(Photo: WSOP)
Canada has a long list of great poker players including Daniel Negreanu, Mike Watson, Mike McDonald, Sam Greenwood, Kristen Foxen, and more. Players have numerous options when it comes to playing live or online, and many across the country enjoy catching some cards.
The new Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is now upping the ante with a new poker room and promises to add major tournament action coming regularly to the property. The news is just the latest since the $1 billion property recently opened.
“The new poker room will cater to the market’s vibrant poker community,” Great Canadian Entertainment noted in a news release. “When complete, the poker room will offer 30 tables on a completely private floor with electronic table games and slots available for those waiting and no limit and limit stakes at varying levels, setting the stage for thrilling gameplay. The addition of larger poker tournaments will also be a main feature in the new poker room.”
More Details on the Poker Room
Canadian properties regularly feature major tournaments, including World Series of Poker Circuit and World Poker Tour events. Great Canadian Toronto is now looking to bring in some of those players.
The poker room will include four tables situated in a semi-private area. This exclusive section will cater to higher stakes games and final tables, creating an intimate setting for players. The introduction of poker at will also provide opportunities for poker players at Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel, located in Port Perry and also owned by Great Canadian Entertainment.
“Both properties will offer entry into some of Canada’s largest poker tournaments, further solidifying their positions as premier poker destinations,” Great Canadian noted. “Additionally, with combined ‘bad beat’ jackpots connecting players from both Great Canadian Toronto and Great Blue Heron, the properties will aim to establish themselves as a leading destination for both local and international poker enthusiasts.”
The new poker room is expected to be unveiled later this summer, corresponding with the resort’s new 400-room hotel on Aug. 1. The first phase of Great Canadian Toronto opened on June 20 with 4,800 slot machines, 145 table games, numerous dining options, and more. The coming months will also see the opening of a 5,000-person entertainment venue along with additional dining and retail options.
The casino will also include responsible gambling features including two PlaySmart Centres on the gaming floor. These areas are filled with interactive tools and responsible gambling resources, including information on how to participate in Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s voluntary My PlayBreak program.
Canadian Players Score Big at WSOP
This wasn’t the only news in the world of Canadian poker. At the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, a couple of players recorded some big finishes recently. Quebec’s David Guay scored a win in the $600 Deepstack Championship for $270,972 on July 1.
The victory fittingly came on Canada Day and Guay topped a field of 4,303 entries that produced a $2.2 million prize pool. This marked the first bracelet win of his career, but he’s had several close calls in a series career dating back to 2011. In 2021, Guay finished runner-up in a $1,000 Double Stack event for $276,269.
During the final table at the Horseshoe casino, Guay had a boisterous rail of supporters cheering him on. He was thankful to see so much support.
“It’s great, I had a lot of friends and family here on the rail and some I only know from way back at Playground Poker in Canada,” he told WSOP.com
Guay now has more than $1.5 million in live tournament winnings. He was a bit overwhelmed and emotional after closing out the win after four days of action.
“I’m definitely going to be more emotional later,” Guay said. “I’m going to call my mom soon to let her know.”
Another Canadian also ran deep recently at the WSOP, but came up just short of a win. In the $10,000 No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, Alex Livingston finished runner-up for $227,193 also on July 1.
The poker pro from Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been on a tear so far this summer at the WSOP. He also finished runner-up in the $10,000 HORSE Championship for $261,278 and third in the $5,000 Mixed No Limit Hold’em/Pot Limit Omaha for $235,062. In 2021, Livingston won his first bracelet in a $1,000 Seven Card Stud tournament for $103,282.
Many Canadian poker fans may also remember his 2019 WSOP Main Event, ultimately finishing third for $4 million. The recent performances show that Livingston is anything but a one-hit wonder.
