Canadian Players Flood into Upstate New York for Major Poker Series at Turning Stone and del Lago

Canadian Players Flock to Upstate New York for Major Poker Series

Recently, two casinos in upstate New York—Turning Stone Resort Casino and del Lago Resort & Casino—have launched a series of poker events that are drawing a significant number of Canadian players to cross the border. According to reports, both casinos are just a few hours' drive from the Canadian border and offer dense tournament schedules with substantial prize pools, making them a popular weekend getaway destination for Canadian poker enthusiasts.

Tournament Overview

Turning Stone and del Lago are both known for hosting medium-to-large poker series. The events typically feature mainstream games such as Texas Hold'em (No-Limit Hold'em), Omaha (Pot-Limit Omaha), with buy-ins ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Each series lasts several weeks, with multiple tournaments running daily. Final days often come with guaranteed prize pools.

• Turning Stone Resort Casino: Located in Verona, it has multiple poker rooms that can accommodate hundreds of players. Its annual poker series regularly attracts players from Ontario and Quebec who drive to the venue.
• del Lago Resort & Casino: Situated in Tyre, near Lake Ontario, it offers modern poker facilities. In recent years, it has increased event frequency and added lower buy-in options, drawing more recreational players.

Advantages for Canadian Players

Canadian players, especially those from Ontario, can drive to these two casinos in 4-6 hours without needing to fly, avoiding the hassle of international flights. Additionally, New York State law allows casinos to operate poker rooms, whereas some Canadian provinces have limited poker room options, making cross-border play a practical choice.

One Canadian player, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "From Toronto to Turning Stone is just over three hours by car. Playing a tournament over the weekend and heading back is way more convenient than going to Las Vegas." However, players are reminded to carry valid identification and comply with cross-border cash declaration rules.

Appeal and Community Response

These series not only offer competitive excitement but also foster community interaction. Players often engage in cash games or tournament satellites between events, and some series include training sessions for beginners. Local poker communities welcome Canadian players, noting that they enhance the level of competition and diversity.

Notably, as winter approaches, weather in the northern regions may affect travel. The casinos advise players to book accommodations in advance and monitor road conditions.

Overall, the poker series at Turning Stone and del Lago have become a unique feature along the U.S.-Canada border, and it is expected that more Canadian players will join in the future.