Daniel Mercer — UK Online Poker Author & Reviewer

My Experience With Online Poker

My interest in online poker started with cash games and low-stakes tournaments. Over time, I moved into researching poker rooms, casino poker platforms and UK-facing gambling sites.

Today, I cover traditional poker rooms, tournaments, mobile poker, casino poker and crypto-friendly platforms.

When I review a site, I want to know whether tables are active, which stakes and formats are available, how the software performs, how bonuses are released and what happens when a player withdraws.

What I Cover

My main areas of research are:

• real-money poker sites;
• cash games and tournaments;
• Texas Hold’em and Omaha;
• poker bonuses;
• mobile poker apps;
• payments and withdrawals;
• Bitcoin and crypto poker;
• licensing and verification.

I also separate traditional player-versus-player poker from casino poker games such as Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker and video poker.

How I Review Poker Sites

I start with the poker product itself.

I check which games are available, what stakes players can access and whether cash tables and tournaments are actually active. A large poker lobby means little if there are few playable tables.

For traditional poker rooms, I pay particular attention to Hold’em and Omaha tables, tournament schedules, Sit & Go formats and available limits.

I also make it clear when a site offers casino poker rather than a real poker room.

Poker Bonuses

I do not judge a poker bonus by the advertised percentage alone.

I check the minimum deposit, maximum bonus, release structure, rake contribution, qualifying games, expiry and withdrawal conditions.

Poker bonuses often work differently from casino bonuses. Some are released gradually through rake or points, so the headline value may not reflect how much a player can realistically receive.

If an offer mainly applies to slots, I do not present it as a major poker benefit.

Payments and Withdrawals

I check minimum deposits and withdrawals, supported currencies, cards, bank transfers, e-wallets and crypto payments.

I also look at withdrawal limits, processing times and verification requirements.

I separate operator processing from payment-provider processing. A Bitcoin transfer may be fast once it reaches the blockchain, but the poker site can still take time to approve the withdrawal.

Mobile and Crypto Poker

For mobile poker, I focus on table usability rather than whether the homepage simply works on a phone.

I look at bet controls, table navigation, tournament lobbies, cashier access and stability during play.

For crypto poker sites, I check supported currencies and networks, minimum transfers, withdrawal processing and any verification conditions linked to cryptocurrency payments.

Licensing and UK Access

I treat licensing and UK accessibility as separate issues.

The fact that a poker site can be accessed from the UK does not automatically mean it holds a UK licence.

I check the operator, stated licence, restricted countries, account requirements, verification rules and withdrawal conditions. Where a site operates under an overseas licence, I make that distinction clear.

How I Compare Poker Sites

I compare the complete poker experience rather than relying on one feature.

A strong bonus does not compensate for empty tables or poor software. Likewise, a smaller promotion can still sit alongside better tournaments, stronger traffic or more practical banking.

My main criteria are poker availability, traffic, tournaments, software, mobile usability, bonus terms, payments, licensing and verification.

My Editorial Approach

I separate verified conditions from operator marketing and include important restrictions where they are relevant.

Commercial relationships do not change how I describe a site. If I find weak poker traffic, restrictive withdrawals, poor software or unclear terms, I include that information in the review.

Keeping Reviews Current

Poker sites change regularly.

I re-check important details such as game availability, bonuses, payments, withdrawal rules, mobile access, crypto options and verification requirements when updating our guides.

If I can no longer confirm a condition, I update or remove it rather than repeat outdated information.

Corrections

If you find an outdated bonus, payment limit, poker format or withdrawal condition in one of my articles, you can contact the editorial team.

I check corrections against the operator’s current information before updating the relevant page.