Playing Professionally

Making a career playing poker in Toronto is not easy.  Aside from the bad beats and card dead evenings, finding a game can sometimes be a challenge.  The only casinos are a trek away: there are three casinos with card rooms, all about a 90 minute drive away.  Outside of online however, games can be found in private underground establishments—to which there are plenty.


Underground in Toronto

Generally speaking, these establishments are honest and welcoming places.  They provide a service that is in high demand.   Honesty is a commodity in an underground poker spot.  Players who feel comfortable playing poker will return time and time again.

I often tell people if they feel as though something isn’t right for whatever reason when walking into these places then simply leave.   I’ve done this many times befor and never returned.  It’s easy to find an honest game, so never waste your time and money on places that don’t seem on the up-and-up.
If the club seems to be taking more rake than they say, if they’ll let anyone into the game with little security, or if you just feel like it’s you versus nine players, these are the warning signs that maybe the club is not as honest or as professional as they seem.

I just trust my gut.  Rarely am I at a game that I wouldn’t endorse, but I always keep my eyes and ears peeled the first time I’m at a location.


The Business of Underground Poker

There are some locations that offer games 24/7.  As long as there’s players, someone is there to facilitate the game.

The clubs that I see most of the time only run on certain days of the week.   Sometimes they’ll offer just one game in a week, sometimes up to four games.  These games typically start around 9pm and run until the game breaks.  This can be just five or six hours, but sometimes the game can last for days.  New players will filter in, former players will return, some will be there from start to finish putting off sleep, work, and general hygiene.

Since different clubs offer games on different days, they often will trade action.  This means that owners will send players to different clubs on the understanding that they the other clubs will send players in return.  This way they guarantee there will always be players at a game.  The players that move around and trade action are called house players.


House Players

The term is broad and can apply to anyone playing for another club.  Some are trying to make a living solely through playing and are available seven days a week.  Some of them are working folk doing it for extra income with some support from a club owner.  These players are backed in one way or another.

There are many variations on agreements between house players and club owners.  I know many players who risk none of their own money.  If they lose the club they play for pays, and if they win, they collect a percentage of the win (typically 50%).  Players who are fully backed are often dealers for their own club.

Other agreements might cover losses.  Everything these players win, they keep, and when they lose a percentage (typically 20%) is deducted.

Occasionally, they are just regulars at a club who are asked on as a favour from time to time by an owner who’s having trouble filling a seat.

Generally speaking, house players are solid players.  An owner wouldn’t want to back someone who is not a profitable player.