The UX Mistakes That Cost Poker Sites Thousands Per Year

Did you know many poker sites lose thousands of dollars every year because of poor user experience (UX)? As the online poker industry grows, many platforms still struggle with one key issue, which is poor UX. Small mistakes in UX, like confusing buttons or slow-loading pages, frustrate players and make them leave. When players leave, poker sites lose money.

Poker site owners and designers need to be aware of these common UX mistakes in online poker and understand how they can hurt their business.

Most Common UX Mistakes Poker Sites Make

Even though poker sites work hard to create fun and engaging games, the experience players have with the site can be just as important as the poker games themselves. When poker UI/UX design isn’t properly executed, players often find themselves frustrated, which leads to them abandoning the site. Let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes.

#1 Confusing Onboarding That Makes Players Quit Before They Start

First impressions matter. And when new players arrive on a poker site, they should be able to sign up and get into the game as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, many poker platforms fail at this step. Whether it's a long and complicated sign-up form or a confusing verification process, onboarding issues are one of the top reasons players leave.

A survey by Statista found that 55% of users abandon a website if the sign-up process is too complicated. In the context of poker sites, this means that a poor onboarding process can directly impact player retention.

To improve this, poker sites need to streamline their sign-up process. Asking for too much information upfront is a big no-no. A simple, short form, along with clear instructions on the next steps, will help new players get started quickly.

Also Read: How to Create the Best Poker Software UI/UX

#2 Slow Load Times and Heavy Graphics

Everyone is used to fast-loading sites. When poker sites take too long to load, players become impatient and leave. A study by Google revealed that 53% of mobile users will abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load.

Heavy graphics, animations, and overly complex designs can slow down a poker site significantly. While visual appeal is important, it should not come at the expense of speed. If the page takes forever to load, or the poker table lags during a game, players will quickly move on to another platform that offers a smoother experience.

The priority should always be providing a fast, seamless experience, especially on mobile devices where load times tend to be more critical.

#3 Unclear Buttons and Actions During Gameplay

Online poker isn’t just about winning chips, it’s about the smooth flow of gameplay. Players should never have to second-guess whether they've clicked the "Call" or "Raise" button. Yet, many poker sites fall victim to poor button design: too small, poorly placed, or hard to read.

When poker buttons are difficult to spot, players may end up making mistakes—like misclicking or waiting too long to make a decision.

Fixing this is simple: make buttons clear and large enough to be easily clickable, especially for mobile users. Buttons should also be color-coded (e.g., green for "Call," red for "Fold") to indicate their action clearly. A well-designed poker UI/UX can significantly enhance the gameplay experience and reduce mistakes.

#4 A Messy Lobby That Overwhelms Players

When players first enter a poker site, they are often faced with a lobby filled with overwhelming options. Tables of various types, stakes, and formats, all competing for attention, can confuse and frustrate players, particularly new ones.

A cluttered lobby creates unnecessary cognitive load, leaving players uncertain about which table to join. Players may end up wasting time trying to figure out where to play, which means they might leave before even starting a game.

A clean, organized lobby with easy-to-use filters can solve this problem. Categorizing games by type, stakes, and player skill levels will make it easier for players to find the games that suit their preference.

#5 Poor Mobile Experience

In 2021, Statista reported that 50% of global gaming revenue came from mobile games. If poker sites don’t offer a smooth mobile experience, they’re missing out on a massive portion of the player base. Unfortunately, many poker sites still haven’t adapted their platforms properly for mobile devices, leading to a frustrating experience for players.

To fix this, poker platforms must ensure their sites are mobile-responsive. Optimizing design for smaller screens, using larger touch-friendly buttons, and reducing the complexity of the layout will create a better mobile experience for players.

#6 Weak Feedback and Lack of Clarity

Another common mistake poker sites make is failing to provide proper feedback to players. Whether it’s confirmation that a bet was placed or an error message when a transaction fails, unclear communication can leave players frustrated and unsure of what’s going on.

For instance, when a player deposits funds but the transaction doesn’t go through, there should be a clear error message explaining why. Similarly, when a player places a bet, they should immediately see confirmation of their action.

This lack of feedback can cause players to doubt the platform, potentially leading them to stop playing. Fixing this is simple: add clear confirmation messages, success notifications, and error tips to help players feel more confident and in control of their experience.

#7 Not Testing with Real Players

Many poker sites launch without proper user testing, assuming that what works for the developers will work for the players. However, the reality is that real players behave differently than developers expect.

Without proper user testing, poker platforms may miss out on key insights into how players interact with the site and where the UX mistakes lie. A feature that seems intuitive to a designer might confuse or frustrate an average player. Poker site owners should conduct thorough poker game testing with real players before going live to ensure a smoother user experience.

How These UX Mistakes Add Up Financially

When poker sites make UX mistakes, the consequences are far-reaching. Players who struggle with a confusing interface are more likely to abandon their session, leading to a direct loss in revenue. According to a study by Baymard Institute, every 1% improvement in user experience can lead to an increase of 10% in revenue.

Let’s break it down further. If a poker site loses just 1% of players each month due to poor UX, that’s a significant number over the course of a year. When players leave without depositing or abandoning games in the middle, these small losses quickly add up to thousands of dollars in missed revenue.

By fixing these UX mistakes, poker sites can boost retention, increase deposits, and enhance overall player satisfaction, resulting in a healthier bottom line.

What a Good Poker UX Looks Like

A good poker UX is all about creating an intuitive, enjoyable experience for players. It should prioritize speed, clarity, and simplicity. Here’s what a solid poker site looks like:

• Simple, quick registration and onboarding

• Fast load times and smooth gameplay with minimal lag

• Clear buttons with easy-to-understand actions

• Organized lobbies with filters and recommendations

• Mobile-friendly design that adapts to any screen size

• Quick feedback for every action taken by the player

When poker platforms focus on these areas, players will feel more engaged, more satisfied, and more likely to return.