Is it possible to play poker with small stakes in a pub with a private
room in the UK?  By small, I mean £10 - £30 per person.  Not
high-stakes gambling.

Hi dolivier2006

you might like to look at this question
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=25690

From memory, pubs have special rules in this respect.  You may play
*certain games* for *certain stakes* - the key, I think, is trivial
amounts.

My understanding is that something around £1 per hand is the limit. 
You will usually find a small notice in pubs stating these facts.

You will usually find that specific games are allowed, such as
dominoes or cribbage, but poker is not.

Not definitive and I have deliberately left this without internet
links to let a researcher have a go.

To hardtofindbooks-ga : Thanks for the reference.  I'd already read
the comment before posting the current question, but I don't think it
quite covers the pub aspect of the business, plus I know that the
Gambling Licensing laws are about to change in the UK, I just don't
know how that covers the current popularity of poker right now,

There are many places to play poker.  Your local pub is probably
running tournaments.  Most places in my area are running 100 player
tourneys due to poker's popularity.

Despite the fact that, as already mentioned, poker is being played in
pubs, to do so is currently illegal.

To play poker (and most other card games) on any licensed premises
which is not a private members only club is currently illegal under
the Gaming Act 1968 in conjunction with the Gambling Act of 2005. If
the premises is home to more than half of the participants, there is
an exception. Additionally, there are other exceptions, such as when
the number of participants does not affect the amounts to be won (with
other restrictions), or when a portion of the wagered amount is for a
charitable cause. These exceptions are not easy to comply to though,
there are strict rules on what is valid. For example, when a portion
of the wagered amount is donated to charity, the game must be publicly
advertised at least 24 hours before the event, and results must also
be publicly displayed.

I have spent much time studying the 1968 Gaming Act and the 2005
Gambling Act, as I used to run our University Poker Society, until we
were shut down.

Here are some links to relevant legislation for you to verify this information:

2005 Gambling Act: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/20050019.htm
Office of Public Sector Information:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation.htm

Unfortunately, legislation prior to 1988 is not available online, so
to review the 1968 Gaming Act, you will need to consult a printed
copy.

However, considering the stakes you are suggesting, I would imagine
that if the landlord of the pub is willing to allow you to play,
no-one will cause you any trouble. As suggested before, I would try
ringingyour local police, inform them of what you want to do, and see
if they bother to stop you. I doubt they will. That is only my
personal opinion however, and I cannot be held responsible for any
legal problems you might get into.  =)

Anyway, I hope this information is useful to you.