Online poker has become a major pastime for players across the UK, with a variety of poker sites offering different features, benefits, and gameplay experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, choosing the right UK poker site can significantly impact your playing experience. In this article, we’ll compare the key features and benefits of some of the best uk poker sites, helping you make an informed decision about where to play.
1. PokerStars UK
Features:
PokerStars is one of the largest and most well-known online poker platforms globally, and its UK branch is no different. The site offers a wide variety of poker games and formats, catering to players of all skill levels.
- Game Variety: PokerStars UK provides an extensive selection of games, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and many more. The platform also features Spin & Go tournaments, sit & go games, and fast-fold poker for players who prefer quick action.
- Software: Known for its reliable and user-friendly software, PokerStars offers seamless gameplay across desktop and mobile platforms. The software supports advanced features such as multi-table tournaments and customizable table themes.
- Tournaments: PokerStars is famous for its large tournament offerings, including prestigious series like the UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT), Sunday Million, and various daily events.
- Player Traffic: As one of the biggest poker sites worldwide, PokerStars consistently attracts a massive player pool, ensuring you’ll find action at almost any time of day.
Benefits:
- Large Player Pool: The vast number of players means you can always find a game, no matter what time it is.
- Bonuses & Promotions: PokerStars offers regular bonuses, including first deposit bonuses and free tickets to special events. New players can take advantage of great welcome offers.
- Mobile Compatibility: PokerStars provides a highly rated mobile app that mirrors the desktop experience, making it easy for players to enjoy poker on the go.
- Rakeback and Rewards: PokerStars offers a loyalty program with StarsCoin, which can be redeemed for cash rewards or tournament tickets.
2. 888poker UK
Features:
888poker is another top choice for UK players, offering a combination of solid poker action and unique features that make it stand out.
- Game Variety: 888poker offers a wide range of poker variants, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud. The site also provides unique formats like Snap Poker, a fast-paced game, and a variety of Sit & Go tournaments.
- Software: 888poker has a sleek, intuitive interface that is easy to navigate for both beginners and experienced players. The platform also offers a mobile app that replicates the desktop experience.
- Tournaments: The site runs frequent tournaments, including the XL Series and Mega Deep, along with a series of satellite events for bigger tournaments.
- Player Traffic: Although not as large as PokerStars, 888poker still boasts a healthy player pool, especially for mid- and low-stakes games.
Benefits:
- Great for Beginners: 888poker has a strong reputation for welcoming beginners, offering low-stakes tables and beginner-friendly tournament formats.
- Innovative Features: The site offers innovative features like Snap Poker, which allows players to instantly fold and find a new table, reducing downtime.
- Bonuses & Promotions: 888poker offers a generous welcome bonus, regular tournament promotions, and a loyalty program called 888poker Rewards.
- Mobile App: The 888poker mobile app is highly rated, providing a smooth experience on smartphones and tablets, with all the key features accessible on the go.
3. Unibet Poker
Features:
Unibet Poker is known for its unique approach to online poker, offering features that appeal to recreational players and those looking for a more relaxed poker experience.
- Game Variety: Unibet Poker offers a selection of poker games, with a strong focus on Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The site also offers Six Plus Hold’em, a variant with a reduced deck, which makes for quicker, more exciting action.
- Software: The software is simple and easy to use, featuring clean graphics and customizable options. Unibet Poker’s software is designed to be intuitive, with players of all experience levels finding it easy to navigate.
- Tournaments: Unibet Poker runs regular promotions and tournaments, including Unibet Open and other special events.
- Player Traffic: While Unibet Poker’s player pool is smaller than that of PokerStars or 888poker, it offers a more intimate and recreational environment.
Benefits:
- Focus on Recreational Players: Unibet Poker has carved a niche for itself as a site focused on the casual player. The platform limits advanced features that might overwhelm beginners, promoting a friendlier environment.
- Anonymous Tables: One of the standout features of Unibet Poker is its anonymous tables, where players are not able to track each other’s history, creating a more level playing field for everyone.
- Bonuses & Promotions: Unibet Poker offers attractive bonuses, including a new player welcome bonus and regular promotions such as reload bonuses and tournament leaderboards.
- Mobile App: Unibet’s mobile app is smooth and easy to use, offering players a simple yet effective way to play on the go.
4. Betfair Poker
Features:
Betfair Poker is part of the popular Betfair network, which offers a wide range of poker games and a user-friendly interface.
- Game Variety: Betfair Poker provides a selection of poker variants, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud. It also offers casino-style poker games like Triple Draw and Razz for those looking for variety.
- Software: The platform’s software is straightforward, with an easy-to-navigate layout. The interface is simple, making it suitable for beginners, while still offering enough features for experienced players.
- Tournaments: Betfair hosts a variety of online poker tournaments, including Sit & Go events and multi-table tournaments (MTTs), with buy-ins for all budgets.
- Player Traffic: Betfair Poker shares traffic with the iPoker network, meaning there is usually a healthy number of players on the platform.
Benefits:
- Integration with Betfair Sportsbook: If you are already using the Betfair Sportsbook or Casino, Betfair Poker allows seamless integration, meaning you can use the same account across all their platforms.
- Rakeback & Promotions: Betfair Poker offers a rakeback program, as well as regular promotions and bonuses for loyal players. The site also provides daily, weekly, and monthly poker bonuses.
- Mobile App: Betfair’s mobile app is user-friendly and provides a solid poker experience on the go, with a range of features optimized for mobile play.
5. PartyPoker
Features:
PartyPoker is one of the longest-running poker sites in the UK and offers a wide variety of poker games and tournament formats.
- Game Variety: PartyPoker offers Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud, as well as FastForward Poker, a fast-fold variant that provides rapid action.
- Software: PartyPoker’s software is constantly evolving, with an emphasis on simplicity and speed. The platform also offers great customization options for players, such as table themes and chat features.
- Tournaments: PartyPoker hosts large tournaments like the POWERFEST and daily Sit & Go events, with a solid mix of low, medium, and high-stakes games.
- Player Traffic: PartyPoker enjoys a solid player pool, with a focus on high-stakes players, although the platform also offers plenty of action for lower stakes players.
Benefits:
- Loyalty Program: PartyPoker’s Club Poker program rewards players with points for playing real-money poker, which can be redeemed for cash or tournament entries.
- Security and Fair Play: PartyPoker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring that the games are fair and the platform is secure for players.
- Mobile App: The PartyPoker mobile app is one of the most robust in the industry, with features designed to offer a complete poker experience, including multi-table play and hand history tracking.
Conclusion
When it comes to UK poker sites, the best platform for you will depend on your specific preferences and playing style. PokerStars offers the most comprehensive selection of games and tournaments, while 888poker provides innovative features and a strong community. Unibet is perfect for recreational players who prefer a more casual atmosphere, while Betfair and PartyPoker are solid choices for players who want a more traditional poker experience.
Each site offers unique features, such as exclusive bonuses, mobile apps, and loyalty programs, making it important to consider what suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for the biggest tournaments, the best promotions, or a more relaxed poker environment, the UK has a wealth of great online poker sites to choose from.
