Poker Clubs in Europe

The European Live Poker Scene

Europe is home to one of the most diverse and vibrant live poker scenes in the world. From the velvet-draped card rooms of London’s Mayfair to the sprawling tournament floors of King’s Casino in Rozvadov, the continent offers something for every type of player. Unlike the United States, where live poker is largely concentrated in Las Vegas and a handful of tribal casinos, European poker is spread across dozens of countries, each with its own regulatory framework, cultural traditions, and playing styles.

The European live poker landscape has evolved significantly since the poker boom of the mid-2000s. What began as a niche pastime in a few established casino cities has grown into a continent-wide phenomenon, with purpose-built poker rooms, international tournament circuits, and thriving local club scenes. Today, Europe hosts some of the largest and most prestigious poker tournaments in the world, including the EPT (European Poker Tour), the WSOP Europe, and the WPT European stops.

Major European Poker Destinations

London, United Kingdom

London remains the undisputed poker capital of Europe. The city’s West End and Mayfair districts are home to legendary card rooms including The Hippodrome Casino, Aspers Casino, and the Grosvenor Victoria (known as “The Vic”). London attracts the highest-stakes cash games on the continent, with PLO and NLHE games regularly running at stakes that rival anything in Las Vegas. The UK’s well-regulated market under the UK Gambling Commission ensures player protection and fair play across all licensed venues.

Prague & Rozvadov, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has emerged as a poker powerhouse over the past decade. Prague’s King’s Casino (now relocated to Rozvadov, near the German border) is Europe’s largest dedicated poker venue. The annual WSOP Europe and numerous EPT stops have made Rozvadov a pilgrimage site for tournament players. Prague itself still hosts smaller festivals and cash games at venues like the Card Casino Prague and Rebuy Stars Casino.

Barcelona & Madrid, Spain

Spain’s poker scene centres on Casino Barcelona, which has hosted EPT Barcelona — widely regarded as the biggest annual poker festival outside of the WSOP in Las Vegas. The venue regularly draws fields of 2,000+ players for its Main Event. Madrid’s Casino Gran Via offers year-round cash games, while Spain’s DGOJ-regulated market ensures licensed operators meet strict standards.

Paris & Deauville, France

France has a long tradition of card playing, and Paris remains a key destination for serious poker players. The Aviation Club de France (now closed) was once Europe’s most famous poker room. Today, the Club Barrière Paris and Casino de Deauville carry the torch, with France’s ANJ-regulated framework governing both live and online play. Deauville’s annual WPT stop is a highlight of the European poker calendar.

Vienna, Austria

The Montesino Poker Club and Concord Card Casino made Vienna a favourite among Central European grinders. While Concord closed in 2018, the city’s poker scene has partially recovered through smaller venues and Austria’s proximity to both Rozvadov and Bratislava’s thriving Banco Casino.

The Nordics

Live poker in the Nordic countries operates under unique constraints. Sweden’s four Casino Cosmopol venues (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Sundsvall) are the only legal live poker rooms in the country, run by state-owned Svenska Spel. Norway has no legal poker rooms, meaning Norwegian players typically travel to Sweden, London, or Prague for live action. Finland’s Casino Helsinki, operated by Veikkaus, offers a modest but well-run poker room. Denmark’s Casino Copenhagen and a handful of regional casinos round out the Nordic scene.

What to Expect at European Poker Clubs

European poker venues vary enormously in size, atmosphere, and game selection. Large casino poker rooms like King’s Casino or Casino Barcelona offer dozens of tables, full tournament schedules, and professional dealers. Smaller card rooms and clubs may run just a few cash game tables on weekends. Here are some practical considerations for anyone planning a poker trip in Europe:

Stakes and buy-ins vary widely. Cash games in most European cities start at 1/2 EUR blinds, with 2/5 and 5/10 EUR games common in larger venues. Tournament buy-ins range from 50 EUR daily events to 5,000+ EUR main events at major festivals. London tends to run higher stakes than continental venues due to its international player pool.

Language is rarely a barrier. English is widely spoken at poker tables across Europe, particularly in tourist-friendly cities and at international tournaments. Dealers in major venues are typically multilingual.

Rake structures differ from country to country and venue to venue. Most European cash games take a percentage rake (typically 2.5-5%) with a cap, while tournaments charge a standard entry fee plus rake (usually 10-15% of the buy-in).

Browse Poker Venues by Country

The Future of Live Poker in Europe

The European live poker scene continues to evolve. Several trends are shaping the future of brick-and-mortar poker across the continent. The ongoing regulatory harmonisation across EU member states is creating more consistent player protection standards. Meanwhile, hybrid online-live tournament formats (where players qualify online for live finals) are bringing new players into card rooms who might never have visited otherwise.

Post-pandemic recovery has been uneven. While major destinations like London and Prague bounced back quickly, some smaller venues permanently closed during 2020-2021. However, new poker rooms have opened in emerging markets like Romania, Bulgaria, and the Baltics, suggesting that the overall European live poker ecosystem remains healthy and growing.

For players considering a European poker trip, the combination of world-class venues, reasonable travel costs between destinations, and the sheer variety of poker cultures makes the continent an unmatched destination. Whether you prefer the glamour of Monte Carlo, the grind of Rozvadov, or the buzz of a London card room on a Friday night, European live poker has something for every player.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest poker room in Europe?

King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic is the largest dedicated poker venue in Europe, with over 30 permanent poker tables and capacity for major international tournaments including the WSOP Europe. Casino Barcelona and The Hippodrome Casino in London are also among the largest European poker venues.

Can I play live poker in Norway or Sweden legally?

In Sweden, live poker is legal at the four Casino Cosmopol venues operated by state-owned Svenska Spel, located in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Sundsvall. Norway does not have any legal live poker rooms. Norwegian players typically travel to Sweden, the UK, or Czech Republic for live poker.

What stakes are typically available at European poker clubs?

Most European poker rooms offer cash games starting at 1/2 EUR blinds, with mid-stakes games (2/5 and 5/10 EUR) common in larger venues. London and Monte Carlo run the highest stakes in Europe. Tournament buy-ins range from daily events at 50-100 EUR to major festival main events at 1,000-10,000 EUR.

Do I need to be a member to play at European poker clubs?

Most casino-based poker rooms in Europe are open to the public with valid identification (passport or national ID). Some private card clubs, particularly in the UK, may require a brief membership registration process, which is usually free and can be completed on arrival. Always check individual venue requirements before visiting.

Which European cities host the most poker tournaments?

Prague/Rozvadov, Barcelona, London, Monte Carlo, and Paris host the most international poker tournaments. Rozvadov hosts the WSOP Europe and multiple EPT stops. Barcelona hosts EPT Barcelona, the largest annual tournament festival in Europe. London, Monte Carlo, and Paris host WPT and EPT events throughout the year.