Vancouver, BC
River Rock, Edgewater, Cascades, etc.
Poker room in River Rock is usually busy and my usual choice.
Any Vancouver regular
What's there to represent?There's a solid scene here. But not much in this thread inspires any posting. If you want your answers, come and play. Otherwise, what's the point of answering these questions. ?
Thats great there are people playing live poker. But is there any conversation going on about the Vancouver poker scene online? If not here, is it somewhere else?
Pretty weak representation here by the Van City poker players. Quite disappointing.
I suspect that one reason for this is that nearly all of the recreational and action players have moved to private, invite-only games. Players there do not use nor want publicly available discussion forums such as this.
In the casinos, the remaining players are mostly regs and rocks who are willing to put up with long wait times, high rake ($10+), a lot of short stacks (<$100), and little action.
The poker scene in Vancouver has basically stabilized to that. With so little changing, I guess there's not much to discuss.
The rake is either 10 or 9 at pretty much all games, the wait times are generally not bad anymore, there's more rooms and they have more tables than when that was a major issue, if you use poker Atlas you'll generally not wait at all, I'm a regular and play every game and every stake and sometimes you have to wait a while for the bigger games but you can pretty much always get a 1/3 seat quickly, and stacks below 300 are actually quite uncommon even at the 1/3 tables. The average stack at basically all games is well over 100 BB's. Sounds like you don't play. Most players have multiple other players in their contacts and no reason to post here. The downtown casino has 148 reviews on poker Atlas. I only made this post to correct a few of your incorrect statements. 2+2 in general is pretty dead for most cities. In fact almost all of them. There's alot of poker in the area, 6 different poker rooms all within a 1 hour driving radius. Dealers are hit or miss, food options could be better, but all in all I think the poker scene here is much better than your making it out to be.
Nice to hear some discussion here!
Carnivore, if you are saying that the lack of discussion here has to do with 2+2, is there any other site where Vancouver people can discuss poker and the poker scene at all?
I've always been interested in meeting a solid poker wing man, for both online and live, that I can collaborate and learn/study/master the game with. I know people do this online alot, but I prefer the trust of the face to face interaction and knowing who I'm communicating with. It would just be nice to meet some real poker players around the city. 99% of the poker players I've met are home game recs who have never heard of 2+2 and only did online poker during the pandemic.
Like I said, most people have their 'poker buddies' that they text or talk about poker with. They know those people IRL and see them regularly at the casinos or often become non poker friends too. If you're a reg, you'll likely hit it off with someone and have such a friend in no time. There isn't really any motivation to discuss the scene with people who aren't in it.
Like I said, most people have their 'poker buddies' that they text or talk about poker with. They know those people IRL and see them regularly at the casinos or often become non poker friends too. If you're a reg, you'll likely hit it off with someone and have such a friend in no time. There isn't really any motivation to discuss the scene with people who aren't in it.
Ok cool, but there is more to being a poker player than being a casino reg. I've been that before. But I've also been a guy who's played in regular home games with buddies. And the online world is still a very big part of the poker world in general. So I'd assume there are some online grinders in this city as well.
Moved back in to van recently after being away since 2008/2009. I play live at villa or cascades twice a month. It seems very reg heavy with regs playing musical chairs to find better tables. I see more soft play amongst cascades regs than I do at villa.
Is there a live casino poker scene in the world that isn't extremely reg heavy?
Gwhodidyouthinkyouweregoingtoplaywith?G
Moved back in to van recently after being away since 2008/2009. I play live at villa or cascades twice a month. It seems very reg heavy with regs playing musical chairs to find better tables. I see more soft play amongst cascades regs than I do at villa.
Welcome back to Van Stan Chow! Thanks for sharing. Just curious, but where were you living before and how did the poker scene compare to that?
Never played at Villa or Cascades myself. Mainly played Edgewater and River Rock. Villa is the closest to me so I always get curious about trying it out.
Is there a live casino poker scene in the world that isn't extremely reg heavy?
Gwhodidyouthinkyouweregoingtoplaywith?G
Great question! And would love to know the answer to this myself haha.
In terms of bad regs, that was plentiful in the local home games I was playing at many years ago. In my experience home game players were the weakest group I've ever seen. Definitely some bad casino players too, but there are always regs and good players mixed in.
Based purely on a handful of extremely lol lowsteaks home games involving nothing but hockey/golf buddies, I think a bad casino poker reg would *destroy* that type of game.
IME (yours my differ?), casino poker rooms are like 99% regs. Yes, the overwhelming vast majority of them lose (due in large part to the massive rake coming off the table)... but this also ain't their first rodeo either.
GcluelesslivecasinopokernoobG
Based purely on a handful of extremely lol lowsteaks home games involving nothing but hockey/golf buddies, I think a bad casino poker reg would *destroy* that type of game.IME (yours my differ?), casino poker rooms are like 99% regs. Yes, the overwhelming vast majority of them lose (due in large part to the massive rake coming off the table)... but this also ain't their first
100% to that. Bad casino regs are just so much more experienced than the buddies at home games. They would crush the casual home game players.
Where abouts do you play Gobbledey? Are you an online player at all?
I'm very curious about how much of the Vancouver and Lower Mainland poker playing population likes to play online in comparison to playing live at the casino. I'd be curious to meet other online players.
My buddies did have some online tournaments during the pandemic. But they never kept up with the online play after that time.
Welcome back to Van Stan Chow! Thanks for sharing. Just curious, but where were you living before and how did the poker scene compare to that?Never played at Villa or Cascades myself. Mainly played Edgewater and River Rock. Villa is the closest to me so I always get curious about trying it out.Great question! And would love to know the answer to this myself haha.In terms of bad
I worked in Seoul and Hong Kong. I've pretty much played in most casino poker rooms in Asia and countless private games. Tournaments is booming in Asia, cash games not so much. The laws in varying countries makes tournaments possible by classifying poker as a game of skill, but not applicable to cash games. Best low stakes cash games (IMO) is in Phnom Penh as there's a good flow of Chinese players there.
Phnom Penh - Chinese & tourists (a lot of frenchies actually), soft soft games
Sihanouvkille - Would not advise unless you're well travelled, but games are soft. Need to be careful and spot who are house players in the casino as they will soft play
Seoul - mainly Japanese & Chinese players (stereotypes matter, and yes from a blank slate Japanese players are very tight)
Manila - local Filipinos likes to hit and run + recycle (min buy, double up, buy back in). Tagalog is spoken at the table and the pit bosses don't do anything to deter it
Macau - Chinese and euro grinders, mid to high stakes players. Best to table select if a Chinese whale is playing
Where abouts do you play Gobbledey? Are you an online player at all?
I'm very curious about how much of the Vancouver and Lower Mainland poker playing population likes to play online in comparison to playing live at the casino. I'd be curious to meet other online players.
I've played exactly zero hands on-line. Don't want to spend my time away from work, where I'm staring at a screen, staring at a screen. Don't think it would be nearly as fun / engaging as the live version. Also don't trust any part of it.
If you're looking for poker confidants, you could probably fairly quickly get a handle on who you think is winning in your local pool, then just try starting a friendly conversation at the table with them and see where it goes.
Ggoodluck!G
I worked in Seoul and Hong Kong. I've pretty much played in most casino poker rooms in Asia and countless private games. Tournaments is booming in Asia, cash games not so much. The laws in varying countries makes tournaments possible by classifying poker as a game of skill, but not applicable to cash games. Best low stakes cash games (IMO) is in Phnom Penh as there's a good flo
That is pretty cool that you've played poker in so many different cities and environments. It really allows you to see what aspects of poker are more broad across the game in general, and what aspects are more specific to certain regions and environments.
I've played exactly zero hands on-line. Don't want to spend my time away from work, where I'm staring at a screen, staring at a screen. Don't think it would be nearly as fun / engaging as the live version. Also don't trust any part of it. If you're looking for poker confidants, you could probably fairly quickly get a handle on who you think is winning in your local pool, th
Hey man, I can totally understand how sitting and staring at a screen is sub-optimal use of your free time. It's probably the least enjoyable aspect of online poker.
True I could be more social in live poker cash games. TBH I am mainly quiet and focused when playing live although I do engage in friendly convo when the occasion arises ans not to give off the impression of being a robot. I honestly don't bring up poker strategy in live casino cash game settings though as I don't want to make any declaration to my opponents that I'm a strategic and studied player. I generally try to show I'm just a casual player and gambler if possible.
I honestly think those guys I see at a live casino poker table talking strategy infront of casual gamblers and people who are just looking to have fun playing cards, are complete douche bags, and lack alot of awareness. I'd never be one of those players myself.
I'm definitely more open about chatting poker strategy in online forums or in a one on one setting with someone.
Hello to all my fellow Vancouver poker players and Happy New Year! May you get the flop, turns and rivers that you are hoping for!
Just want to pose a question to you all? Do you have a poker schedule for the year that you follow?
Personally, I don't have a set schedule. But I do follow an informal schedule. During the fall/winter months, I play online on Saturdays and Sundays. This goes from October until end of February. But during those months, if there is a nice day to get outside or if I have other commitments, I'll skip the poker, because life takes priority and poker is always there. I'll also play on a spring day as well if it's rainy, but that is less often. In the summer I like to get outside to the beaches or do bike rides or walks when the sun is out.
My profession involves sitting at a desk and infront of a computer, so as much as I do enjoy poker, I know I always try to maintain life balance. I'm really into working out so I get that balance there. But I know I need to maintain more socializing to balance that aspect of life as well.
Do you guys follow a schedule or just play when you feel like it?
The schedule is that I'm not gonna sit there if the game is terrible, and I'm not gonna leave if it's amazing. I'll also play more when I've got less other things to do, and play less when I've got other things do.
The schedule is that I'm not gonna sit there if the game is terrible, and I'm not gonna leave if it's amazing. I'll also play more when I've got less other things to do, and play less when I've got other things do.
OK. A flexible schedule where you'll play more in better game conditions, less in bad game conditions and prioritize other life activities. Not structured, but I get the idea. I like it.
I only play live and attempt to get out twice per week (booking 103 sessions in 2025 so pretty much exactly on pace). I typically do one session during the week after work and one weekend session (mostly on Saturday). I fit the pokering around the family/etc. schedule. I stay as long as I can if conditions are good, I leave early if conditions aren't as good, but I'm always home to start cooking dinner @ 7:00pm.
GcluelessrecreationalpokerschedulenoobG
I only play live and attempt to get out twice per week (booking 103 sessions in 2025 so pretty much exactly on pace). I typically do one session during the week after work and one weekend session (mostly on Saturday). I fit the pokering around the family/etc. schedule. I stay as long as I can if conditions are good, I leave early if conditions aren't as good, but I'm always
Thanks for sharing man. A targeted number of days per week and the hours are dependent on game conditions and you give more priority to the valuable things in life. Very nice man. Ya I'm sure live can be more time consuming to start a session with travel time and wait time compared to online. But ya, we all have different preferences with poker.
Sounds like you are off work fairly early though if you can be home to cook dinner at 7pm. Unless all these places are really close together.
Sounds like you are off work fairly early though if you can be home to cook dinner at 7pm. Unless all these places are really close together.
2025 was my first year of reduced work hours / semi-retirement, and I work 2 minutes from my poker room, so I can typically get on a table before 1:00pm.
Ghighlyrecommendsemi-retirementifyoucanswingitG
Does anybody know what is happening with parking at Parq given all the World Cup road closures?
Also, is anyone else having problems with the Gateway Casino app (Starlight, Grand Villa, Cascades)? I can get to the "page" for each casino, but the pages show now tables.
Currently you can still drive into and out of the casino/hotel lot, the route is slightly altered due to road closures.
Ok, good to know.
The Gateway Casino app appears missing for Android even on
The Google Play URL for the wait list app shows this.
Does anybody know what's going on?
Also, is anyone else having problems with the Gateway Casino app (Starlight, Grand Villa, Cascades)? I can get to the "page" for each casino, but the pages show now tables.
I experienced the same problem about a ~week ago and at the time it looked like the whole system had gone down (as the local poker room had to revert to their old call-in system). The room has since gotten back on the system, but my iPhone (which is admittedly old, but has always worked fine since the app came out) now doesn't show any tables / is useless. Oddly / frustratingly enough, the app still works fine on my iPad. Lol @ technology.
Gitisjustmeoristhereliabilityoftechnologygetting*way*worse?G
Ugh. Why not just build a website app? Then they'd only have to design/build/secure/maintain ONE app instead of several.
Nothing on my devices is working in terms of the Gateway Casino app: It's not showing in the app store and neither website for the app is working. Boo unreliable tech!
