Poker news | Sep 07, 2023
The Top 6 Poker Rooms in London
By RTR Alex
Whether you're a pro or a newbie, London's poker world is a place for all. From grand casinos to hidden high roller rooms, there's a table for everyone to test their luck and show their skill.
Aspers Casino
Aspers Casino, found in East London's Westfield Stratford City shopping complex, is one of the fresh faces of London poker, having opened its doors in 2012. The venue boasts an array of gaming options, including slot machines, electronic terminals, and of course, table games like poker, there's something for everyone.
What stands out in Aspers are the dedicated poker rooms running cash games and tournaments for poker players in London. There are a mixture of low and high stakes games running so the pros and amateurs can both try their luck on the cards 24 hours a day.
If you're a new player, their 'rake-free' poker tables are a great option. Unlike online poker, where we help put rake back into your bankroll, most brick and mortar casinos will take a portion of the pot on every hand. At Aspers though, they offer tables when you get to keep 100% of your winnings.
The Empire Casino
The Empire Casino is located in the heart of London's famous Leicester Square and is one of the city's most renowned venues.
Beyond the usual array of slot machines and tables, one of the best features about the Empire is the Bad Beat Jackpot. This means if you happen to lose with a hand of four twos or better in any Texas Hold 'em game, you could be the lucky winner of a jackpot prize. But what puts this casino in the top 6 is not just the poker rooms on offer but instead how the rooms are tailored to the players.
If you're a regular player, you'll know how uncomfortable it can get when you've been sitting at the same table for three hours. Well, not at The Empire... Each table has reclining seats meaning you can play as many hands of Pot Limit Omaha as you want without feeling cramped or going numb.
The Hippodrome Casino
Joining The Empire in Leicester square is one of the most popular casinos in London, The Hippodrome. The former theatre underwent three years of rebuilding and now boasts a three-floor gaming haven, renowned for hosting PokerStars LIVE events and high-stakes poker tournaments.
The biggest drawback is that there are only four poker tables, but there are plenty of other games to choose from. You'll find blackjack, roulette and everything in between covering every inch of The Hippodrome. The live cash games run 24/7 so there's no shortage of opportunity to play some hands.
The Hippodrome is a building full of history and prestige, so although you may struggle to find a seat during peak hours, if you're looking for a tournament venue or place to play blackjack, this is a great venue.
The Sportsman Casino
Located right in the heart of London, just a few minutes walk from Hyde Park, The Sportsman Casino combines an intimate atmosphere with professional gaming to create one of the best poker spots in town.As the Sportsman puts it the venue is a "Las Vegas style casino, offering classic casino games, chic bars and an award-winning restaurant".
Open from 12pm-6am 7 days a week, you'll find 17 live tables that include the likes of American Roulette, Three Card Poker, BlackJack and Punto Banco, where the table limits range from £10 to £3,000, alongside a variety of slot machine with jackpots between Jackpots £4000 and £20,000 on the progressives.
The Grosvenor Victoria Casino
Affectionally known as 'The Vic', the Grosvenor Victoria poker rooms are not for the faint hearted. The tables will be full of pros and regulars. So, if you're new to the world of poker, this casino may not be for you. On the other hand, if you're a Texas Hold'em regular, this could be a great spot to truly test your skills.
The Grosvenor offers the largest poker room in the city so you shouldn't have trouble finding a seat, but you will need to register to be able to play. Registration may be free, but it serves as a testament to how seriously the game is played in The Vic.
Genting Casino Forty Five
Perhaps the most prestigious poker club in the city is the Genting Casino Forty Five, formerly Cromwell Mint, located in Kensington, there's certainly a dress-to-impress theme that is expected of its guests, reflected by strict smart-casual dress code. So, if you like to hide your poker face under your baseball cap, this may not be the place for you. But what you give up in comfort, you get back in the high-class and professional feel of the poker rooms.
While it may be one of the more classy casinos in the city, there are still plenty of low-stakes tables so you don't have to be a millionaire to play poker in a town with billionaire homeowners. So, if you're a fan of dressing up while you take people's cash, this could be the venue for you.
Of course, in this day and age you can play anywhere, anytime at a range of online casinos. But if you're anything like me, nothing quite beats raking in the chips from that winning hand in a live poker room. So, check out these locations and you may just find your new favourite casino in London.