Poker Writer
The best poker apps for UK players do more than give you access to great games. You only have to take a quick look at high-quality poker apps from the likes of CoinPoker to see that they’ve come a long way in the last few years.
These days, the best real-money poker apps in the UK are a legit option if you want big bonuses, fun features, and an immersive experience (look out for the ‘Squeeze’ option at GG). So, which app is right for you?
5 of the Best Poker Apps in the UK
What are the best poker apps UK players can use today? After downloading the top apps and grinding for countless hours, we’re confident the brands below are perfect for gaming on the go.
Best UK Poker App Overall – CoinPoker
CoinPoker has been on the cutting-edge of gaming technology since its launch in 2017, which is why it’s ranked as our top pick, despite not having an iOS app at the time of writing. For clarity, it does have an Android app.
Poker Network: Independent- Licence: Union of the Comoros
- Payout Speed: Instant
Poker Network: Independent- Welcome Bonus: 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000
- Poker Tournaments: Freerolls to $5,000
- Cash Games: $2 NL to $200,000 NL
Features
CoinPoker has been the best poker app for desktop devices for years now. That’s because it uses blockchain technology more effectively than most.
In addition to instant and anonymous crypto payments, CoinPoker uses blockchain technology to power its Random Number Generator (RNG). This innovative feature allows you to view and verify the legitimacy of every hand in real-time.
You can’t do that on other poker apps, so transparency alone is enough of a reason to download CoinPoker. Looking forward, we can say this commitment to innovation will filter through to the forthcoming iOS app.
You can already check hands in real-time via the Android app, so it stands to reason you’ll be able to do it on iOS devices. Other features to look out for are 33% rakeback, half-hourly freerolls, and Face ID logins.
The main criticism of CoinPoker is that it has slightly limited traffic outside of peak times. But, as the platform grows in popularity and iOS users are brought into the mix, this is likely to change. When it does, you’ll not only have access to an innovative mobile app, but plenty of soft games.
Pros
- Cash out instantly
- Earn 33% rakeback on mobile
- Crypto-friendly
- Provably fair hands
- Log in with Face ID
Cons
- Slower traffic at off-peak times
- No iOS app yet
Our Verdict
CoinPoker does so much right and is the best option for Android users. It doesn’t yet have an iOS app, but it’s expected to launch soon.
Best UK Poker App for MTTs – GGPoker
GGPoker is the king of MTTs, but that’s not the only reason we’ve ranked it as one of the best poker apps UK players can download right now.
- Poker Network: GG Network
- Licence: Great British Gambling Commission
- Payout Speed: 1-6 days
- Welcome Bonus: 100% welcome bonus up to $600
- Poker Tournaments: Freerolls to $10,300
- Cash Games: $2 NL to $200,000 NL
Features
Other than CoinPoker, there’s no better place to play tournaments online than GGPoker. The weekly schedule is packed with freerolls, and both low- and high-stakes MTTs offering guaranteed prizepools stretching into the millions.
These MTTs are flanked by seasonal series, including WSOP Online. That series offers multi-million dollar guarantees and, best of all, WSOP bracelets. The only other online poker app in the world that runs these tournaments is WSOP.com, and that app isn’t available in the UK.
In line with making parts of the live poker world available online, GGPoker has a variety of unique features, including Squeeze. This feature allows you to peek at your hole cards by squeezing them as you would in a live game.
There are some downsides to GGPoker. For us, the most off-putting aspect of the app is its lobby. There’s simply too much going on, and there aren’t enough filters. It looks great and gives off a fun vibe. But the non-traditional design does make it harder to navigate.
Pros
- Peel back cards via the app
- Play for WSOP bracelets
- Adjusted table view for mobile
- Access up to four tables at once
- Jam-packed MTT schedule
Cons
- Busy lobby
- Lots of luck-heavy formats
Our Verdict
GGPoker is one of the most inventive and innovative poker apps in the UK. From in-game features like peeking at your cards, to the gigantic range of high-value MTTs, it’s a top choice.
Best UK Poker App for Fun Features – Unibet
Unibet is, in our view, the most fun UK mobile poker app. It’s probably not the best place for high rollers to play, but the recreational players among you will get a lot of enjoyment from Unibet Poker.
- Poker Network: Independent
- Licence: Great British Gambling Commission
- Payout Speed: 24-48 hours
- Welcome Bonus: £500 progressive bonus + MTT tickets
- Poker Tournaments: Freerolls to €100
- Cash Games: €4 NL to €400 NL
Features
Unibet is a fun mobile poker app for a few reasons. Firstly, the oversized avatars give the interface a relaxed vibe. The overhaul was part of Unibet’s move to Relax Gaming, a software company known outside of poker for its casino games.
Unibet’s lobby is also designed to prevent bum hunting. That might be frustrating for those of you who want to target fish, but it’s actually ideal for mobile devices. The quick-seat function is better than having to scroll through a long list of tables on your mobile device.
The final reason Unibet is ideal for newbies and recreational players is the HUD ban. Unibet was one of the first major poker operators to ban HUDs explicitly. Not only does this make the games better for novices, but it’s also perfect for mobile users because HUDs don’t work well on smartphones.
Pros
- Fun, goofy avatars
- Quick-seat mobile feature
- No HUDs
- Relatively soft games
- Live qualifiers
Cons
- Fewer events that some poker apps
- Not ideal for experienced players
Our Verdict
If you’re a beginner, Unibet is a fantastic option because it has a range of built-in features to prevent experienced players taking advantage of you.
Best Texas Hold’em Poker App – 888poker
888poker is our top Texas Hold’em poker app, not because it offers the most games or the highest stakes, but because the average game is incredibly soft.
- Poker Network: 888poker Network
- Licence: Great British Gambling Commission
- Payout Speed: 3-8 days
- Welcome Bonus: £50 worth of free-play tournament tickets
- Poker Tournaments: Freerolls to $250
- Cash Games: $2 NL to $20,000 NL
Features
888poker has always been around, which means it has an old-school charm that, in our experience, attracts players with a similarly antiquated mindset. 888poker was originally called Pacific Poker.
It operated under that name from 2002 to 2005 and remained a go-to poker site for European players following the company’s US exit. Many of these players remain active today. Other than loyalty, players stick around because 888poker is a simple, no-frills platform.
The downside is that it lacks unique in-game features, and traffic is low outside of peak times, as are some of the tournament guarantees. Despite that, it’s a great Texas Hold’em poker app because the games are soft.
We’ve seen VPIP values of 60%+ in $1/$2 games. That’s way above optimal, particularly when it’s combined with low PFR values. So, if you want softer-than-average Hold’em games, we recommend the 888poker app.
Pros
- Long-established and trusted
- Extremely soft games
- Some live satellites
- Easy-to-use app
- Simple lobby
Cons
- Limited traffic
- Few special app features
Our Verdict
The 888poker app is a must-have if you’re in the UK. It’s one of our biggest poker rooms and, despite not being super-advanced, gives you access to some of the softest games around.
Best Omaha Poker App – ACR
ACR didn’t get into the iOS app game until late 2024, but it’s quickly become a favourite for players in the UK and beyond. For most of its international player pool, tournaments such as the $10 million guaranteed Venom are the star attractions, but not for us.
- Poker Network: Winning Poker Network
- Licence: The Curaçao Gaming Authority
- Payout Speed: <24 hours
- Welcome Bonus: 100% welcome bonus up to $2,000
- Poker Tournaments: Freerolls to $2,650
- Cash Games: $2 NL to $40,000 NL
Features
We can’t deny that ACR’s tournaments, particularly seasonal events such as Venom, are attractive. But, if you’re in the market for something that isn’t a Hold’em MTT, we recommend ACR’s Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) games.
Certain members of our team have played thousands of PLO hands at stakes ranging from $1/$2 to $5/$10, and let’s just say the standard is interesting. There are some tough players, but the average skill level is lower than you might expect.
The downside to playing Omaha via ACR’s iOS and Android app is that the player pool gets smaller as you go up in stakes. $3/$6 is where you start to see the same screen names. Above that, the action at $10/$20 and higher is sporadic.
That being said, the mid-stakes games are fun, not least because of Bomb Pots and ACR’s run it twice feature. The former randomly adds money to pots before cards are dealt. This generates more action, which can help increase your edge over weak players and reduce the skill gap against strong players.
Pros
- Consistent Omaha cash games and MTTs
- Fun features like Bomb Pots
- Recently revamped app
- Available on iOS and Android
- Backed by major pros
Cons
- Omaha traffic thinner at higher stakes
- Strong opponents
Our Verdict
It’s not easy finding a high-quality poker app that also delivers on Omagha, but ACR does both. It’s marketed as more of a US-focused app, but it 100% legal to play in the UK.
Top UK Poker Apps Compared
Here’s how the best poker apps for UK players compare in terms of games, bonuses, and rake.
| UK Poker App | CoinPoker | GGPoker | Unibet | 888poker | ACR |
| Best For | Crypto payments and bonuses | Big-money tournament series | Very soft MTTs | Great mystery bounty MTTs | $1 million MTT payouts |
| Poker Bonus | 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000 | 100% welcome bonus up to $600 | £500 progressive bonus + MTT tickets | £50 worth of free-play tournament tickets | 100% welcome bonus up to $2,000 |
| Stakes Offered | $2 NL to $200,000 NL | $2 NL to $200,000 NL | €4 NL to €400 NL | $2 NL to $20,000 NL | $2 NL to $40,000 NL |
| Rake (%) | 5% (cash games) and 6%-8% (MTTs) | 5% (cash games) and 10% (MTTs) | 1% to 6% (cash games) and 10% (MTTs) | 5% to 6.25% (cash games) and 6.13% to 10% (MTTs) | 5% to 6.25% (cash games) and 2% to 10% (MTTs) |
| Rakeback (%) | 33% | 15% to 60% cashback | Loyalty rewards (up to the equivalent of 60% rakeback) | Up to 12.5% | 27% fixed or up to 65% progressive (via Elite loyalty rewards) |
Benefits of Playing on a Poker App
The obvious benefit of using poker apps over desktop sites is accessibility. You can jump into great games whenever they appear in the lobby of your chosen poker room.
But, beyond the most obvious benefit, UK poker apps have become the go-to option for smart players for these reasons:
Single-Table Focus
There’s no doubt that playing multiple tables at once is +EV for skilled players. But, if you’re a newbie or an experienced player sitting in a tough game, it’s better to focus on one table.
Even though multi-tabling is possible on the best mobile apps, they’re better suited to single games. That can be a blessing in disguise.
A Bonus Hunter’s Dream
Bonus hunters often use mobile poker apps because consistency is key to unlocking offers. This is particularly true for rakeback, because it’s based on the amount you play (i.e., the amount of rake you generate).
The more active you are, the more you can earn. Mobile apps fill the gap in between the times you’re away from your computer and unable to generate rake.
Spreading the Love
Another unappreciated benefit of UK poker apps is the ability to share your results, referral links, and connect with other members of the community.
It’s a benefit because we use social networking apps such as Instagram exclusively on our mobile devices. That means you share things directly from your phone with a single tap. There’s no better way to show off your last triple-barrel bluff.
Game Types Available on Poker Apps
Everyone loves Hold’em, but the best online poker apps can’t rely on this variant alone. Our recommended UK mobile poker apps offer three main variants: Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud.
Five Card Draw is hard to find online, but there are games beyond the big three inside the best UK poker apps. Here are the different ways you can play poker via your mobile device:
Hold’em
- Hole Cards: Two
- Community Cards: Yes
- Formats: Limit, Pot Limit, No Limit
Hold’em is the most popular variant, and all the best poker apps have games at every level. From freerolls to high-stakes cash games, there’s something for everyone.
The allure of Hold’em when it’s played with a No Limit betting structure is the ability to put people under pressure by moving all-in. This adds a unique dynamic that requires players to consider stack sizes, psychology, position, and the money in play.
For many, No Limit Hold’em is the purest form of poker because it requires a diverse skillset. That’s why over 75% of the games inside UK online poker apps are Texas Hold’em. Our top tip for newbies is to start in freerolls.
The best Texas Hold’em poker app is CoinPoker because it runs Bankroll Starter Freerolls every 30 minutes. The $5 and $10 prizepools are a nice bonus, but secondary in this regard.
The reason to play freerolls is to learn the basics of Hold’em before you transition to real-money games. If you really want to get ahead of these games, check out our free Texas Hold’em odds calculator.
Omaha
- Hole Cards: Four
- Community Cards: Yes
- Formats: Pot Limit
Omaha is the crazy cousin of Hold’em because you get four hole cards instead of two. The rules of Omaha also state that you must use two of your four cards. The same rule doesn’t apply in Hold’em.
This creates a situation where everyone has more possible hand combinations. That, in turn, creates more action and volatility.
Players who want a change from Hold’em love this dynamic, which is why the best mobile poker apps have added more Omaha games over the last few years. GGPoker, for example, has Omaha MTTs that cost $1 (Omaholic) and as much as $10,300 (WSOP Online PLO Super High Roller).
Even less populated UK poker apps are in on the act. Like Unibet, which has a selection of PLO MTTs and cash games that cost less than a dollar to enter. In fact, such is the popularity of Omaha that spinoffs have become popular.
CoinPoker, the best real money poker app in the UK right now, has traditional and Five-Card PLO. The latter adds an extra hole card to the mix, but you can still only use two. This opens up more hand combinations, which cranks up the volatility.
Stud
- Hole Cards: Seven
- Community Cards: No
- Formats: Limit
Stud is a classic poker variant, but it’s much rarer these days. Despite being less popular online than it is in the live arena, you can find the odd cash game and tournament.
In our experience, ACR has a small but active Seven Card Stud and Stud Hi/Lo cash game scene. We’ve seen games running at $0.10/$0.20 and $5/10, without much action in between. So, unless you’re a Stud newbie or pro, it’s hard to find games.
The exception to this rule is during a tournament series. ACR adds more Stud MTTs to its schedule during the Online Super Series and other events.
What we’re saying here is that mobile online poker apps are a necessity because games don’t run very often. The best poker apps give you a better chance of jumping into a juicy cash game or MTT whenever you find one.
Other Poker Variants
Download the best Android poker app, or its iOS counterpart, and you’ll find a few novel variants. The one with the most traction right now is 6+ Hold’em. Otherwise known as Short Deck Hold’em, this variant removes all cards worth less than six (not including aces).
This reduces the number of cards in play, which, in turn, means flushes are harder to make than full houses. The shift in hand rankings adds a unique dynamic that cash game players, particularly high-stakes pros, love.
Many of the best poker apps UK players can download offer 6+ Hold’em. Of the names in our top five, GGPoker has the biggest selection of 6+ Hold’em cash games and tournaments.
Poker Apps vs Desktop
Most of the poker played today still takes place on desktop computers. But, as popular as the best poker sites in the UK are, mobile apps have their place.
Here are the main reasons smart players use a combination of desktop and mobile poker apps.
| UK Mobile Poker Apps | Desktop Sites and Apps |
| Mobile poker apps are more accessible because we have our phones with us more often. | It’s easier to play multiple tables on a desktop monitor than on a smartphone. |
| You can jump into soft games quicker because you can access them from any location. | Storing hand histories and reviewing them is easier on desktop computers. |
| Quick-seat tools allow you to instantly open games you like. | You have more freedom to browse the lobby and look for soft games. |
| Table layouts are streamlined on the best poker apps, which makes it easier to focus on the action. | Heads-up displays (HUDs) are better on desktop computers (there are a few mobile HUDs, but they don’t display many stats). |
Best Features in Poker Apps
Mobile poker apps used to be basic, but things are very different these days. The best mobile poker apps aren’t scaled-down versions of desktop apps. Yes, the interface is smaller, but page elements and features are now designed specifically for smartphones.
Here’s how today’s top online poker apps stand tall on their own and make gaming on the go great fun:
Table Layout
The biggest problem with mobile poker apps 10 years ago was multi-tabling. Developers were capable of creating tables that looked OK on a small screen, but things got tricky when players wanted to sit in multiple games.
That’s no longer an issue. Developers have solved the issue of bet buttons being too small and switching between tables by streamlining the layout. That means unnecessary elements, including chat boxes, have been removed (or hidden).
Customisation
Tied in with the process of streamlining table layouts is enhanced customisation. Modern online poker apps, including the ones from CoinPoker and ACR, allow you to add and remove table elements.
You can also adjust various display settings to suit your visual preferences. Best of all, you can set bet and raise amounts. For example, if you’re a fan of the 2.5x pre-flop raise, the top poker apps let you set this as a preference.
Once you’ve set that in place, all you have to do is tap the “bet” button, and it will make it 2.5x the big blind. These features allow you to streamline the experience beyond the basics, something that makes it even easier to play on the move.
Lobby
Mobile poker lobbies were notoriously difficult to navigate back in the day because developers wanted to cram too much into a small space. That made it difficult to find games. Even worse, the now infamous “jumping phenomenon” meant you’d sometimes open the wrong table.
This doesn’t happen when you download the best online poker apps right now. This is largely down to the quick-seat function. This feature allows you to define the game, stakes, and format. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be taken to the next available game matching your preferences.
Enhanced Security
One of the most underrated but impressive aspects of modern mobile poker apps is biometric logins.
Fingerprints (Touch ID) and Faces (Face ID) are more unique than any alphanumeric password ever could be. That’s why the best poker apps in the UK are incredibly safe. If you can enable Touch or Face ID logins, do it.
Seamless Payments
The ongoing movement towards mobile-first technology has forced payment processors to innovate. Popular eWallets, including Skrill and Neteller, are now optimised for mobile devices. And then you have mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, which work well with poker apps if you’re playing low stakes.
The best real money poker apps you can download in the UK offer seamless payments. That means you won’t need to leave the poker app to make or confirm transactions.
Poker App Cash Games
Cash games on the best poker apps should mirror what you find on desktop devices. That means you should be able to play Hold’em and Omaha as standard.
Games should start at low stakes and go up to $3/$6 at worst. The only exceptions to these rules are super high-stakes games. But even those cash games are becoming more commonly available on poker apps.
Poker App Tournaments
Tournaments are less popular with mobile poker players simply because of the time commitment they require. Unlike cash games that you can dip in and out of, you’re stuck in a tournament until you win or you’re eliminated.
Because of that, it’s rare to see experienced players grinding high buy-in MTTs, such as Sunday majors, on their phones.
If you’re going to play poker app tournaments, we recommend sticking to freerolls or SNGs. Freerolls are risk-free, so it won’t matter as much if you lose interest after a while. And SNGs are over relatively quickly, so you won’t be locked in for hours.
Free Poker Apps
All online poker apps are free to download. In fact, if you come across an app that costs money to download, it’s either a scam or something you should avoid. CoinPoker, GGPoker, and all of the other top-rated poker apps in the UK are free to use.
That doesn’t mean you always get to play for free. There are apps for that. Social poker apps such as Global Poker allow you to play for free using virtual credits. These free poker apps have their place.
Specifically, they’re useful if you want to hone your skills without any risk. The downside to free mobile poker apps is that the game selection is limited. What’s more, people often play differently when there isn’t any money at stake. Therefore, it’s not an accurate representation of what it’s like to play real-money poker.
That’s why we recommend real-money poker apps such as CoinPoker. They’re free to download, and they run daily freerolls. These MTTs are risk-free, so they’re ideal for honing your skills. They also offer cash prizes, which makes them the best of both worlds.
Poker App Payments
The best real money poker app in the UK right now is CoinPoker. As we’ve explained, CoinPoker is a crypto-first platform, so we’re clearly fans of decentralised payments. But we also understand that using Bitcoin will be new to a lot of people.
So, before we talk about crypto payments, let’s run through fiat methods available inside UK online poker apps:
- Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard remain a staple option for UK poker players. Even though withdrawals can take up to five days, debit cards are reliable. They’re also easy to use because we’ve used them for online purchases since the early noughties.
- eWallets: Skrill and Neteller remain the go-to payment methods for most players because they offer faster processing times than debit cards. Most eWallet withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. Another benefit to eWallets is that you can use them to store money and quickly move it between the best UK poker apps.
- Mobile Wallets: Apple Pay and Google Pay are designed for mobile devices. Once you’ve linked your Apple/Google account to a bank card, making deposits is a simple matter of tapping your screen a few times. The only issue with mobile wallets is that the deposit/withdrawal limits can be quite low.
- Bank Transfer: The only reason people use bank transfers these days is for large withdrawals. Although slow (sometimes up to 10 days), enhanced security checks for large transactions make bank transfers appealing to high rollers.
The Case for Crypto Mobile Poker Payments
While the methods above are all safe and reliable, there’s a better way to make mobile poker payments. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and USDT are universal, which is why they’re used by the best offshore casinos and poker sites.
That’s important because the best poker apps for UK users to download have USD or EUR as their default currency. That means GBP deposits get converted to USD and vice versa for withdrawals.
Currency conversions cost money. It’s not much money, but it adds up over time. So, if you care about your long-term ROI, it makes sense to use a universal currency such as Bitcoin.
Beyond the issue of currency conversion changes, Bitcoin is ideal for micro transactions. That’s great news for the low-stakes players among you. Cryptocurrency transactions can also be processed in seconds and, perhaps best of all, they’re anonymous.
ACR also accepts crypto deposits. What’s interesting about ACR is that you can make a crypto deposit but withdraw USD (and convert to GBP) using Luxon Pay.
How We Rate the Best Poker Apps
We’ve been in the game for over a decade, so we already know who the industry’s top players are. But that doesn’t mean we make our recommendations based on reputation alone.
Our experts download the best apps and log into mobile sites to see what things are really like. Here are the five main things we look at to determine a poker app’s true quality:
- Seamless Installation: Poker apps should be easy to install and take up very little storage space on your mobile device.
- Always Evolving: We look through the latest app store updates to see how often new versions of software are released and the most common changes. Updates that regularly improve the usability and security of an app are green flags for us.
- Consistency Across Devices: Mobile apps should offer exactly the same games, features, bonuses, and payment options as their desktop counterparts.
- Optimisation: Poker apps should already be optimised for iOS and Android. But the best ones allow you to adjust various settings, including the table layout and colour scheme, so everything is tailored to your device.
- Clarity: Too many online poker operators hide substandard bonuses behind obscure-sounding terms and conditions. We like operators who explain things in a simple language that everyone understands. That way, everyone knows exactly what bonuses they can get and how to claim them.
Key Takeaways
The best poker apps UK players can download right now are packed with fantastic features. In fact, they’re better in many ways because you can play whenever you want. Yes, a smaller screen does make the experience slightly less immersive. But the top UK mobile poker apps still have more than enough features to keep you engaged.
Before you go, here are three things to remember when you’re gaming on the go:
- Customise your app to ensure you’ve got a clear view of the action, regardless of how many tables you’re playing at once.
- Don’t be afraid to try cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals. Transactions are not only processed quickly and anonymously, but in a way that doesn’t incur unnecessary currency conversion fees.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. Enabling Touch/Face ID logins is smart, but it’s easy to get distracted when you’re gaming on the go. Avoid this by staying alert at all times.
Keep these things in mind, and you’ll have a lot of fun using the best UK poker apps.
FAQs
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References
- UK mobile phone statistics 2025 (Uswitch)
- What is blockchain technology? (IBM)
- How Face ID works (Apple)
