Best Online Poker Tournaments For UK Players in 2026

This page ranks the sites with the best online poker tournaments in the UK, focusing exclusively on tournament play.

Whether you prefer large-field multi-table tournaments (MTTs), quick 'Sit & Go' events, freerolls, or satellite qualifiers, the best UK poker sites offer tournaments for every style and bankroll.

All of the sites featured here are UK-licensed and suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

Types of Online Poker Tournaments

If you're new to tournament poker, or if you're thinking of trying a new type of tournament, here's a quick explainer of how they work:

Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs)

MTTs are scheduled tournaments featuring multiple tables and large player fields.

All players start with the same number of chips, and tables break as players are eliminated until one winner remains.

MTTs are the most popular tournament format in the UK and often feature guaranteed prize pools.

Sit & Go Tournaments (SNGs)

Sit & Go tournaments begin as soon as enough players register, rather than at a fixed start time.

They are typically smaller than MTTs and ideal for shorter sessions.

Many sites also offer jackpot-style SNGs, where the prize pool is randomly determined before play begins.

Freerolls

Freerolls are tournaments with no buy-in that still award real-money prizes or tournament tickets.

They are widely used by poker sites to attract new players and reward loyalty.

Freerolls are ideal for beginners or players looking to build a bankroll with minimal risk.

Satellites

Satellite tournaments award entry into higher buy-in tournaments instead of cash prizes.

They allow players to qualify for major online or live poker events for a fraction of the usual cost.

Satellites often run in multiple stages, starting at very low buy-ins.

Guaranteed Tournaments

Guaranteed tournaments promise a minimum prize pool regardless of the number of entrants.

If the guarantee is not met, the poker site covers the difference.

These tournaments are popular with value-focused players.

Tournament Structures & Playing Formats

Once you’ve chosen a tournament type, the structure determines how the tournament plays and how much time it takes to complete.

Freezeout tournaments eliminate players permanently once their chips are gone, with no re-entries allowed. These reward disciplined play and are closest to traditional live tournament formats.

Rebuy and re-entry tournaments allow players to buy back in during an early phase or re-enter after elimination. These formats increase prize pools and often encourage aggressive early play.

Turbo and hyper-turbo tournaments use faster blind levels, reducing playing time but increasing variance. They are popular with players who want quicker results or have limited time.

Progressive Knockout (PKO) tournaments place a bounty on every player’s head. When you eliminate an opponent, you win part of their bounty while the rest is added to your own, creating dynamic strategic decisions throughout the tournament.

Mystery Bounty tournaments hide bounty values until a player is eliminated. Knockouts trigger random prizes that can range from small amounts to very large rewards, adding excitement and unpredictability.

Deepstack tournaments begin with larger starting stacks and slower blind increases, allowing for more post-flop play and rewarding patience and technical skill.

How to Choose the Right Tournament

Players with limited time may prefer turbo formats or Sit & Gos, while those chasing large payouts often gravitate toward guaranteed MTTs and bounty tournaments.

Beginners typically benefit from smaller-field events, freerolls or deepstack formats that allow more decision-making per hand.

Understanding both tournament types and structures ensures you can choose events that match your goals and play style, whether you’re playing casually or grinding tournaments regularly.

Best Poker Sites For Tournaments in 2026

The following are five of the best sites you can use to play online poker tournaments:

GGPoker - Best For Multiple Tournament Types

GGPoker is widely regarded as one of the strongest online platforms for tournament poker in the UK.

It offers an extremely large daily multi-table schedule covering all buy-in levels, from micro-stakes to high-stakes events.

Tournament formats include freezeouts, re-entries, turbos, progressive knockouts, and Mystery Bounty tournaments.

GGPoker is also known for flagship weekly events and large-scale tournament series, making it ideal for players chasing significant prize pools.

Satellites run constantly, allowing players to progress into premium tournaments at low cost. 

Overall, GGPoker suits both serious tournament grinders and ambitious recreational players.

PartyPoker - Best For Big Prize Pools

PartyPoker is a long-established brand that continues to deliver strong value.

Its tournament offering focuses on clearly structured daily and weekly MTT schedules, making it easy to find reliable events at consistent times.

PartyPoker runs a balanced mix of standard MTTs, knockout tournaments and satellites, with buy-ins suitable for casual players and regulars alike.

While its prize pools are generally smaller than GGPoker’s, fields tend to be more manageable, which many players prefer.

PartyPoker is appealing to players who value consistency and predictable tournament formats.

888poker - Best For Mystery Bounty Tournaments

888poker is especially popular with players who enjoy innovative tournament formats.

Mystery Bounty tournaments are the highlight, adding an element of surprise by awarding random bounty prizes for knockouts.

Tournament traffic is lower than at some larger sites, resulting in smaller fields and a more recreational player base.

During scheduled tournament series, prize pools increase significantly, offering excellent value. 

888poker is well-suited to beginners and intermediate players who want competitive tournaments without overwhelming field sizes.

bet365 Poker - Best For Consistent Network Tournaments

bet365 Poker operates on a shared poker network, with access to a broad pool of tournament traffic.

This means consistent daily MTTs, steady prize pools, and a wide range of buy-in levels.

The tournament offering includes standard MTTs, bounty formats, re-entries, and jackpot Sit & Gos.

While bet365 does not focus heavily on headline events, it provides reliable tournament availability throughout the day.

It’s an excellent option for players who want dependable tournaments without navigating extremely large schedules.

Virgin Games Poker - Best For Casual Low-Stakes Tournaments

Virgin Games Poker targets recreational players and offers a smaller, more relaxed tournament environment.

MTTs are limited in number and focus on low buy-ins, but the player pool is generally soft.

The standout feature is 'Wild Seat Poker', a jackpot-style Sit & Go tournament where prizes are randomly determined.

Virgin Games is best-suited to casual players who want simple tournament options rather than high-volume or high-stakes play.

Best Sites For Online Poker Tournaments Compared

Poker Variants Used in Online Poker Tournaments

While tournament structures and prize pools vary by site, most online poker tournaments in the UK are based around a small number of established poker variants. 

Knowing which games are commonly used can help you choose a site that aligns with your preferred style of play.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the dominant tournament poker variant in the UK. 

The vast majority of online MTTs, Sit & Gos, freerolls, and satellites are played using No-Limit Hold’em, making it the most widely available option across all poker sites.

Best coverage: GGPoker, PartyPoker, 888poker, bet365 Poker, Virgin Games

Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)

Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments offer faster-paced action and higher variance than Hold’em. 

These tournaments are most commonly found on larger poker platforms and are often included in regular schedules or special tournament series.

Best coverage: GGPoker, PartyPoker, bet365 Poker

Omaha Hi-Lo (8 or Better)

Omaha Hi-Lo tournaments split the pot between the highest and lowest qualifying hands. 

Availability is more limited, but these tournaments are typically offered by sites with larger and more diverse tournament schedules.

Best coverage: GGPoker, bet365 Poker

Short Deck Hold’em

Short Deck Hold’em removes low cards from the deck, increasing hand strength and aggression. 

Tournament availability is relatively rare and usually limited to special events or festival schedules on major poker platforms.

Best coverage: GGPoker (primarily during series)

Mixed Game Tournaments

Mixed game tournaments rotate between multiple poker variants within a single event. 

These tournaments are aimed at experienced players and are usually only available during large online series.

Best coverage: GGPoker (series events)

Final Thoughts: Choosing The Best Online Poker Tournaments

The best tournament experience ultimately depends on what you value most - whether that's volume, structure, field size, or tournament format.

All of the sites featured on this page are fully licensed for UK players and focus heavily on tournament poker.

Once you’ve chosen a site that fits your style and bankroll, the best way to improve is simple: pick the right formats, manage your entries carefully, and gain experience by playing regularly.