Poker Games UK: Which Ones to Play on Online Casinos?

Did you know poker was created almost 200 years ago? Ever since, it has continued to grow, and the online poker market boasted an estimated market size of $86.2 billion in 2022! To accommodate this growth, different poker games have been created to match the preferences of all players. Discover the best poker games, how they work, and the top live dealer casino sites where you can play!

The Most Popular Poker Variant – Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em poker is the most popular type of poker game in the world. This poker variant is very easy to play and a great option for beginner UK players who want to start their poker journey. It gained popularity in the early 2000s and has since become a preferred option within the best UK casinos.

How does Texas Hold’em Poker Work?

1. The goal of Texas Hold’em poker is to win cash or chips by getting the best hand possible from a combination of two-hole cards and five community cards. Once the game begins, players must place forced bets known as the small blind and big blind. After blinds have been posted, each player gets two hole cards which only they can see.
2. Next, a round of betting begins, and if at least two players make it beyond this round, the dealer will deal three community cards, known as a flop. All players can see these flop cards and use them as they choose in the subsequent betting rounds.
3. Another betting round takes place before the fourth community card or turn card is dealt. Again, another betting round follows this before the dealer deals with the river card, which is the final community card. At this point, the players left on the table will combine their two-hole cards with the community cards to get the best five-card poker hand possible.
4. The showdown, which is the final betting round, takes place after the river card is dealt. After all bets have been settled, the dealer will announce a “showdown,” and every player will turn their cards to find out who has the best hand.

Texas Hold’em Poker Variants

There are different types of Texas Hold’em poker, including:

• No Limit Hold’em: This is a variant that does not have any bet limit, which makes it great for high rollers. You can try it out at 21.co.uk Casino.
• Limit Texas Hold’em: Here, you’ll be able to wager only the fixed amount which is specified before the game begins. This variant allows you to place up to four bets per round. You can find this variation on most of the newest British gambling sites.
• Pot Limit Texas Hold’em: In this poker variant, you can only wager an amount equal to the pot size. However, you can raise as many times as you choose. You can try this game out on any of our recommended Evolution casinos.

Discover the Omaha Poker Variant

This is a well-known variant of poker that offers exciting gameplay. Unlike Texas Hold’em poker, you get four-hole cards and five community cards. However, you’ll need to use two hole cards and three of the community cards to create your hand. If you’re unfamiliar with the poker terminology, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with specific terms of the game so you can have an easier time learning the game

Omaha Poker Variants

There are different Omaha poker variants you’ll find in online casinos, including:

• Pot Limit Omaha: This poker variant is almost as popular as Texas Hold’em because of the similar gameplay. Here, the maximum amount you can wager is limited to the pot size.
• No Limit Omaha: NLO follows the same concept as Pot Limit Omaha except that there are no betting restrictions. You can wager any amount you want, making it an aggressive game that’s great for high rollers.
• Omaha Hi-Lo: This is also referred to as Omaha 8 or Better, and it comes with a unique twist. Here, the player with the best high hand and best low hand will get the prize in the pot. This twist makes the game challenging and ensures players must constantly change strategies to win.

What Is the Seven-Card Stud Objective?

Seven-Card Stud is another popular poker variant you’ll find in online casinos. Here, the objective is to get the best five-card poker hand using seven cards dealt during the game. This poker variant is a “closed” game, which means you get a combination of cards facing upwards and downwards.

How Does Seven-Card Stud Poker Work?

At the start of a Seven-Card Stud poker game, you get two hole cards and one card facing upwards, called the “door card.” Next, the player with the least ranking card, called the “Bring-in,” places the first bet. As the rounds continue, the dealer will deal extra face-up cards known as “streets.”

Once the seventh card has been dealt, there is a final betting round before the showdown round. At this point, players will reveal their hole cards, and whoever has the best five-card hand claims the prize in the pot.

Seven-Card Stud Poker Variants

There are many variations of Seven-Card Poker, including:

• Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo: This is also known as Stud 8. Here, the pot is shared between the best low hand and the best high hand.
• Razz: In this variant of poker, the player who has the lowest hand wins.

What Is Five Card Draw?

This is a simple poker game that offers tons of fun. The goal of this game is to get the best poker hands using five-hole cards without any community cards. If you prefer, you can win by getting other players to fold.

How Five Card Draw Works

During a game of five-card draw, the dealer deals you five hole cards that are visible only to you. There are no community cards dealt on the table in this variant.

Instead, you can forgo any number of cards you want and get new cards from the deck. This game features only two betting rounds and has no bet limit attached. This makes it a great option if you like aggressive gameplay and bluffing.

How Does Pineapple Poker Work?

Pineapple is a fun variant that is ideal for British players who want to play together with friends. It is a Texas Hold’em variation that features many hands for a more stimulating experience.

You should not have a problem understanding this game if you already know how to play Texas Hold’em. While the rules are almost identical, the dealer gives you three-hole cards instead of two. At some point, you’ll need to forgo one of these cards while the rest of the game follows the typical Texas Hold’em titles.

How to Win Poker Games

Poker is a game that requires patience and strategy if you are serious about winning. Our casino experts have listed a few tips that can improve your winning chances when you play, including:

• Learn and understand poker hand rankings and positions. These can influence the game and how often you win.
• Play poker for free through the demo mode first.
• Wager lower amounts during the learning phase.
• Know when to fold. Holding on when your hand has been beaten will result in you losing.
• Practice responsible gambling. Take breaks when exhausted, create a budget, and stick with it.

Best Sites to Play Poker Games in the UK

There are many online casino sites that let you play poker for real money in the UK. Our experts have compiled a list of the top platforms to begin your poker gambling journey.

PokerStars

This is a great choice for any player who enjoys competitive poker games, considering its huge player base. PokerStars Casino offers over 10 poker variants, tournaments, and stakes for high rollers.

Since the UK Gambling Commission regulates it, you can enjoy your favourite titles here without worries. Cash games start from $0.01 to $400, which makes it ideal for every budget. The best part is that you can enjoy games via the website or the dedicated PokerStars mobile app.

FruitKings

FruitKings Casino offers you over 5 years of real-money poker gaming experience in the UK and has continued to remain a popular choice among British players. It offers numerous cash games, multi-table tournaments, and more. It also features numerous poker variants, including No Limit Hold’em and  Hi-Lo.

King’s Verdict: What Are the Best Online Poker Games in the UK?

Poker games are easy to learn, and there are numerous variants in the UK. We’ve listed some of the best options for new and experienced British punters and explained how they work. All that is left is to visit our vetted online poker sites and pick the one you find most interesting. Remember to play responsibly, as Poker can easily become addictive like other casino games.

If you ever feel like gambling becomes a problem, don’t hesitate to use responsible gambling tools or reach out for help from accredited organisations.