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

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?

Comments

  • 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
  • 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.
  • PLO @ Seneca.....let's go!!!
  • 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.
  • 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.?
  • cardsrusa wrote: »
    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.

    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 wrote: »
    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.?


    Ummm, no.
  • philliivey wrote: »
    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.?

    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...
  • compuease wrote: »
    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...

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

    Well, I for one am shocked!
  • philliivey wrote: »
    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.?

    1299867456_the-situation-is-shocked.gif
  • 1299867456_the-situation-is-shocked.gif




    Damn you gifbin!!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • philliivey wrote: »
    No 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?
  • compuease wrote: »
    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?

    Yes and yes.
  • philliivey wrote: »
    No 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 wrote: »
    Yes and yes


    No and no.

    I've been to Rama.

  • 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...
  • 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.
  • compuease wrote: »
    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...


    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.
  • Philli, can you take a picture (with you in it) pointing to the sign at Rama forbidding cell phones on casino premises? Maybe also with you holding a sign saying "PFC rules". Might be an interesting conversation piece...
  • I picture him as tall dark and handsome, I dont know why :D
  • @ Casino Niagara you must leave the poker room like gbh.

    A friend reported to me a few months ago that she was told by a dealer at Brantford to turn and face the wall when using a cell. lol. Since then I have made sure to turn my back to the table when using phone @ Brantford.
  • 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...

    I have played in this type of environment and felt like being an Ontarian gave me an edge. Players were distracted and it was great for me.
  • Gottaget wrote: »
    @ Casino Niagara you must leave the poker room like gbh.
    But not leave the casino...
  • At Niagara Casino they don't allow you to use your cell in the poker room and physically have to leave the area. The pit bosses will warn you if they see you using it. I've never been hassled for using or talking on my cell outside the poker room.

    I was at Brantford the other day and the pit boss gave me crap for using an iPod while standing in line for chips. I told him that I would put it away when I got to the table, but he insisted I put it away right away. I thought that was dumb.
  • Obviously this is a case of overly restrictive regulation by OLG? or whoever does the regulating not just the pit boss being a dick.
  • Electronic devices were not allowed during cash games at the poker rooms in Brantford, etc. Floor supervisors exercised common sense at tournaments, and I have used a calculator or iPod a lot inside the poker rooms when there is not a hand in play at Brantford, Niagara Falls, Point Edward, Rama & GBH. For example, if players were discussing a deal at the final table or WPT SNG, there was no problem whipping out my WMD.
    cardsrusa wrote: »
    Do you not have to leave the room at Brantford as well.
  • BlondeFish wrote: »
    there was no problem whipping out my WMD.

    Think that is more info than is necessary...
  • Meistro wrote: »
    Obviously this is a case of overly restrictive regulation by OLG? or whoever does the regulating not just the pit boss being a dick.

    Yes, the regulations are overly restrictive. I also think the pit boss was a dick, too.

    I hate not bring able to listen to music while I'm playing. I'm glad I don't go there very often.

    Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
  • I think using an iPod should not be restricted. It's that they use an old rule about using "electronic devices" that came into affect well before iPods and mp3 players were invented.

    I don't think people should be texting at the table if they're in a hand, but they're taking the interpretation of the rule to far.

    Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
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