While playing poker online is primarily about a player’s skill and luck, the social aspect is a major draw for many. The best UK poker sites have recognized this, and have invested in features that help create an interactive and engaging community. These features go beyond simple chat boxes at the tables, fostering a sense of camaraderie and making the online experience feel more like a real-life game night.
Here’s a look at some of the best uk poker sites that excel in building interactive communities.
1. PokerStars: Home Games and Community Forums
As one of the world’s largest online poker sites, PokerStars has a massive community and has developed tools to help players connect.
- Home Games: This feature is a game-changer for players who want to host a private game with friends. You can create a custom poker club, invite your friends with an exclusive code, and schedule private cash games or tournaments. The site has also added video chat to these games, bringing the social element of a home game to the online world.
- PokerStars Community: PokerStars has a presence on platforms like Discord and its own community hub, where players can get answers to questions, discuss poker strategy, and connect with other players outside of the tables.
2. GGPoker: Integrated Social Features
GGPoker has taken a modern approach to community and has integrated several unique social features directly into its software.
- SnapCam: This innovative feature allows players to record and send short video clips to the table, adding a new dimension to table talk and reactions. This can be used to celebrate a big win, express frustration after a bad beat, or simply show a player’s personality.
- Integrated Emojis and Chat: GGPoker’s client is designed with an intuitive emoji and chat system that makes it easy to express emotions and interact with other players in real time.
- Social Media Sharing: The site’s software allows players to easily share a hand or a key moment from their game directly to social media, providing a way to share their experiences with friends and followers.
3. Unibet Poker: The Friendly, Anonymous Community
Unibet has a strong reputation for being a beginner-friendly site, and its approach to community is unique because it combines a social feel with player anonymity. The site allows players to change their aliases, making it difficult for others to track them.
- Community Forum: Unibet runs an active and well-moderated community forum. This forum is a place for players to discuss strategy, report bugs, ask questions, and share their experiences in a positive environment. This provides a valuable resource and a sense of belonging for players.
- No HUDs: By prohibiting the use of third-party Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), Unibet encourages a more natural, less predatory environment where players can focus on the game and interacting with others at the table, rather than on data.
4. 888poker: Play with Friends and Club Challenges
888poker offers a variety of community-focused features that are designed to be fun and engaging.
- Play with Friends: Similar to PokerStars’ Home Games, 888poker allows players to set up private cash games and tournaments to play exclusively with their friends. This is a great way to have a dedicated poker night from the comfort of your own home.
- 888poker Club: This loyalty program, a key community feature, encourages players to complete “Challenges” to earn rewards. This gamified approach fosters a sense of achievement and shared experience within the player base.
These sites are a testament to the fact that online poker is as much about the social experience as it is about the cards. For UK players, the choice is clear: whether you want to play a private game with friends, share your wins with the world, or be part of a friendly forum, there’s a site that has a community for you.
