The UK most trusted online poker sites reviewed by real players and ranked according to things like banking options, ease of competition, software, customer support, security and a whole lot more
VIEW THE TOP RANKED POKER SITES 2023We only EVER list casinos that have been verified safe and secure by the UK Gambling Commission and other independent experts.
With all of the shifting laws regarding poker sites and online gambling websites across the pond, the UK could be said to be where most of the online poker site action is right now. The game has truly gone global and many of the top websites in 2023 are now specifically catering to UK online poker site players. A number of the most popular tournament game schedules have now shifted to reflect these UK and European hours, ensuring that even more of us will begin playing on a regular basis.
You will also find your chosen UK online poker sites to be highly secure and regulated, with many of these websites having been in operation for more than a decade. The licensing is also a big factor and there are even some of best online poker rooms now traded on the London stock exchange. Before you finish reading this guide to UK poker sites, you will know:
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One of the most inspiring trends in the world of real money online poker sites is the fact that the most popular UK ones are extensions of very well-known and respected gambling companies. In many cases, these are the poker site arm of household names, with many even operating land based casinos as well as these online counterparts.
You will also find this well-established history contributes greatly to the ease of use of these top sites, making it a very simple process to pick an online poker site, deposit money, and get started playing. While the setting at most of these poker sites is still international, there is a good chance they won't accept US players, which is both a positive and negative feature. For example, Texas Hold’em is incredibly popular among us Brits, but it would be a bit easier to find a good game if the Americans were allowed in as well.
Having said that, it is also nice being able to play in a place that truly understands the UK poker site market. You will find a number of promotions that speak directly to you and your needs and desires, making it an even easier decision to play at a UK online poker site. Plus, they make it very easy to win some nice real cash and cool prizes! It is still very easy to find games in most cases with all the other international players, as long as you aren't overly choosey.
Getting started with an online poker site here is very simple, as long as you follow just a few guidelines. First, you need to think a little about your choice of poker rooms since they are not all created equal. Answer the question as to what type of poker do you like to play. In other words, do you want a place that is primarily focused on tournaments or one that has an amazing variety of real cash games? Perhaps you might prefer one of the more balanced online poker sites, so that you can switch between both real cash games and tournaments. Or, you might decide that your favorite game is the most important factor, so you will then look for a poker site that has this game.
Also consider factors such as the licensing, and the rake, and maybe even which type of banking methods are supported by each of the poker sites being studied. Most of the UK top websites have undergone extensive scrutiny to earn their licenses, but check them out just to be sure. You should also be able to use banking methods which are convenient to you, whether that be a credit card or an online wallet like Skrill or Neteller. The rake should be reasonable and in-line with rakes offered at most of the other sites you have been considering, since this is an actual commission you will be paying on all winning pots.
Once all of this has been worked out, it is time to make your initial deposit and get started. Depending on your chosen websites, you might need to download poker client software onto your computer. This should be a very quick download and it will install automatically. Then, you simply need to click on the little icon left on your desktop anytime you want to get started playing your favorite online poker site games. Very simple and easy.
United Kingdom Gambling Commission
Online poker rooms are still a little funny in the sense that sometimes it takes a while for these casino and gambling companies to make certain adjustments. One of these is related to the area of currency exchange. In the beginning years of online poker, the United States played the leading role and the vast majority of those playing in the existing poker rooms were Americans. Due to this factor, almost all of the major online poker sites decided to use the US dollar as their currency of choice. It just made things easier since they knew a full three-quarters (or more, in some cases) of their players were coming from the US.
Of course, all that changed a while back, when the legislators and politicians in America started thinking they could score political points by adjusting the laws. This led to an almost complete reversal, with the vast majority of online poker site players coming from the UK, Europe and South Africa. This is why you will often see even UK based online poker sites still using the dollar as their basic currency.
What this means to you, as a UK online poker player, is that your Pounds will need to go through a currency exchange and are then converted to US dollars. While this is an easy and, in most cases, automatic process it is something to be aware of. Since the Pound is currently stronger than the dollar, this means that after the conversion of X number of pounds you will have approximately 25 percent more dollars in terms of an absolute number. Yet, the value has not changed.
The problem comes when you are ready to pull some (or all) of your cash out of the online poker rooms. That currency exchange rate can change, so it is entirely possible for you to actually lose money during this conversion, if the value of the Pound relative to the dollar was high when you made your deposit and has since fallen this could very well be the case. Of course, it is also possible for the exchange rate to move in the other direction, in which case you might even make real money off the conversion. Generally speaking this conversion is only going to make a slight difference in terms of how many Pounds (or dollars) you are able to move in and out of the poker sites.
DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
Once all of this has been worked out, it is time to make your initial deposit and get started. Depending on your chosen websites, you might need to download poker client software onto your computer. This should be a very quick download and it will install automatically. Then, you simply need to click on the little icon left on your desktop anytime you want to get started playing your favorite online poker site games. Very simple and easy.
When dealing with any of the UK poker online sites, customer support is one of the most important aspects. Try to find a site that uses only UK based support agents. Sadly, not every online poker site will do this. Many do use outsourced support from other countries, especially those websites which offer 24 hour service.
Look for sites that have multiple support options. This should include not only email but also telephone service. The best online poker rooms will also have some sort of live support option, generally conducted through a live chat messaging system. This makes it very quick and easy to have an answer to your question.
There is a rich tradition of legalized gambling in multiple forms throughout the UK. Beginning as early as 1960, there have been legal bingo halls and land-based casinos. In an effort to update the old and rather disparate gambling laws, the UK Gambling Commission was created in 2005 to take over from the Gambling Board. The same act that created this body also began to regulate alternative forms of gambling such as online real money poker sites.
Currently, most forms of online (and offline) gambling are legal in the UK. This includes all types of licensed poker sites, whether they are standalone sites, or part of a larger online casino. The philosophy of the UK seems to be one of ensuring gambling is conducted fairly and openly, so that children and vulnerable adults can be more easily protected. It is a rather refreshing approach compared to the history of many poker websites in other parts of the world.
Obviously, the best poker rooms need to have several different methods of generating revenue. The first of these is called the rake. In most cases, when there is a real cash game being played, the rake is something players will need to deal with. This is a commission or cut of each pot that the house or poker room will take. It is usually a small percentage of the pot, based on a sliding scale according to the amount of money in the final pot. There might even be a cap, or maximum amount of rake the house will take on each pot, although this will be determined by the specific poker room.
Tournament games have a different method of providing revenue for the online poker site. Most tournaments will not have any kind of rake; instead, you will pay an additional amount added on to your tournament entry fee. This is why these entry fees usually show two numbers, like $100 + $5. That $5 in the above example is your fee that goes to the house. You will not have any dealer tips or other expenses deducted from the prize pool.
Side games may also represent an additional source of revenue for even the best sites. This can include traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and more. The poker websites might decide to stick to side bets on poker hands, where the player goes up against the house for real money. Of course, these side wagers are carefully calculated and the house always has the edge.
An often overlooked revenue source for even the top poker rooms is generated by investing the deposits of players. Having said that, it should also be noted that most businesses will have to abide by very strict rules and requirements as to how much risk and what types of investments they may make with real money held as player deposits. Since the poker sites have no obligation to pay any interest to players, even a little bit of extra revenue earned in this fashion can be a significant contribution to their bottom line.
Now that you’ve read our hints and tips on online poker, why not pick out your favorite US poker online site and put them into practice.
REAL MONEY
How can I trust an online poker site with my money?
The only way that you can trust an online poker site with your money is if it is a well-known and secure site. These sites come highly recommended by top review sites, and they are made from quality software. These places have excellent security measures in place to protect your hard earned money.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How do I begin playing online?
To start playing online in the UK you must find a casino to play at, create an account with that casino and then fund that account with a service like Neteller, PayPal or with your credit card. Once you do those things you can sign into that account and play.
POKER SITES FOR MAC
Can I use a Mac computer at every online poker site?
No, a Mac computer will not work at every online poker site, but it will work at many of them. Mac support is pretty common, and you shouldn’t have to be overly selective to find an online casino to play at using your Mac computer.
MOBILE POKER SITES
Will my smartphone work at a mobile poker site?
Your smartphone will work at some mobile poker sites, but maybe not all of them. There are many different types of smartphones and they are not all supported everywhere. Double check which types are supported before joining a site to play with your mobile device.
LEGAL
Are online poker sites legal in the United Kingdom?
Online poker is perfectly legal in the UK and you can enjoy a wide range of gambling options right from the comfort of your home with a solid Internet connection.
NO DOWNLOAD
Do I have to download software to play at an online casino?
You don’t have to worry about software to play at an online casino. Many allow you to play right from your web browser, so you will simply sign into the site and start playing without downloading a thing.
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