Casino Legends – Free Poker Guide
If you are looking to play free or real-money poker, Casino Legends has you covered. Find all you need to know right here with our free poker guide. Where to play poker? How to play poker? Bonuses? All is discussed right here.
Why You Should Play Free Poker Casino Games
Wondering why you should play free poker online? For the most part, you should consider how it helps you to practise poker online for free; essentially it’s a free poker trainer. This provides poker players with a chance to play poker online without a deposit, and with most online casinos, you would not be obligated to open an account to play free games.
Still needs convincing? Find the 3 most important benefits below:
Try riskier strategies
This gives you a chance to try riskier poker strategies such as continuation bets (c-bets).
Less Competitive
The pros are not keen to play games that do not include the possibility of winning real money. Playing free games will put you on the competitive edge of playing against players of the same skill level.
The Best Poker Trainer
Free online casino games can be considered to be the best possible poker trainer if you are a beginner who is still learning the ropes.
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Our content features affiliate links, through which we may earn a commission on casino registrations and deposits. Rest assured, we only recommend casinos that are licensed and have been thoroughly vetted by our casino experts. Discover the facts with us, then dive into play.
Top Casino Legends Approved Free Poker Casinos
Casino Legends provides you with the most trusted information regarding online casinos’ whether you want to play free poker games or for real money, the casinos listed here are among the most popular poker platforms for UK players and are Casino Legends Approved.
Welcome Offer
PAYMENT METHOD
Unique Poker Features
- Poker Rewards Program
- Poker-dedicated App
- Tournaments
Welcome Offer
PAYMENT METHOD
Unique Poker Features
- Large variety of live poker games
- Poker-specific promotions
The Casino Legends Criteria for Best UK Online Poker Sites
Casino Legends is dedicated to providing information on reputable online casinos with a wide range of quality poker games. Luckily, the UK has many great options for players to choose from. That being said, we still do our due diligence in ensuring that we only recommend reputable poker sites with a focus on helpful promotions, quality games, tournaments, user-friendly sites, and more. See our full list of approval criteria factors below.
Casino Legends Approval Criteria
Casino Legends approved online poker casinos meet our approval requirements and stand as platforms we trust and believe in for fairness and quality entertainment. Whether you are only getting started with online gambling or are an expert, our approved online casinos are safe and reputable. Stay up to date on all the latest casino news, free UK games, and live dealer poker tournaments, and ultimately, find the best free online poker sites by trusting our expert reviews.
Pros and Cons: Free Poker vs Real Money Poker
Free poker has its place in online casino gaming, providing a means of practice before moving on to real money poker or simply playing free games for entertainment. But there’s more; find more pros and cons for real money and free poker games.
Free Poker Pros
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Generally, no sign-up is required
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Try seemingly high-risk strategies with no risk
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It is free – No deposit or bankroll is necessary
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Good for learning types of poker you may not be used to
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Play against RNG rather than professional players who may outcompete you.
Real Money Poker Pros
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Extravagant welcome bonuses to opt in once you are ready to play for real money
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A wide variety of poker titles are available
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Live dealer casino lobby access
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Lucrative opportunities to win real money
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Ability to take part in poker tournaments
Free Poker Cons
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No bonuses or credits with free gameplay as sign-up is not necessary
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No real money wins to look forward to
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Significantly fewer game titles to choose from
Real Money Poker Cons
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Sign-up is required
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Risks of bankroll loss are involved by playing for real money
How To Play Online Poker Tournaments
If you sign up for a reputable ‘Casino Legends Approved’’ online casino, you can play anything from free poker tournaments to live dealer poker all on one platform. With some gambling platforms, you may not have all these options permanently. However, games and tournaments are always re-introduced on a short- or long-term basis. Below, you can find a quick overview of how to get started with different types of tournaments and video poker.
Sit & Go
Sit & Go tournaments are mainly played by beginners to intermediate players looking to get in on live online poker tournaments to test their skills and strategies on other players. Generally, sit & go tournaments require up to six players. Join in on a sit & go tournament and wait for the minimum number of players to join. Once the required amount of players is active, the tournament will start.
Multi-Table Tournaments MTS
If you’re looking for the big wins, then MTS games should be on your radar—these tournaments. Simply join the tournament and purchase an amount of chips along with an entry fee ‘’if applicable’’ and start playing. If you lose your chips you will hover, and automatically be eliminated from the tournament.
Progressive Knockout
A progressive knockout tournament is where the real big wins are. Simply keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming knockout tournament, and join in. After joining, you will be able to play various events of either high-tier or low-tier categories. Next, simply compete for the jackpot.
Bounty / Knockout Tournaments
Bounty tournaments can be joined in at most online casinos that have a focus on poker. The main difference between a bounty tournament and a standard sit & go tournament is that you will be rewarded with cash wins each time you knock another player out of the game. Simply join in, say no to cooperation plays, stay aggressive with our chips, and keep an eye on the prize pool.
Multi Flight
Multi-flight tournaments are phased tournaments with multiple entry stages on separate days. Each flight will see one player qualifying for the final phase. You can join in on Multi Flight tournaments such as the Unibet Poker Phase Cup ‘when available’ for your chance to win some of the biggest prizes in online poker. To get started, simply pay your entrance fee ”+-£10’’.
Freerolls
Want to join free poker tournaments? Freerolls are generally your best chance at a free tournament. Once again, Unibet takes the lead in free online poker with various freeroll chances such as Unibet Open Bounty, Bounty Hold’em freeroll, and Bounty Omaha Freeroll. Simply put, a freeroll poker game is a tournament with no entry fee associated with gaining entrance.
Satellite Tournaments
Satellite tournaments are simply defined as tournaments that earn you a seat in larger tournaments. Simply put, you will be required to make it through various satellite stages to qualify for the buy-in tournaments. Join in on any advertised satellite tournament to get started.
Types of Online Poker Games to Play in the UK
There are many different types of Poker to choose from if you are looking to play free poker tournaments, free live dealer poker, or even video poker. If you are a beginner, we recommend you start with a standard variation of Texas Hold’em (top of this list). Are you feeling brave? Try an exciting live dealer poker game or join a tournament of any of the following types of poker games.
Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold’em is not just the most popular poker game for UK players but also among those looking to play free poker. This all-time classic is perfect for playing poker online without a deposit and joining free poker tournaments. Try Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker from Unibet if you are already experienced with Texas Hold’em.
How Texas Hold’em is Played
Each player gets dealt two cards face down, “hole cards” before 3 face up ‘’community’’ cards are dealt. After this pre-flop and flop phase, you will get a fourth community card, ”the Turn’’ and a fifth community card ‘’the River’. Bets are further placed as players raise, call, or fold after they have decided on whether they want to play their hands or not. In competitive games, a ‘’showdown’’ will occur where the last two players reveal their cards to determine who has the best hand.
Omaha
Omaha is slightly more complicated to learn than Texas Hold’em, which makes this a rare title for free poker play on online casinos. The main difference between the two types of poker is that with Omaha, you get dealt four-hole cards instead of 2. Furthermore, there are 3 variants of Omaha poker, which include Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, and 5-Card Omaha. Yet once you have mastered Texas Hold’em you can try free Omaha from some platforms.
How Omaha is Played
Each player in the game will be dealt four-hole cards before five face-down community cards are dealt on the table. All players can then use up to a maximum of three community cards with two hole cards to build their best five-card hand.
Seven Card Stud
Seven Card Stud Poker is considered to be popular among more skilful players and is generally available as a multiplayer poker game to play free in casinos. Seven Card Stud differs much from the previously mentioned types of poker as it generally does not include a flop round and, in some cases, does not involve community cards. Try Casino Stud Poker by Play n Go for an exciting live poker experience.
How Seven Card Stud is played
Up to eight players can compete in this variation of poker without a flop or community cards. The game starts with two face-down cards and a third face-up. Each player is dealt cards where they can choose the best five-card hand to play.
Five Card Draw
In simple terms, Five Card Draw Poker requires you to simply make the best five-card hand you can think of.
How Five Card Draw Poker is Played
The game starts with each layer being dealt five cards with the first round of betting. After placing your bet, you can exchange three cards and choose if you want to move on to the next bet round. Lastly, the player with the best 5-card hand wins the round.
Razz/Seven Card Lo
Razz Poker is considerably consistent in gameplay compared to Seven Card Stud. The entire ”prize pot” of the game goes to the player who was dealt the lowest hand.
How Razz/Seven Card Lo is Played
Razz poker starts out with a deck of 52 cards and can be played with up to 8 players, making it the perfect multiplayer online poker free game for UK players. Each player gets dealt 2 cards face-down and a third face-up card. After looking at your hand, you can then decide whether you want to continue or not. By the seventh round, the player with the lowest hand wins the game.
H.O.R.S.E. Poker
H.O.R.S.E Poker is widely played by poker fanatics who are looking for competitive and exciting gameplay. Horse Poker involves five different types of games in a rotation gameplay format. The different poker disciplines include Texas Hold’em Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi/Lo.
How to Play H.O.R.S.E Poker
The five poker disciplines involved are played in order of Hold’em, Omaha Hi/lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and lastly, Stud Hi/Lo. Each game is played for one round before moving on to the next.
Pineapple
This exciting variation of Texas Hold’em poker is a newer type of poker game on the block that is drawing the attention of many poker fanatics. The game has simple gameplay, with only 3 cards being dealt to each player.
How to Play Pineapple Poker
The game begins with the player receiving 3 cards and starts with the small blind once all cards are dealt. Next, all players are required to discard one of their cards. The player to the left of the big bling then needs to fold, call, or raise to reveal the winner.
Chinese Poker
Chinese poker involves up to 4 players competing, with each player having their cards in three different poker hands.
How to Play Chinese Poker
Chinese poker starts by first agreeing to the point of value. Next, the game begins with each player being dealt 13 cards. Each player can now organise their cards into 3 different hands, which involve two 5-card hands and one 3-card hand. When done, the hands need to be placed face down on the table. Lastly, all hands are compared to determine who has the greatest point value.
Double Flop Texas Hold'em
Double Flop Texas Hold’em is similar to the original variant, with the main difference being a double set of communities are being dealt with separately.
How Double Flop Texas Hold’em is Played
This variation of Texas Hold’em is played in the same manner as the standard variation, with the difference being that there are more than 5 community cards. While playing online, you will notice the rules of the lower and upper boards will be made visible as the game starts.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud poker derives from the other popular stud poker variations, including seven and five-card stud poker. Some of the most popular titles found online include Caribbean Stud Poker Jackpot by Evolution Gaming.
How Caribbean Sud Poker is Played
Simply place your bets on the Ante. High cards are considered the lowest to a royal flush, which is the highest. At the start of your first hand, you will be required to place the Ante in the box, which will be visible to you. This is the perfect variation of poker to play against a real dealer online, as no other players are required.
Follow Casino Legends for more information on other gaming options in the UK, such as free baccarat and free blackjack.
Video Poker: The Pillar OF Free Online Poker
Video poker is available from most online casinos and is one of the longest-standing types of poker games for online play. Video poker is simply a poker game that uses RNG to determine hands and results in games and does not always require other players as in multiplier online poker games.
How To Play Online Video Poker
Video poker games see both the player and the dealer going head-to-head to win the best hand. You will be dealt 5 different cards in the first round, from which you need to choose which to hold and which cards to get rid of. These cards will then be replaced by community cards. Some of the best hands to try and combine include a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kinds, Flush, Straight, Full House, Three of a Kind, Two pairs, and Two Jacks. All these hands are possible to combine on video poker. If you decide to play for real money rather than the free demo mode, you can choose the Collect button on the video poker game to get paid out your winnings. If you lose one hand, however, the game is over, and you can choose whether you want a new hand or not.
Game Variations
There are plenty of different variations to choose from with video poker. It should, however, be considered that Texas Hold’em and Omaha titles are generally only available in live and real dealer formats and not easily found as free-to-play video poker versions. If you want to play a particular free poker game, you can always select to play the ”demo” version, as on 32Red, where you can play Aces & Faces Poker in demo or real money mode.
Free Poker FAQ
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How can I play free poker?
Free poker can be accessed at many reputable online casinos in the UK. By playing free poker, you will need to play with bonus credit and try to build the strongest hand possible to beat the RNG poker game. If you do not wish to keep the cards that you have been dealt, you can discard them, at which point they will be replaced with a new hand. You generally get two chances at building a strong hand.
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How does free poker gaming work in UK casinos?
Free poker is played through the chance of a random number generator and does not usually include any live versions for free play. These video poker games are played with bonus credit, which is not redeemable for real money wins unless certain wagering requirements are met. Online casinos have different takes on how their free poker games work. Always consider the terms of free poker games.
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How can I increase my poker skills?
Free poker games stand as the perfect way to practise and improve your skills without using any real money. By incorporating any of our Casino Legends tips, advice, and poker strategies, you will be able to increase your skills with practice on free poker games.
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Can you win with real money with free poker?
Real money wins are generally not possible through free poker games. Free poker games are purely for entertainment purposes and to improve your poker skills. It is, however, possible to learn about what realistic payouts you may expect when playing with real money and how to practise patience when playing poker.