Uncovering Canada's Underground Poker Scene
by Bodog Poker | Mar 24 2010
The game of poker has made leaps and bounds in the eyes of the general public over the last decade, but there are still places in North America where there are no casino
poker rooms to facilitate live cash games and tournaments. In these areas organizing a poker game for profit is illegal, and law enforcement treats them very seriously by periodically raiding games and charging organizers with operating a gaming house illegally. But for those players that prefer the live action, these games are often their only way to play without travelling a hundred miles or more to the closest casino.
Underground games have been a part of the Toronto poker scene for decades, and they continue to provide action to hundreds of players on a daily basis. The nearest
casino to the city is more than a 90-minute drive away. Most of today’s underground games require a membership, or at least accompaniment of a member, to gain entry at all. News on events and tournaments spreads through word-of-mouth more than any normal form of media, and some tournaments cost well in excess of $1K to enter.
The people who run the underground games have to take special precautions to keep their operations running as long as possible. You won’t find alcohol for sale in most underground poker rooms because that would just attract more law enforcement, and food is often free so authorities can’t look to bust them on dining regulations. Added security over the last couple of years has lowered the number of robberies of the games, but the odd one does still occur.
Many players like the idea of playing in these underground games. The romance of playing illegally and spending time with the roughest and most charismatic people of society can be addictive all on its own. The idea that they’re breaking a serious law is tough for many players to take seriously, considering that they’re often in a game seated across from police officers, lawyers, and judges. But the games are illegal, and this added risk makes the organizers charge more than you would find in a casino or online to play the game.
If the underground game has one huge flaw it’s the size of the rake that’s charged. Some rooms will charge as much as 10% of each pot as rake, and even against the weakest of opponents it’s very hard to beat the game. When the organizers charge this much the profit can be enormous if the room manages to stay open for a long time. But the price can be a high one to pay if the room does get busted, as high as $10K fines and confiscation of all equipment and cash.
These rooms will continue to survive at some level even once a casino is built in the greater Toronto area. There will always be players who will play after casino hours or those who can’t play in the casino at all. As long as they don’t mind getting robbed through the rake the rooms will be there, somewhere.
