See http://theex.com/attractions-shows/casino.
Only Limit Hold'em. Rake is 5%, maximum $7.50 for 5/10 and $10 for 10/20. There are 24 tables, including possibly 15/30 and 25/50 this year! This would interest the American online refugees who don't mind playing LHE.

You can apply for a VIP Package with three hours of play, which includes:
- free entrance
- free parking.
Starting on August 19 when the CNE opens, admission is normally $16 and parking is up to $20.

Feel free to post questions about the CNE Casino.

Thanks for starting the thread. I'm going over on Day 1. If anyone wants to meet up beforehand that would be possible. (There won't yet be much open around there so I guess the best we can do for a venue is the execrable snack bar area in the blackjack/casino games area ...)

Or later in the week ...

If anyone does end up going on the first day let us know how it was. I'd really like to know what the rake is in that $25/$50 game if someone could find out and post here. Thanks!

Do you really have to pay $16 just to get into the casino? In the past I haven't had to pay anything but I purposely went after 10pm when parking was free - maybe the admission fee was cut too?

I'll probably go on the first day...

You only admission when the CNE is on, and that's for the CNE and not the casino.

Just Limit? NL not being offered?

There had been rumors of NL games but I think they're baseless. I've actually been pumping myself up to get excited for some 5/10.

is 5/10 the lowest stakes?

Anyone been there on opening day before? Any idea what time to get there in order to get seated immediately when it opens??

Cheers

I went on day 2 last year around 5 and didn't have much wait to get seated. Generally I didn't find long waits at any time last year (and I was over a lot, often arriving around 9 p.m.).

But someone did tell me, last year, that there was a long line waiting for it to open on day 1.

I plan to arrive around 4 on Monday, so maybe by then the initial excitement will have passed ...

It always has been. The word is that there will be higher limit holdem this year than in the past, but not anything lower. I'll post the limits actually being played after I go on Monday.

So what's everyone thinking about Monday? Is it going to be too crazy first day?

Also, Toronto people, do you use transit to get to CNE? What's the best?

I'm heading in around 4. I plan to take a subway to Union Station, where I'll catch the streetcar that takes me directly to the northwest gate of the grounds.

Note that you can't go back that way if you play late--but there will be cabs outside or nearby the casino pretty much all night.

Shoot, guess I'm going to have to actually win on my first night then

its a civic holiday monday so the toronto transit will most likely be on holiday schedule which means less frequent buses/streetcars... on top of that... the caribana festival which is going on this weekend will move to the toronto islands on monday which most likely means union station will be packed with people going to the ferries on the queens quay (which is the route to get to the casino) so I would expect the streetcars along that line to be busy monday

I would suggest taking the dufferin bus 29 south from dufferin station rather than bathurst 512 streetcars because the buses move quicker and traffic on bathurst could be quite ridiculous at times (plus those streetcars arent as frequent as dufferin buses to begin with)... the walk after the bus ride is about the same length

also the dufferin buses run 24 hrs but the subway closes at around 1:45am

hope this helps anyone taking transit there tomorrow

This all sounds very canny. Thanks.

Thanks for the transit info. I'm still on the fence about going tonight...think it might be too crazy. Tomorrow will probably be my first day, unless someone can talk the sick gambler in me into going...Russell?

I'm heading out in a few minutes, earlier than I'd planned but ready to get on a table; I should be there by around 2.30 or so. If you come, say hello to an older white guy with a grey beard and glasses.

I may be there tomorrow as well.

In any case I'll post about today when I get a chance.

I've just arrived. The lists are quite long. Estimated wait 1 hour or more. All tables are going 5-10 10-20 15-30 20-40 25-50.

Wow 1 hour or more in mid afternoon? Wow. I guess it is a holiday. Hopefully tomorrow at 6 will be better - that's when I arrive. Will look out for ya.

Thanks for this tip. That's definitely the fastest way in. (Now if I can get an open seat ....

so definitely no NL games there?

The 20-40 list has moved quickly and I'm next up. But overall the lists are longer than ever so I wouldn't rush over.

I'm so excited. That excitement will last until the moment I realize that none of my hands hold up in limit games

By the way, someone mentioned if you play for three hours you get free parking. I have a car here for a week, anybody know how that works?

The lists are now short 10-20 20-40 & 25-50. I'm at the latter and the action is good.

Russell I'm a low stakes grinder. I'll be waving to you from the 5-10 tables