Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Finally, legislators proceeded to legalize poker for its casinos here. (better late than never I guess)

There should be poker at the Montreal casino (and maybe the two others) in about two months according to the following link (in french). They're also talking about putting some machines for smaller stakes.

Cyberpresse

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

this is great news

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Was going to post this as well. Great news. Finally. Only province in Canada with casinos without poker.

From reading La Presse and watching RDI I am not clear how they will do this. Both stories talked about dealers and poker machines. Any ideas how they are going to work this?

I have heard from employees at the Gatineau Casino that they were looking at alternatives to hiring more unionized dealers since they cost too much and poker doesn't bring in huge revenue. At one point I heard machines only, butthe news clearly states dealers and machines. Anyone have any thoughts/info?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Pokertek tables for sure. Dealer tables for higher stakes maybe?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Pokertek tables haven't been a huge success, results are certainly mixed.

I have never played on one, but it seems many B&M players aren't too keen on them and given poker will be new to the Casino I'm not sure how many people will use them over a dealer run table, since the dealer can explain how to play.

Should be interesting. Can't wait.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

One issue that will be interesting to watch is how the casinos deal with the issue of French/English cards and language use at the table.

At present, the court cards that are used in Quebec casinos for pit games use the first letter of the French word for each figure. So ... squeezers will reveal not K/Q/J in the corner, but R (roi) / D (dame) and V (valet). Upon request, the casinos will furnish unilingual English-speaking players with a little cheat sheet (about the size of a blackjack basic strategy card) that has a "R = K ..." legend.

Unilingual anglophones will, at first, be at a distinct disadvantage vis-a-vis their Francophone counterparts ... in the early going, it would be easy to tell if an Anglo were holding one or more court cards by the way they needed to squint extra carefully to confirm their holding.

Also, given Quebec's strong promotion and defence of the French language, I cannot see that they would try to enforce a standard North American "English-only" policy at the table during hands (and nor should they, IMHO).

(Fellow Canadian 2+2ers will be aware that this policy is common in western Canada).

If the Quebec casinos have a French-only policy during hands, the tables will be awfully quiet, given the relatively large numbers of Anglohones from Ontario who play in the casinos (especially Gatineau), not to mention U.S. tourists. Matusow, Tony G, Hellmuth, et. al. might not be well-suited to such an environment, unless they are unheralded polyglots who can taunt in more than one tongue.

Alternatively, I suppose that the poker rooms could have some tables designated "English-only"; some "French-only" and some "English and French welcome."

Better start watching WPT re-runs of the Paris Aviation Club tourneys to review the terms for raise, all-in, etc.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

About time. I'm so looking forward to playing live poker, should be a change from online.

Now just need to get that roll up high enough to play live 5/10 NL [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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Unilingual anglophones will, at first, be at a distinct disadvantage vis-a-vis their Francophone counterparts ... in the early going, it would be easy to tell if an Anglo were holding one or more court cards by the way they needed to squint extra carefully to confirm their holding.


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Like the first three hands?

I am interested to see how they handle the language at the table issue. I think it will have to allow English and French. French will definitely be allowed, and I can't see them saying no-English.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

tabanack that good news ssss deee

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

this is bad news for me and my job

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

The concern over language doesn't seem legit. There's plenty of English spoken at the Aviation Club. Is Quebec more French than France?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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The concern over language doesn't seem legit. There's plenty of English spoken at the Aviation Club. Is Quebec more French than France?

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Language is a very 'touchy' subject in Quebec. For instance there's a law that all signs in Quebec have to have French and it has to be bigger than the English portion of the sign.

I'm just saying its highly unlikely they could forbid French at the table. It seems stupid to forbid English, so it seems like both languages is the only option. Is that how it works at the Aviation club?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

As French as France in parts, but wayyyyyy more paranoid about the awful English that surround the province. So the government goes out of the way to promote the use of French first, even requiring French signs to be bigger than English ones. And since the Casinos are government run, they strongly respect/enforce government edicts.

It will be interesting to see how it works out since one Casino is right on the border with Ontario and has a huge English-speaking clientele. While many of us speak both languages, quite a few don't.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

For me, it's more of an interesting curiosity than a worry ... I'd be quite pleased to sit at a fully bilingual table (it might help to improve my execrable French, although I imagine that bad beat stories sound much the same in any language).

I think the point is that there are a number of casinos in the country (especially in western Canada - I don't know what the policies are at the Ontario casinos such as Windsor and Rama) that explicitly and consciously prohibit (and, if necessary, penalize) the use of any language other than English by players during play of hands by means of prominent "English only during hands" signage and dealer/floor enforcement.

As a practical matter, it has always seemed evident to me that this precautionary anti-collusion policy is targeted at the use of such languages as Vietnamese and Chinese ... the community demographics of large western Canadian cities such as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver are such that one is much more likely to be seated at a table with speakers of these languages than with a player whose mother tongue is French.

Nonetheless, given that the country is officially bilingual, this has always struck me as rather problematic, so it would almost seem that "turnabout is fair play" if only French were allowed to be spoken by players during hands in Quebec poker rooms.

Nonetheless, given Montreal's cosmopolitan and genuinely bilingual character, my hope is that the room would ultimately adopt a fairly laissez faire approach where the use of either official language by players is welcomed during hands. However, there wouldn't be any tolerance for unilingual players complaining that they couldn't understand what others were saying and asking for a "one language only during play" ruling.

Anyone know if there any poker rooms in Switzerland or Belgium? These offically multilingual countries might have already resolved the issue. From the TV coverage of Monte Carlo Millions and other Eurotournaments, it seems that English is the lingua franca of play, but I can't tell from TV whether the use of other languages during play of hands is actually prohibited and penalized.

I've read (but have not seen for myself) that the rule in U.K. casinos is that there is no talking at all by players during hands. "Shut up and deal" (apologies to J. May) might be the safest policy, after all.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

By the way, it looks like the draft regulations on this issue were published in the official Quebec Gazette dated July 4, 2007 ...

http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/home.php#

... unfortunately, one has to pay to order the publication on-line, so stingy Quebecois 2+2ers might find it easiest to look at a copy at a public library, unless they already have access to the publications through work.

No news release on the Loto-Quebec website, yet.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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tabanack that good news ssss deee

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Okay mccheese - you officially owe me for one keyboard - I will collect from you next time you are at Plaza...


(keyboard ruined by spitting Pepsi all over it after reading your post)

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

I don't think bilingual tables will be an issue. My experience at the Aviation Club was completely normal - all the dealers spoke English and translated politely anytime I asked. When the action came to me they automatically addressed me in English. I'm sure the staff in Casino Montreal can do the same.

By the way, this is awesome news! Casino Montreal was the first place I ever gambled (18) and won HUGE my very first night. It's also only an hour and a half from my girlfriend's country house in Vermont! WOO HOO!

I hope global warming can heat up Montreal a bit and I can move up there...:-)

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

When does this take effect, and when are casinos planning on opening poker rooms?

I'm going to be in Ottawa in a couple of weeks, and I'm just wondering if the Hull casino will have Poker (I'm doubting it though?)

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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I don't think bilingual tables will be an issue. My experience at the Aviation Club was completely normal - all the dealers spoke English and translated politely anytime I asked. When the action came to me they automatically addressed me in English. I'm sure the staff in Casino Montreal can do the same.

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I wouldn't count on this - Quebec is much more Anti-Anglo than France, and I am sure the best we can hope for is an "English or French only" policy...

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I don't think bilingual tables will be an issue. My experience at the Aviation Club was completely normal - all the dealers spoke English and translated politely anytime I asked. When the action came to me they automatically addressed me in English. I'm sure the staff in Casino Montreal can do the same.

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I wouldn't count on this - Quebec is much more Anti-Anglo than France, and I am sure the best we can hope for is an "English or French only" policy...

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Absolutely. French will be allowed, the question is if English will be as well (which I think is likely). English-only is <1% likely to happen.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

yeah, french is a big deal there.
But when I've been to restaurants or anywhere else in Montreal or Quebec if the waiter spoke English or had an english menu for me they had no problem bringing it to me.
So why not at the poker-table?

Especially on the border you're going to have a lot of players who only speak english. Allowing both languages at the table shouldn't be the end of the world like some seem to suggest.

French should be encouraged, but if I look at the dealer and need to be reminded how to say all-in then they'll just tell me (or somebody else at the table will if the dealer's english ain't so hot) and we'll just move forward from there.

I understand there are certain issues that are unique to Quebec regarding their insistence on preserving their french heritage. But I think some of you guys are making this way more complicated than it is actually going to be.
This isn't going to be a big deal at all.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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yeah, french is a big deal there.
But when I've been to restaurants or anywhere else in Montreal or Quebec if the waiter spoke English or had an english menu for me they had no problem bringing it to me.
So why not at the poker-table?

Especially on the border you're going to have a lot of players who only speak english. Allowing both languages at the table shouldn't be the end of the world like some seem to suggest.

French should be encouraged, but if I look at the dealer and need to be reminded how to say all-in then they'll just tell me (or somebody else at the table will if the dealer's english ain't so hot) and we'll just move forward from there.

I understand there are certain issues that are unique to Quebec regarding their insistence on preserving their french heritage. But I think some of you guys are making this way more complicated than it is actually going to be.
This isn't going to be a big deal at all.

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I agree that both is the likely outcome, and it probably won't be a big deal. But at the same time, we've seen some pretty wacky stuff when it comes to language in Quebec.

My confidence in common-sense winning the day isn't all that high.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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At present, the court cards that are used in Quebec casinos for pit games use the first letter of the French word for each figure. So ... squeezers will reveal not K/Q/J in the corner, but R (roi) / D (dame) and V (valet).

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For others who have been to Paris and played at Aviation or one of the other clubs, can you confirm that the cards there are "normal" English court cards? I am pretty sure they are, but can't be 100% certain from my memory of my last trip there in April.

If they use "normal" cards for Poker in France, I would expect it might be the same in Quebec.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

They use "normal" cards in Paris, but in Montreal they use French cards (R=KING, D=QUEEN, V=JACK). BTW, a really cool thing they do in Montreal is give out free used playing cards - after they punch a small hole through them. They are really top-quality and the R, D, V thing is cool - really it's not hard to adjust.

And yeah, people are making too big a deal of the language issue. I guarantee ever poker room employee will be bilingual and both English and French will be spoken at the table. The fact that most of us will not understand what a few people are saying amongst themselves is only a minor annoyance, not really a big deal at all...

Anyone have more concrete info on when the poker room is opening @ Casino Montreal?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

They were talking about being ready in two months, as soon as the law allows it, so somewhere in september is my guess.

Also, the Quebec government treats its casinos as touristic attractions, they actually very much want americans and canadians $ there so english won't be a problem and will be even welcomed. Tables will probably be french/english allowed.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Great now my equalation payment goes to supporting Quebecers to drink, smoke and play poker while they complain about being part of Canada

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Ship it.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

[ QUOTE ]
They use "normal" cards in Paris, but in Montreal they use French cards (R=KING, D=QUEEN, V=JACK). BTW, a really cool thing they do in Montreal is give out free used playing cards - after they punch a small hole through them. They are really top-quality and the R, D, V thing is cool - really it's not hard to adjust.


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Actually, they cost a few dollars, which is how much used decks cost at other casinos. They're also regular paper Bee brand decks that you can basically find anywhere else.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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tabanack that good news ssss deee

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LOL! Great post.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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Anyone know if there any poker rooms in Switzerland or Belgium? These offically multilingual countries might have already resolved the issue.

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At the Casino Amsterdam, players at the table may speak English, Dutch, or German. So, there's precedent for restricting conversation to a set of languages. So long as the dealer speaks all the allowed languages (and the Quebec casinos, with large Francophone and Anglophone clienteles, would want bilingual dealers) the dealer should be able to monitor the conversation for collusion.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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Great now my equalation payment goes to supporting Quebecers to drink, smoke and play poker while they complain about being part of Canada

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Yeah, because casinos don't generate revenue at all...

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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[ QUOTE ]
They use "normal" cards in Paris, but in Montreal they use French cards (R=KING, D=QUEEN, V=JACK). BTW, a really cool thing they do in Montreal is give out free used playing cards - after they punch a small hole through them. They are really top-quality and the R, D, V thing is cool - really it's not hard to adjust.


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Actually, they cost a few dollars, which is how much used decks cost at other casinos. They're also regular paper Bee brand decks that you can basically find anywhere else.

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Uhhh - No.

They're plastic like KEM or Copags but they're bridge size...

As for the price I can't say as I never bought them...

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Can't wait for the doors to open to the poker tables in Ottawa. I really hope they fill their tables with dealers instead of an electronic table. Btw, why didn't the rideau carleton raceway ever adopt poker tables since they are on the Ontario side?

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

The only casino I see having any sort of language issue is the Charlevoix casion near Quebec City. Not too much English around there and not as close to the American and Ontario borders as the ones in Montreal and Gatineau (pretty much a suburb of Ottawa, ON).

In all my visits to the Gatineau casino, they speak French by default, but they accommodate the Anglos very well.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

yup, totally agree with you Flopz about Gatineau. English is incorporated very well in that casino and I forsee no poker language problem there. I would go as far as to say that if ever Quebec separates from Canada, Ottawa will annex Gatineau because it is so inter-connected to Ontario. :P

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

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Can't wait for the doors to open to the poker tables in Ottawa. I really hope they fill their tables with dealers instead of an electronic table. Btw, why didn't the rideau carleton raceway ever adopt poker tables since they are on the Ontario side?

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Table games aren't allowed at racetracks in Ontario.

This is great news. I was just complaining to my wife a couple of days ago that there weren't any poker rooms close to Ottawa, except for the Mohawk casino across the border from Cornwall (and that room apparently has been moved to the bingo hall).

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Ummm, there are lots of places to play live poker in Ottawa, they just aren't run by the government...

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

The clubs are running again? I just hope the wannabe baller punks who ran some of the joints decide to keep it on the down-low by not setting up websites, mailing lists and messageboard posts to advertise like they did the first time around.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

yah, things have tightened up a fair bit, references are required and things aren't as overt as they were.

Re: Poker finally legalized in Quebec
 

Bump...

I was talking with one of the pit bosses at Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau yesterday. He said they're planning to have 6-8 tables in their room, half electronic and half live dealers. They're looking to have it open sometime in September or October, although he said the electronic tables could be ready by the end of July.