Best poker app for playing on your phone in the UK - what do you actually use?
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This might be controversial but I actually prefer browser-based poker to apps. Just use Chrome on your phone and go to the desktop site. More functionality and you're not limited by what the app developers decide to include.
Obviously not as smooth but gives you more control.
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Here's my honest comparison after trying most of them:
App Traffic Software Rake Promotions Overall PokerStars 9/10 9/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 888poker 7/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 7/10 partypoker 6/10 8/10 7/10 6/10 7/10 GGPoker 8/10 7/10 6/10 9/10 7/10 Bet365 5/10 6/10 8/10 5/10 6/10 Take it with a pinch of salt obviously, but that's my experience over the last year.
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@roulette_rob Decent breakdown mate. Think you're being a bit harsh on GGPoker's software though - their mobile app has really improved.
Also worth mentioning Unibet poker if you want something different. Smaller player pool but the software is clean and they do some interesting tournament formats.
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Been following this thread with interest. Currently use Stars but getting bored of the same old games and players.
@poker_pete_uk what did you end up going with in the end? And how's the experience been compared to playing on laptop?
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@livedealer_fan Ended up with Stars as my main app but kept 888 installed as well. Stars for serious grinding, 888 for when I want easier games.
Mobile is actually more enjoyable than I expected. Obviously can't 6-table like on desktop but 2-3 tables works fine. Battery life is the main issue - need to stay plugged in for longer sessions.
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One thing nobody's mentioned - customer service quality when things go wrong. Had issues with all the major apps at some point.
Stars: Slow but thorough
888: Quick responses but sometimes clueless
partypoker: Hit and miss
GGPoker: Actually pretty goodMight not matter day-to-day but when you've got £500+ stuck in pending withdrawals, you want someone who knows what they're doing.
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@withdrawal_king So true about customer service. Had £1,200 stuck with Stars for a week last year due to some verification nonsense. Eventually got it sorted but was proper stressful.
That's why I always keep bankrolls split across 2-3 sites now. Never know when you might need quick access to funds.
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Late to the party but thought I'd add my two pence. Been testing different poker apps and tracking my hourly rates to see if the platform makes a difference.
Using statistical significance testing with α = 0.05:
H₀: μ₁ = μ₂ (no difference in hourly rates between platforms)
H₁: μ₁ ≠ μ₂ (significant difference exists)After 200+ hours across platforms:
t = (x̄₁ - x̄₂) / √(s²/n₁ + s²/n₂)Results suggest 888poker gives significantly better results (£12.40/hr vs £9.80/hr on Stars) but that's probably just player pool softness rather than the app itself.
Still, best uk poker app for profit seems to be wherever the fish are swimming!
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@casinofan_gb Finally someone else who appreciates proper data analysis! Though I'd argue your sample size might be too small for reliable conclusions across different stakes and time periods.
But yeah, player pool quality trumps software features every time. Best poker apps uk players should focus on are the ones with the most recreational traffic.
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Just wanted to resurrect this thread because I've been using Paddy Power poker mobile lately and it's actually not bad. Probably won't win any awards but if you're already using them for sports betting, it's convenient having everything in one app.
Player pool is tiny though - sometimes struggle to find a game at £1/£2.