Poker Tournaments UK
Check out the best poker tournament sites in the UK below and simply click the 'visit site' link to sign up and claim a bonus offer when you join.
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Established 1997Deposit £10, receive up to £40 in Free Play
18+; new UK players only; min £/€/$10 deposit; £40 Free Play generated as tickets. 7-day ticket expiry. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org - 2
Established 1997
100% Welcome Bonus up to $888 + £20 Free Bonus
Bonus Code: NEW888New Customers Only | 18+ | UK new players only • £20 free bonus: Full T&C apply • Bonus will be granted in Tournament Tickets gradually over 7 days after the claim date • Each Tournament Ticket will expire 24 hours after it was granted • Deposit bonus: Full T&C's apply • First deposit only • Min. deposit $10 • The bonus will be granted in $10 chunks subject to wagering restrictions of 100 Bonus Points per chunk • Bonus wins are capped at $500 • Valid for selected games only, when playing Casino • Wagering req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • - Full Terms Apply - 3
Established 2014
Deposit £10, Claim £40
18+ T&Cs Apply. Please Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org - 4
Established 2002
Deposit £20, receive up to $30 in Tournament Tickets
18+. New customers only. Nickname required. £10+ deposit = 5 x £5 tickets and 30 x £50 freeroll tickets. £10+ deposit = 100% pending bonus. Max £200 bonus. Bonus released with point accumulation. 90 days to accumulate points. £5 Tokens valid for 14 days. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org - Full Terms Apply - 5
Established 2001
bet365 Poker - Welcome Package of up to €365
€365 bonus is redeemed in instalments based on Status Points earned. Tickets and prize wheel spins expire after seven days. Time limits, exclusions and T&Cs apply. For more information about this offer please visit the website. 18+. New players only. Gamble responsibly. http://www.gamblingcare.ie/. - Full Terms Apply - 6
Established 2004
Bet £20, receive up to £50 in Tournament Tickets
New Paddy Power Poker customers only. Deposit and Spend £20 and get £50 in bonuses. Bonuses released in increments of £10 over customers first 5 days. £20 must be spent on tournaments, twister and SitNGos only to receive bonus. Full T&Cs apply - Full Terms Apply - 7
Established 2007
Earn up to 40% Rakeback
18+. T&C Apply
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Welcome to our definitive guide to the very best online poker tournaments available to UK players. Gambling.com has assembled a team of experienced online poker players to test every legal online poker site in extensive detail. They have presented their expert findings on this page. Read on to discover the best poker tournaments you can play in for real money online, from exciting freerolls to elite tournaments featuring seven-figure prize pools.
| # | Poker Site | Licence Number | Bonus | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Party Poker | 54743 | Deposit £10, receive up to £40 in free play | Party Poker |
| 2 | 888poker | 39028 | 100% Welcome Bonus up to $888 +£20 free bonus | 888poker |
| 3 | GGPoker | 47768 | Deposit $20 receive $100 in free play | GGPoker |
| 4 | Grosvenor Poker | 38750 | Earn up to 40% rakeback | Grosvenor Poker |
| 5 | bet365 | 55149 | £365 first deposit bonus (T&Cs apply) | bet365 |
| 6 | Ladbrokes | 54743 | Deposit minimum £20 for $30 Free Play in $5 tickets | Ladbrokes |
| 7 | Paddy Power Poker | 39411 | Bet £20 receive up to £50 in tournament tickets | Paddy Power Poker |
| 8 | Coral | 39071 | Get $30 worth of free tickets when you deposit £20 | Coral |
How we Rate the Best Online Poker Tournament Sites
Our team of professional poker players will spend several days reviewing each online poker site in an extremely comprehensive fashion. These are some of the key areas we focus on when assessing the quality of sites that host online poker tournaments:
- Guaranteed prize pools
- Buy-in range
- Game variety
- Size of the field
Guaranteed prize pools are important, as you deserve to be amply rewarded for any success you enjoy when playing online poker tournaments. The best poker sites will top up the prize pool to reach a certain level if they cannot attract enough buy-ins.
Buy-in range is also vital. The best organisers of UK poker tournaments online will cater to a broad range of players, from newcomers that want to improve their poker tournament strategy at freerolls to high-stakes players that want to pit their wits against rivals with similar bankrolls.
The best online poker sites offer a strong selection of different games, including options with rebuys, progressive knockouts, deepstack, turbo, freezeout, re-entries and so on. We also assess the size of the field, because the number of participants will influence the prize pools and the tournament length. They essentially need variety and liquidity.
We also focus on the breadth of available deposit methods and the speed and convenience of withdrawals. Our team assesses the quality of the overall user experience, including the quality of the interface, the ease of navigation and the customer support options. We weigh up the attractiveness of the various bonuses, promotions and loyalty schemes too.
We also delve into the ownership of each UK poker site hosting online poker tournaments. We identify trustworthy, reputable operators that are licensed with regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission and have a long history of paying out in full and on time. Our team regularly revisits these sites to ensure they maintain their high standards, and we also review new sites that hit the market, ensuring you are always presented with an up-to-date list of the very best online poker tournament sites in the business.
Different Tournament Types Offered by Leading Poker Sites
You will be presented with a broad range of different tournament types when you land in the lobby of the best online poker sites. These are the key categories you will find:
Multi-table Tournaments
Multi-table tournaments are comprised of several different tables, each of which features a group of players competing for a seat at the final table. The idea is that the best players from each table stay in the game. The core group of remaining players will eventually battle it out for supremacy against one another, and the winner is left with all the chips at the end. MTT poker events are renowned for providing large payouts and thrilling action.
Sit & Gos
A Sit & Go tournament, known as SNG, is made up of a predetermined number of players that compete at a single table. The tournament only begins after a preset number of players have signed up. They usually feature between six and 10 players and run for less than an hour. There is a fixed buy-in and the prize pool is typically divided between the last two or three players, with the winner taking the largest prize.
Freerolls
A freeroll tournament at an online poker site has no entry fee. They are great for beginners, because they provide the perfect opportunity to improve your poker tournament strategy. If you are among the last remaining players, you will win a prize. It could be cash, merchandise, or perhaps free entry to cash tournaments. While there is no entry fee, you may be required to earn loyalty points at an online poker site and exchange them for entry into poker freerolls. If you want more info on this type of tournament and want to find the best poker bonuses and freerolls, our experts have you covered.
Freezeout, Rebuy and Re-Entry Tournaments
A freezeout tournament permits a single entry, with no potential for rebuys or re-entries. If you enter a rebuy tournament, you can buy more chips if you lose your stack or come close to going bust. A re-entry tournament allows you to go back into the tournament with a starting stack, but you will need to pay the full buy-in again.
Deepstacks, Turbos, Hyper-Turbos
The size of the blinds will increase as the online poker tournament progresses. If you opt for a deepstack tournament, the blinds will increase roughly every 10 minutes. A deepstack tournament is a reasonably slow affair. Make sure to check out our large stack strategy guide before playing this type of tournament.
If you would like to speed things up, you can go for a turbo poker game. You would then expect to see the blind increase every five minutes. The next step up is hyper-turbo, where the blind goes up every three minutes. A hyper turbo game can last for less than an hour, whereas a deepstack tournament would typically go on for more than six hours.
Bounties and Progressive KO tournaments
A bounty tournament rewards you for eliminating another player. This is an exciting option for UK poker players, because it adds a great deal of intrigue and drama to each pot. Many players enjoy these tournaments, as you can earn money without having to wait for 85% of the field to be eliminated. It can lead to a lot more short-term fun.
Bounty tournaments are also known as bounty builder events, or bounty hunter tournaments. They tend to have large prize pools. The bounty mechanic can also change the dynamic of the game, because players often follow a more aggressive strategy in a bid to earn a bounty.
One popular form of a bounty hunter tournament is the progressive bounty tournament. In this case, half of your buy-in forms your bounty. When you eliminate another player, you get half of that player’s bounty in winnings. Bounties ramp up as the progressive KO tournament develops, and certain players become major targets due to the size of their bounties. Survival is the name of the game in a progressive KO tournament – also known as an ultra KO tournament – but aggression can also be rewarded.
| Brand | Poker Games | Poker Providers | Mobile Poker Games | Card Game Providers | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Established 2019 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | Visit Site |
| 18+. New depositing on STSbet.co.uk customers only. Promotion from 08/06/2021 until further notice. Once the deposit is made the bonus is activated. Deposit method restrictions apply. Bonus code required during the first deposit, min £10 deposit. The bonus consists of a 100% deposit amount match. The max bonus available is £100. Bonus & deposit wagering requirements x35 within 7 days on selected slots only. Real money and bonus money will be used evenly when wagering requirements are active. Individual bonus funds bets £1 max. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | |||||
Established 2015 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Visit Site |
| Valid for 1st depositors only • Deposit £20 min. with code •Extra Spins (FS) & bonus for selected games only • FS expire in 14 days • FS wins capped at £10, excl. JP wins • FS wins credited as bonus • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • Wager bonus x30 -req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms & T&Cs apply | |||||
Established 1997 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Visit Site |
| New players only • No Deposit Offer: Claim in 48 hrs • 14 day expiry • FP wins are credited as bonus and capped at £10, exc. JP win • 50x wagering • Deposit Bonus Offer: £20 min deposit • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500 • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires within 90 days • Withdrawal terms, No Deposit Offer terms & Deposit Bonus Offer terms apply. | |||||
Phase tournaments are played in sections. In some ways, they resemble satellite poker tournaments, because you must play in Phase 1 to reach Phase 2. However, they differ from satellite poker tournaments, because you take the stack you earned through to the next stage.
Phase tournaments, also known as flight tournaments, often form the basis of major poker series. They are designed to ensure a large overall prize pool and a broad pool of entrants. You do not need to stay awake all night and play for more than six hours. You can also unlock multiple opportunities to qualify for a major event, as you can try your luck several times before Phase 2 commences on the second day.
Shootout Tournaments
Shootout tournaments are a hybrid of MTT and SNG online poker tournaments. There are multiple tables, but they are not balanced as players are eliminated. Instead, play continues until there is just one player left at each table. They progress to the next round, and eventually the best players sit around the final table to vie for the first prize.
Satellite Tournaments
A satellite tournament is a qualifying event for a large, prestigious poker tournament. UK players can enter satellite events with relatively low buy-ins in an effort to win an entry into a higher buy-in tournament as qualifiers.
The most famous satellite poker tournament winner of all time is the aptly named Chris Moneymaker. The 28-year-old accountant from Tennessee paid just 10,000 buy-in. Moneymaker went on to win the tournament, turning his 2.5 million prize. He ended up becoming an ambassador for PokerStars.
| Brand | Poker Games | Poker Providers | Mobile Poker Games | Card Game Providers | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Established 2019 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | Visit Site |
| 18+. New depositing on STSbet.co.uk customers only. Promotion from 08/06/2021 until further notice. Once the deposit is made the bonus is activated. Deposit method restrictions apply. Bonus code required during the first deposit, min £10 deposit. The bonus consists of a 100% deposit amount match. The max bonus available is £100. Bonus & deposit wagering requirements x35 within 7 days on selected slots only. Real money and bonus money will be used evenly when wagering requirements are active. Individual bonus funds bets £1 max. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | |||||
Established 2015 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Visit Site |
| Valid for 1st depositors only • Deposit £20 min. with code •Extra Spins (FS) & bonus for selected games only • FS expire in 14 days • FS wins capped at £10, excl. JP wins • FS wins credited as bonus • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • Wager bonus x30 -req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms & T&Cs apply | |||||
Established 1997 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Visit Site |
| New players only • No Deposit Offer: Claim in 48 hrs • 14 day expiry • FP wins are credited as bonus and capped at £10, exc. JP win • 50x wagering • Deposit Bonus Offer: £20 min deposit • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500 • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires within 90 days • Withdrawal terms, No Deposit Offer terms & Deposit Bonus Offer terms apply. | |||||
Tournament Series
The leading organisers of online poker tournaments run flagship tournament series. These events generate a great deal of excitement and publicity and are run by multiple websites. Here are some of the leading series you can enter:
- Party Poker Millions
- GGPoker's World Series of Poker (WSOP)
- 888poker XL Series
- PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP)
- PokerStars Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP)
You can win life-changing prizes and a great deal of if you prevail in a poker event of this size.
Tournament Poker Strategy
Your poker tournament strategy should vary according to the type of event you are playing in. For example, players are often rewarded for showing greater aggression in a bounty hunter poker tournament. However, there are some key poker tournament strategy tenets that should always serve you well:
Broadly follow a tight-aggressive approach.
Start slow and progressively ramp up your aggression.
Play the right starting hands.
Display patience.
Protect your stack.
Learn to read opponents.
Use cutting-edge software to gain an edge.
Know when to bluff.
Understand tilt.
Retain focus.
Use your breaks effectively.
Avoid unnecessary distractions.
Avoid making rookie mistakes.
Difference Between Poker Tournaments and Cash Games
In a cash game, each chip has a cash value. Players can cash out their chips if they need to leave before the game has ended. In a poker tournament, your eventual payout is determined by your final position in the game.
The money raised from the buy-ins goes into the prize pool, and you will be informed of how the funds will be divided prior to the tournament commencing. Some games are winner-takes-all, but there are usually prizes for the runner-up and other players that reach the final stages of the online poker tournaments.
Different Stages of a Poker Tournament
A typical online poker tournament can be divided into various distinct stages: early, middle, late, and final table. You should adjust your poker tournament strategy according to which stage you are in. For example, it might be sensible to play tight and wait to make highly profitable decisions in the early stages of a UK poker tournament. You need to stay calm and collected until you reach the middle rounds.
As you move into the middle stages, it is often beneficial to loosen up a little and start 3-betting mid-pocket pairs and high suited connectors in certain positions. This is a great opportunity to bolster your stack with chips ahead of the bubble stage. You can try to steal tight players’ blinds and re-steal more and shove for value, but you must remember to defend your blinds.
Your strategy in the late stages and final table will be largely dependent upon the size of your stack. Have a look at our medium stack strategy guide to find out how to play when you're in the middle of the pack in a tournament.
How to Become a Better Tournament Player
Once again, your approach must be tailored to the types of poker tournaments you are playing in, but these are some broad tips to help you become a better player:
- Start out tight and play more aggressively in the late stages.
- Make sure your stack does not fall below 10 big blinds (and check our our short stack strategy guide to find out how to play when you're running low).
- Display poise, focus and patience.
- Practice sensible bankroll management.
- Learn to avoid tilt and exploit emotions in other players.
- Practice constantly and learn to keep your emotions in check.
For more detailed advice on poker tournament strategy, check out our 12 steps to becoming a professional poker player.
FAQ
How to play online poker tournaments?
You can play online poker tournaments by signing up for an account with one of the reputable sites recommended by Gambling.com. When you have funded your account and claimed your welcome bonus, you will be able to choose from a broad selection of tournaments, including multi-table tournaments, sit and go events, and freeroll tournaments.
How to play online poker tournaments for free?
You can learn the ropes and hone your strategy by playing in tournaments that do not require an entry fee. They are known as freeroll tournaments, and they are available at most leading online poker sites. You can win cash prizes, tournament-entry tickets or merchandise if you are successful at poker freerolls, but you may need to accumulate player points to gain entry into them.
Which poker site has the biggest guarantees?
PokerStars has historically reigned supreme as the poker site with the largest guarantees, but GGPoker has recently started to break records with the size of its prize pools. Sites like PartyPoker and 888poker also have large guarantees for their poker tournaments. UK players can also check out the poker rooms at leading bookmakers such as bet365 and Ladbrokes.
Which is the best software for online poker tournaments?
Serious players seeking to flourish at the best poker tournaments can use a wide range of tools to help them succeed. Programmes like Hold’em Manager, Poker Tracker, GTO Trainer, ICMIZER and PIO Solver can help refine your poker tournament strategy and gain an edge over rivals at MTT poker and other tournaments, even at poker freerolls.
What is the difference between cash games and tournaments?
Cash games are traditionally played at one table, with chips, and there is usually a minimum buy-in amount and a maximum buy-in amount. Players can cash out their chips if they want to leave. Tournament poker can be played on multiple tables, the poker tournaments go on until one player has all the chips, and players win prizes according to where they finish.
Which poker site has the best MTT schedule?
888poker, PartyPoker, GGPoker and PokerStars are among the online poker sites with the best MTT poker schedules. You can read reviews of the sites offering the best poker tournaments UK at Gambling.com and choose the operators that most appeal to you.
What is the best strategy to win online poker tournaments?
The best poker players tend to be tight-aggressive players that know how to read opponents, understand tilt, know when to bluff and avoid the sunk cost fallacy. You need to prepare yourself for a long session and display patience, intuition, focus, poise, control and courage throughout the tournament. Using software such as a HUD can also help, while you should also avoid unnecessary distractions and use your breaks effectively.
How to qualify for a live event?
The most obvious ways to qualify for major live poker tournaments are to become a successful professional poker player or just stump up the large buy-ins. If you are not rich or a pro, you can consider satellite poker tournaments, such as full package satellites, seat-only satellites, steps satellites and flip or all-in satellites. If you win a satellite, you will gain a place at a major live event.
What is a guaranteed prize pool?
The organisers of certain online poker tournaments will guarantee that the prize pool will be worth a certain minimum amount. If the tournament does not attract enough players making buy-ins, the organiser will step in and top up the pool to reach the guaranteed amount. This additional funding is known as an overlay.
How are tournament entry fees calculated?
Entry fees to online poker tournaments are essentially calculated based on demand. There is a great deal of demand for poker tournaments with low entry fees, so those tournaments run more frequently than events for high rollers. Most of the entry fee will go to the prize fund, although a fee is also taken by the site that hosts the tournament.
How to calculate ROI on online poker tournaments?
It is very simple to calculate your return on investment in online poker tournaments. Just divide your profit by your total investment, and then multiply that number by 100. In that regard, it is the same as calculating ROI in any field.
