Do all Ontario casinos not allow cell phone games being played?

Popkorn

So I'm at GBH right now, sitting at an empty closed blackjack table playing a game on my iPhone, and security comes up and says I'm not allowed to play on my phone while inside the casino. The poker lists are all full and obv no games are opening yet, and I've been here for over an hour already.

I've always played games on my phone to pass the time, but is this a rule in all casinos?

Im already putting up with the 1 hour drive, the long wait lists, the shortage of dealers all the time, and the poor work ethic of many slow dealers here, the fact I have to walk all the way outside the poker room to use my cell (which I don't get cuz ppl stand behind the BJ tables all the time to use it), and now I can't kill time waiting by playing on the phone so now I'm stuck watching tv with NO sound.

Sorry for the Rant. But I can kind of understand why a lot of people say playing poker in Ontario is like playing in a prison.

But seriously, how does playing a game on your phone hurt anyone especially when it's done away from any open tables?

SteveKerr

First I have heard of that.

Thought you could use your phone for games and such as long as you are not a the table.

Maybe its a new security guard thinking the rule is for closed tables games as well

JimmyHo

daily 2/5 at Keele/Finch, starts every day at noon. Main reason I don't play poker in casinos anymore. Too long a wait!

Oh yah, free wifi as well.

blackmagicz

PLO @ Seneca.....let's go!!!

cardsrusa

Hey Popkorn, I work at the GBH and we do not normally say anything to players who are waiting and playing games on their phones. Given that you were at a closed table this surprises me. As for in the poker pit we did allow players to use their phones as long as they stepped away from the table. Unfortunately players could not get up to use their phones so, the rule was changed when the half wall went up. That you had to leave the area. Sorry for that but some people cause rules that effect others.

If someone on the forum could correct me if I am wrong. Do you not have to leave the room at Brantford as well. I have not played up there in a while.

philliivey

Ummm, I am pretty sure this has been a rule for like forever in terms of being in a casino, you can't be on your phone or even have one in a casino, how enforced it is well that's another thing.

Edit:

Unless a major change to this that I don't know about.?

Hellmuth's Mole

cardsrusa;301632 wroteHey Popkorn, I work at the GBH and we do not normally say anything to players who are waiting and playing games on their phones. Given that you were at a closed table this surprises me. As for in the poker pit we did allow players to use their phones as long as they stepped away from the table. Unfortunately players could not get up to use their phones so, the rule was changed when the half wall went up. That you had to leave the area. Sorry for that but some people cause rules that effect others.

If someone on the forum could correct me if I am wrong. Do you not have to leave the room at Brantford as well. I have not played up there in a while.

I was there 2 weeks ago and did not have to leave the poker room. You do have to leave the table. Also I tested the limits by checking my phone at the table during one of the tournament breaks and was not asked to get up (I had always been asked to stand up before.....maybe just a lazy dealer who didn't care that much, and the floor didn't notice).

philliivey;301644 wroteUmmm, I am pretty sure this has been a rule for like forever in terms of being in a casino, you can't be on your phone or even have one in a casino, how enforced it is well that's another thing.

Edit:

Unless a major change to this that I don't know about.?

Ummm, no.

compuease

philliivey;301644 wroteUmmm, I am pretty sure this has been a rule for like forever in terms of being in a casino, you can't be on your phone or even have one in a casino, how enforced it is well that's another thing.

Edit:

Unless a major change to this that I don't know about.?

No such rule like that... Of course you can have (and talk) on your phone in a casino... Issue is, can you use it while playing... at either poker or table games...

Cerberus

compuease;301663 wroteNo such rule like that... Of course you can have (and talk) on your phone in a casino... Issue is, can you use it while playing... at either poker or table games...

Wait... You mean Philli was... WRONG?

Well, I for one am shocked!

[deleted]

philliivey;301644 wroteUmmm, I am pretty sure this has been a rule for like forever in terms of being in a casino, you can't be on your phone or even have one in a casino, how enforced it is well that's another thing.

Edit:

Unless a major change to this that I don't know about.?

Hellmuth's Mole

Damn you gifbin!!

philliivey

No it was a rule with signs at the entrance. Are table games inside the casino? There ya go.

I mean it was years ago than it was as long as you step away it is OK.

This is a long time since I have heard or seen anyone have security come up to them.

[deleted]

...

jontm

Yet you watch 10k events and players are allowed I pads. Don't touch your phone when you are in a hand, don't delay the game anytime...pretty much the rule everywhere else in the first world.

compuease

philliivey;301706 wroteNo it was a rule with signs at the entrance. Are table games inside the casino? There ya go

Philli, I really don't want to keep correcting you but.... have you ever even been in a casino other than Rama?
Even at Rama are you not allowed to have your phone while walking through the casino? What are you supposed to do, leave it in the car?

philliivey

compuease;301709 wrotePhilli, I really don't want to keep correcting you but.... have you ever even been in a casino other than Rama?
Even at Rama are you not allowed to have your phone while walking through the casino? What are you supposed to do, leave it in the car?

Yes and yes.

Hellmuth's Mole

philliivey;301706 wroteNo it was a rule with signs at the entrance. Are table games inside the casino? There ya go

Well there you have it. Glad that's settled.

So, cardsrusa, the answer is yes, any Ontario casino I've ever been in has allowed cell phones, but not at the table......unless you're philli.

philliivey;301706 wroteYes and yes

No and no.

I've been to Rama.

compuease

Hellmuth's Mole;301711 wrote
So, cardsrusa, the answer is yes, any Ontario casino I've ever been in has allowed cell phones, but not at the table......unless you're philli.

Absolutely correct Mole, same in any I have been to in the US in both Vegas and AC. However some are very lax on the rule, certainly I have seen players in AC actually texting and receiving cards at the poker table.
Here in our good ol Ontarioio it is definitely more strict, which actually I am in favour of...

DataMn

Ontario casinos used to be really strict about cell phone use. When I worked at Casino Niagara I would see security guards reprimanding the customers all the time for even the hint of using a cell phone. At Brantford I saw 2 people (on two separate occasions) escorted from the premises for using a cell phone while walking through the casino. That being said, it's been 13 years since I worked at Casino Niagara, and 8 years since the incidents I saw at Brantford.

I think nowadays security knows they are fighting a losing battle to try to prevent all cell phone use, so now it is just limited to when you are away from the table - and even that is getting lax at the poker table. A dealer will usually not bust you unless you are in a hand or someone else complains.

Hellmuth's Mole

compuease;301713 wroteAbsolutely correct Mole, same in any I have been to in the US in both Vegas and AC. However some are very lax on the rule, certainly I have seen players in AC actually texting and receiving cards at the poker table.
Here in our good ol Ontarioio it is definitely more strict, which actually I am in favour of...

The last tournament I played in Vegas it seemed like one guy basically texted every hand he was in on at the FINAL TABLE to someone. Incredibly annoying and elicited only a mild "sir please do not slow the game" from the dealer.