure confusion. We therefore decided to go through some poker terms.
We have outlined a full poker glossary covering all common (and some less common) terms you might come across while playing poker. Hopefully, it can help you become an even better poker player!
Click on a letter to show poker terms beginning with that letter.
Tip
You can turn this into a fun game by trying to memorise the terms beginning on each letter. Hide the terms by clicking the box again and see how many you remembered!
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Poker Terms Beginning With A
- Ace in the hole: One of the hole cards (face-down cards) is an Ace.
- Act: Making a play (such as bet, call, fold or raise).
- Action card: A community card on the table that causes a lot of betting action, as it is helpful for two or more players.
- Active players: Players who are still playing and involved in the pot.
- Aggression: A player’s style of opening with an opening bet or raise rather than check or call.
- All-in: The act of betting all chips for the current hand. “To go all-in.”
- Ante: A forced bet that is required by all players before the dealing begins and cards are seen. This is to have a starting pot and works as an entry fee to the hand. It is not used in all types of poker games.
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Poker Terms Beginning With B
- Backdoor: A hand that requires two or more draws, the turn and the river, to fill it (including community cards). For example, if you have a diamond on hand and there are two on the board, you require at least two more draws to (hopefully) get two more diamonds for a flush.
- Bad beat: An unlucky losing hand where a player loses against someone who had a slim chance starting off but got “lucky”.
- Bet: To make a wager.
- Bink: A big win in a tournament.
- Blind: A type of forced bet by specific players before the dealing begins, and the cards are seen. A two-blind structure of a small blind and a big blind is typically used.
- Board: The community cards that are available in some games. Face-up cards that all players can use for their hands.
- Burn: Discarding the top card of the deck at the start of a deal in order to prevent cheating.
- Bubble: The last finishing position in a poker tournament before the payout structure. For example, if 10 players get paid in a tournament of 100 people, the 11th position is the bubble.
- Button: The position of the dealer at the table.
- Bluff: Betting or raising on a hand that is unlikely to win in the hope that the opponent(s) will fold in “fear”.
- Buy-in: The minimum amount of chips required to join a game/tournament. The minimum bet.
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Poker Terms Beginning With C
- Call: To call someone is to match or raise the amount of the previous bet to stay in play.
- Cooler: Slang describing the second-best hand – a player with a good hand losing to a player with an even better hand.
- Cutoff (CO): The position to the right of the button (dealer).
- Check: If no one has opened the betting round yet, it is possible to pass/bet zero by checking. Declining to make a bet while still keeping their hand in play.
- Chech-raise: Raising after previously checking in the same betting round.
- Community cards: Cards that are dealt in the centre of the table, showing face up. In games using community cards, all players can use these cards to make their hands. Also called “board”.
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Poker Terms Beginning With D
- Dealer: The person distributing the cards. The position of the dealer on the table is called “button”.
- Donk/donkey: A weak player (known as donk, donkey or fish).
- Draw: Staying in play and drawing more cards, hoping for a stronger hand.
- Drawing dead: Drawing for a hand that will lose to an opponent even if the desired cards are dealt.
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Poker Terms Beginning With F
- Fish: A weak player (see “donk”).
- Flop: The act of dealing – and the name for – the first three face-up cards to the board after the first round of betting.
- Flush: A hand made of five cards of the same suit.
- Fold: Discarding one’s hand and getting out of the game round, forfeiting any wins from the pot.
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Poker Terms Beginning With H
- Hijack: The position second right of the button (dealer).
- Heads up: Playing a pot or tournament against just one opponent.
- Hole cards: Cards that are dealt face down, individual to each player. Also known as pocket cards.
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Poker Terms Beginning With J
- Jam: Another (slang) term for going all in.
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Poker Terms Beginning With K
- Kicker: Cards that are not used to make a hand but as side cards to determine a winner. If two players have the same hand, the best kicker will win.
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Poker Terms Beginning With L
- Limp: Slang for entering a pot by calling, not raising.
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Poker Terms Beginning With M
- Muck: The pile of discarded cards.
- Mucking: Another word for folding, as the cards are discarded into the muck (or pot).
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Poker Terms Beginning With N
- Nit: A player who doesn’t take any risks and hardly plays any of the starting hands, only waiting for premium holdings.
- Nuts: The best possible hand that can’t lose.
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Poker Terms Beginning With O
- Overcard: A card that is higher than the board or a player’s current holding.
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Poker Terms Beginning With P
- Pot: The sum of money that is wagered and collected during play, and that the winner(s) win.
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Poker Terms Beginning With Q
- Quads: Four of a kind.
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Poker Terms Beginning With R
- Raise: Increasing the size of an existing bet in the same betting round.
- Re-raise: A second or subsequent raise of a betting round.
- River: The fifth and final community card dealt out of five.
- Rag/ragged: A low-valued card.
- Rainbow: A flop in which every card is of a different suit.
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Poker Terms Beginning With S
- Set: A hand with three of a kind, where two cards are from the hole cards.
- Shove: Another term for being all in, “shoving” all chips in
- Straddle bet: An optional and voluntary blind bet after the small and big blind, before cards are dealt.
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Poker Terms Beginning With T
- Tilt: Playing with reckless abandon due to negative emotions.
- Trips: A hand with three of a kind, where only one card is from the hole cards.
- Turn: The fourth community card that is dealt out of five.
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Poker Terms Beginning With U
- Under the gun (UTG): The player positioned to the left of the blinds and therefore has to act first in the first betting round.
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Poker Terms Beginning With W
- Whale: A weak player with a large bankroll.
Basic Poker Terms You Have to Know
In the list above, there’s a lot of poker terminology and slang covered. And while it might be nice to know it all, it can also feel a bit overwhelming all at once. Therefore, if you are an absolute beginner, you can get started by focusing on the rules of the game and the following poker terms:
- Pot: The sum of money that is wagered and collected during play and that the winner(s) wins.
- Ante: A forced bet that is required by all players before the dealing begins and cards are seen. This is to have a starting pot and works as a entry fee to the hand. It is not used in all types of poker games.
- Bet: To make a wager.
- Call: To call someone is to match or raise the amount of the previous bet to stay in play.
- Raise: To increase the size of an existing bet in the same betting round.
- Fold: To discard one’s hand and get out of the game round, forfeiting any wins from the pot.
Finding Your Ideal UK Online Poker Site
With many online poker sites available for players in the UK, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. At Kabono, our goal is to simplify this process by guiding you to the best online poker experiences. We carefully review and recommend only those sites that meet our strict standards for safety, legality, and player satisfaction.
Why Choose a Casino-Integrated Poker Site?
While there are websites dedicated only to poker, we often find value in recommending online poker sites that are part of a larger online casino. This approach offers distinct advantages:
- Shared Player Pools: Larger casino brands typically attract significant player traffic. This often translates to more active poker tables across various stakes and game types, meaning you’re more likely to find a game that suits your level and budget whenever you want to play.
- Diverse Gaming Experience: Beyond the poker tables, you gain access to a full range of casino games, including popular slots, classic roulette, blackjack, and often integrated sports betting. This allows you to easily switch up your entertainment, all from a single, convenient account.
How We Rank the Best Online Poker Sites
At Kabono, we understand that choosing a trustworthy and enjoyable online poker site is crucial. Our team of experts invests considerable time evaluating platforms to ensure we only present you with the highest quality options available. Our comprehensive review process is built upon several key criteria:
1. Licensing, Security & Fair Play (Essential for UK Players)
The foundation of any reputable online poker site lies in its licensing and robust security measures. For players in the UK, this means:
- UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) Licence: This is a non-negotiable requirement. We only recommend sites holding a valid licence from the UKGC, which guarantees adherence to strict regulatory standards for player protection, responsible gambling, and fair play.
- Advanced Encryption (SSL): Your personal and financial data must be secure. We verify that sites utilise strong SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect all transactions and sensitive information.
- Random Number Generator (RNG) Certification: To ensure the integrity of the games, we look for independent audits and certifications of the site’s RNG, confirming that card dealing is genuinely random and unbiased.
2. Game Variety and Player Traffic
A top-tier poker site should offer a broad selection of games and a thriving player community:
- Popular Poker Variants: We look for sites that provide the most popular versions like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, alongside other engaging poker formats and sometimes even mixed games.
- Cash Games & Tournaments: A good site will offer a wide array of cash game stakes, catering from micro-stakes for beginners to higher limits for experienced players. We also assess the diversity of tournaments, including Sit & Gos, Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs), Freerolls, and special events.
- Player Traffic (Liquidity): High player traffic ensures more active tables and larger prize pools in tournaments. We prioritise sites with strong liquidity, making it easier for you to find a game quickly.
3. Bonuses & Promotions (Player Value)
We thoroughly examine the bonus structures to ensure they offer genuine value:
- Generous Welcome Offers: We evaluate the attractiveness and fairness of welcome bonuses, including deposit matches and any no-deposit offers or free tournament tickets.
- Ongoing Promotions: Beyond the initial welcome, we look for sites that reward loyal players through rakeback, comprehensive loyalty programs, leaderboards, and regular freerolls or reload bonuses.
- Clear Terms & Conditions: Crucially, we scrutinise the bonus T&Cs to ensure they are transparent, achievable, and free from unfair clauses, paying close attention to wagering requirements and expiry dates.
4. Software Quality & User Experience
A seamless and enjoyable playing experience is paramount:
- Intuitive Interface: The software should be user-friendly, with clear graphics and stable performance on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Mobile Compatibility: We extensively test mobile apps and responsive websites on various devices (iOS and Android) to ensure smooth gameplay on the go.
- Key Features: Aspects like multi-tabling options, customizable tables, note-taking features, and hand history access are also considered for a complete user experience.
5. Payment Methods & Payout Speed
Efficient and secure banking options are essential:
- UK-Friendly Options: We verify the availability of popular and secure payment methods for UK players, including debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, and other reputable e-wallets.
- Fast & Reliable Withdrawals: Quick processing times for withdrawals are a significant factor. We highlight sites known for their efficient and dependable payout procedures.
6. Customer Support
Even the best sites can encounter occasional issues, making robust customer support indispensable:
- Accessibility: We look for comprehensive customer support, ideally available 24/7, through multiple channels such as live chat, email, and phone.
- Responsiveness & Helpfulness: We gauge the quality and speed of their responses to common queries, ensuring players can get prompt and effective assistance when needed.
By meticulously assessing these factors, we ensure that our recommended list features only the most trustworthy, secure, and rewarding online poker sites available to players in the UK.
Best Poker Sites UK
Browse our top list and reviews to find your perfect poker home and start playing today!
- Casino and sportsbook in one
- Weekly WinBooster and unique Wheel of Riches
- Support via phone, live chat and email
- Lots of promotions and bonuses
- Sport, casino, live casino, poker and bingo
- Mobile apps available
- Impressive selection of games (~8,000 games)
- No-wager free spins
- Casino games and sports betting
- Wagering-free welcome bonus
- 100 daily no deposit free spins
- Lots of accepted payment methods
- MuchBetter, Visa, PayPal, Trustly, Paysafecard
- Modern and well-designed website
- Generous welcome package