Best Poker Apps in the UK

Top Poker Apps

UK gamblers are spoilt for choice in perhaps the most flexible online gambling market in the world. There are no restrictions on mobile betting, so finding a mobile poker app is easy. However, this presents its own challenges. With so many options, how do you separate the best poker apps from the ones to avoid?

Well, that’s where our team of online poker experts can help. Our poker review team at Gambling.com is made up of experienced poker players and experts on all things online gambling. We combine our knowledge and expertise to select only the best real money poker apps and best poker sites in the UK. We scour the online poker realm so you don’t have to, with only the very best making it on to our list.

Each mobile poker app we recommend has passed our strict tests on various criteria, including mobile capability, bonuses, poker game variety, and more. We constantly update this guide with poker news, new poker operators, and the best promotions in the online poker market. So bookmark this page and visit it regularly to stay updated with the best mobile poker bonuses and apps.

A Closer Look at the UK's Best Poker Apps

All of the poker apps we list on this page have plenty to recommend them. One thing to note about online poker is that the table themes and layouts vary greatly from one app to the next. You want to pick poker apps that cater to your online poker-playing style, especially if you like playing longer-form poker tournaments. Just like when you play at a bricks-and-mortar casino, you want to make sure you're in a comfortable setting.

Different poker apps specialise in different types of cash games and tournaments, so you want to open an account with the apps that cater to your preferences in this regard as well.

It's best to open accounts with a number of apps as you can then claim multiple welcome bonuses and have access to all of your favourite poker game types. To make things little bit easier for you, we've taken a closer look at some of the leading poker apps in more detail below.

PokerStars

PokerStars is the largest online poker site in the world and has reached this level of popularity for a reason. Some of the biggest poker tournaments you can find anywhere online are available when you download the PokerStars app and there is a huge amount of game variety.

Attractive bonuses and promotions are consistently available here and it's always worth checking out the latest PokerStars promo codes to claim this app's famous sign-up offers. There is also a revamped rewards scheme that encourages loyalty from PokerStars' current customer base.

partypoker

partypoker is one of the top sites for UK poker tournaments and there are plenty of cash game options here as well if that's your preference. Its MILLIONS events are some of the most lucrative in the online poker space, while the iOS and android apps are both highly rated.

There is a decent mix of skill levels to be found here, so whether you're an experienced online poker player or a newcomer to the game, there's a place for you at the partypoker app. The weekly cashback promotion is probably partypoker's standout feature and VIP players can get access to loads of exclusive perks. For the full lowdown, check out our dedicated partypoker review.

888Poker

888 is well-known for its online casino and sports betting apps, so it should come as no surprise that 888poker has a lot to offer as well.

This is the fourth-largest poker room for cash tables online. If tournaments are your thing, the range of entry fees and prize pools for these vary greatly, meaning the 888poker app should suit all sorts of skill levels and budgets. The customer support options and variety of payment methods are top-notch as well, with all of these features covered in greater detail in our 888poker review.

Why Play on a Mobile Poker App?

While online poker has traditionally been popular on desktop sites, there is an increasing trend towards mobile poker. This is especially true in the UK, where smartphones are the primary device used for online gambling, according to the UK Gambling Commission. There is a reason for this ongoing shift towards mobile poker, with several advantages inherent in mobile gambling, compared to playing on a computer:

• Play From Anywhere: Convenience is arguably the biggest perk of using a mobile poker app on a smartphone or tablet. Mobile by name, mobile by nature, meaning you can play at any time and from anywhere if you have a stable internet connection. Whether you choose to play on the commute to work or lazing on your sofa, mobile poker allows you to play how you want.
• Poker Tournaments: When you fire up an online poker app, you get access to tournaments from the poker site you choose. Cash games, sit & go tournaments, and other types of competitions are all available on the go.
• Never Miss Out on the Fun: One of the best things about mobile gambling apps is that they keep you close to the action. When playing on a smartphone or tablet, you can receive notifications about new games, bonuses, tournaments, and more, meaning you never miss out on the fun.
• Bonuses: Every online player loves poker bonuses and most poker sites offer exclusive deals for mobile players. Welcome bonuses, no-deposit offers, deposit deals, reloads, and more are all available on mobile poker apps to boost your bankroll.
• Security: While cybercrime issues are something you should be wary of, mobile operating systems tend to be more secure. The chances of suffering a cyber breach directly on mobile are less than on desktop. Of course, every mobile poker app we recommend on this page is licensed by a reputable regulator such as the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority.
• Social Gameplay: Mobile poker applications play up the social aspects of the game far more than desktop sites. Thanks to deeper integration with messaging on mobile, it feels much more intuitive to engage with other players on poker apps.

How do we Review the Best Poker Apps?

Our team at Gambling.com prides itself on only recommending the absolute best mobile poker apps to our readers. A lot of work goes into ensuring the apps we highlight provide a top-notch experience. Whether you’re looking for the best free poker app or a real money poker app, our chosen providers will offer an elite level of quality.

Our mobile poker experts thoroughly review each app we recommend, covering an extensive list of considerations to list the most reputable sites. All of our in-depth reviews provide a comprehensive overview of poker apps, covering the following criteria:

• Bonus Offers: Bonuses and promotions are some of the best ways to boost your bankroll with negligible risk. While most online casino bonuses are enticing, some have strict restrictions or harsh requirements. When you visit a mobile poker app on our list, you get access to lucrative bonuses with generous terms and conditions.
• Poker Game Variety: It is crucial to have access to as many poker games and tournaments as possible. However, it is not always about quantity. Instead, we look for poker apps that deliver mobile versions of the best Stud, Hold'em and Omaha poker sites.
• User Experience: Usability is vital at any online gambling venue, but for mobile poker apps it is essential. When we review an app, we examine how easy it is to navigate, find and enter games, use the gameplay UI, and find important account information.
• Sign-Up Process: We understand that online poker operators have a legal and moral responsibility to provide a secure registration process. We like to see poker apps that cover all security and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks with minimum fuss. You should get secure sign-up and account approval at our recommended sites without it taking too much of your time.
• Payments: Two things are vital when we review payment processes on poker apps: security and flexibility. Gamblers want as much choice as possible and secure platforms for depositing and withdrawing money. We only recommend mobile poker apps that use reputable payment methods that are 100% secure.
• Unique Features: Mobile poker app operators are always looking for ways to stand out from the competition. One way to do that is by having unique features, such as one-of-a-kind games, tournaments, bonuses, or social elements. Each review we provide will detail the special features of a poker app.
• Server Reliability: When you visit a mobile poker application you shouldn’t need to wonder about table availability or whether your game will crash. Our review team look for apps that offer the best server uptime, speed, and overall performance.
• Security & Support: Each poker app you see on this page is secure and reputable. We pick apps that protect your personal and financial data every step of the way, by using SSL encryption technology to prevent third parties from accessing your information without permission.
• Licensing & Legislation: You will never see a poker app recommendation on this page that does not have a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or a similarly recognised regulator. Holding regulation means the operator meets standards for online gambling apps, including security, fair play and customer support.

Types of Games Found on Poker Apps

If you are considering installing a mobile poker app as recommended on this page, you probably want to know which poker variants you can expect to find. All of them is the answer, but there is a clear skew towards the more popular online poker games. Below we will cover the variations you can find at top mobile poker applications.

Texas Hold’Em is the most popular form of poker globally, so it is no surprise to see that it dominates the mobile poker world. Even so, the best mobile poker app providers will also host a range of other variants to keep players happy. Below are the three most common game formats you will find on poker applications and how to play them:

Texas Hold'Em

The most common game at mobile poker venues is the most popular in the world. Over the last two decades, Texas Hold’Em has transcended the gambling realm to become a genuine pop culture pastime. Whether it is poker night get-togethers with friends or full-scale televised tournaments, this is the variant even casual gamblers know how to play. The best Hold'em poker sites are naturally extremely popular with online poker players of all levels.

In the Hold’Em form of poker, each player receives two face-down cards (hole cards) which serve as their hand. Next follows the first round of betting, where players wager on the strength or weaknesses of the hole cards. The dealer then turns the three board cards (known as the flop), and another round of betting starts based on the flop and hole cards together.

The dealer turns the following two cards (turn and river) individually, with a betting round after each. Throughout the game, players attempt to make the best five-card hand possible. Players can call, fold, or raise their stake on each betting round.

Omaha Poker

You can find Omaha poker variants at all the best poker apps and Omaha poker sites, including the popular game of Omaha Hi-Lo. This game is similar to Hold’Em, so the variant is a popular alternative. There is a three-card flop on the game table, and then an additional fourth and fifth card dealt individually.

The core difference is that the player receives four hole cards in Omaha (instead of two in Hold’Em). Making a hand is a little more complicated because the player must use a combination of any two hole cards and three board cards, meaning two hole cards are discarded.

Stud Poker

Stud poker is another popular variant you can find at the top poker apps and best stud poker sites . This poker type is different from Hold’Em and Omaha because it puts the full power to win or lose in your hands. There are no community cards on the betting table. Instead, players receive a set number of cards all in their hands.

Betting takes place over multiple rounds as players start with two cards (one face up and one hold card) and receive additional cards following each betting round. How many cards you receive depends on the stud version you play, with seven-card stud and five-card stud being two of the more popular stud poker variants.

Poker App Cash Games

Cash games are straightforward and the type of poker play most people are comfortable with. These are the games you play around a table with friends, and the implication is that you are playing for cash currency instead of beans or matchsticks. Arguably the most popular and common form of poker globally, cash games are also frequently available at land-based casinos, poker sites and mobile poker apps.

One of the best things about cash games is they allow for complete flexibility. You can pick up cash games on any poker app we recommend at any time. There are tables/games available to suit every play style, variant, and budget.

Poker App Tournaments

You never need to look far to find a poker tournament when visiting one of the apps we recommend. Online poker tournaments are hugely popular, and the top operators offer daily, weekly, and many other types of competitions.

In a standard tournament, each player wagers an equal amount of money to enter the competition. For example, a poker app may run a tournament with a £5 entry fee and £20 stake cost. Essentially, this means you pay £5 to participate in the tournament, while £20 goes into the prize pool.

With any tournament the idea is to whittle down the number of participants to a final table. You will have an outright winner of the tournament, but there will also be prizes for other players (2nd, 3rd, etc). Winners usually take between 20% and 40% of the overall prize pool.

There are different types of poker tournaments available on mobile devices, including:

• Freezeout Tournaments – In this type of tournament, you pay to get chips and buy into the competition and play until you run out.
• Multi-Buy Tournaments – This is an online poker tournament that lets you buy in more than once and play with multiple stacks.
• Rebuy Tournaments – A rebuy competition will have chip stack gameplay, but you can still buy back in when you run out.
• Freeroll Tournaments – A freeroll is a holy grail tournament where it costs nothing to enter. Most mobile poker apps we recommend offer a number of free games, often with small prize pools.
• Guaranteed Tournaments (GTD) – A poker tournament with a predetermined and fixed prize fund that is guaranteed before play starts.
• Satellite Tournaments – This is a tournament which acts as a qualifier for a bigger competition. Tournaments with large prize pools often have several satellites you can enter, to earn a ticket to the main competition.

Poker Apps Liquidity

Poker is something of a unique game in the online gambling realm. It is different to other table games, video poker, and online slots because it allows players to compete against each other. Most other casino games put the player against the dealer/house. You are not playing against the casino/operator in poker but instead against your fellow players.

While this makes for unique social possibilities, the game is also hugely reliant on other players. Simply put, if there are not enough people playing, then there is no game. This is where the term poker liquidity comes from, meaning the number of players influencing game availability and the size of prize pools.

In the simplest terms, the larger the number of players, the bigger the prize pot you can compete for and the more game choice you have. Other benefits of strong poker liquidity include more dynamic tournaments, more cash games, and more poker variations.

All the mobile poker app operators we recommend on this page are prominent and popular, meaning more people play on them and you get better liquidity.

Poker Resources Available on Apps

There are tons of reasons to join and enjoy a poker app, with bonuses, game choice, prizes, and security among them. However, gamblers often overlook the fact that the best poker apps provide rich resources for learning poker, understanding strategy, and improving your skill level. Since poker is a game of strategy that requires knowledge and experience, this is vital.

Let’s be clear, no system can guarantee you a win. At the end of the day, there is a substantial element of luck in poker, and you need to have good cards in your hand. Still, there is no doubt that poker is more sport-like than other forms of gambling. Because you play against other players, expanding your knowledge can give you an edge during tournaments and cash games.

When visiting the poker apps we recommend on this page, you can find tutorials, guides, and interactive media that can help you develop your poker strategy and skill. These resources really come to life on mobile because you can access them at any time and from anywhere.

What do the Best Poker Apps Offer?

While there are dozens of mobile poker providers in the UK, only the best make it onto our list of recommendations. What separates these mobile poker apps from the rest? Well, these are the operators that go the extra mile to deliver a top-notch poker experience on mobile devices. Below are the elements that go into creating a fantastic mobile poker app:

• Device compatibility (iOS, Android, and Windows Phone hardware)
• Complete poker game catalogue (all games usually found on a desktop)
• Server reliability
• Generous bonuses
• Usability and app design
• Security
• Flexible payment options

When our team reviews a mobile poker app, we carefully look at each of the above criteria. We only recommend the apps that meet our strict expectations. That means when you visit one of our recommended mobile poker applications, you will get the best possible experience.