Published cash-game starting points
| Room | Lowest clearly published Hold'em | Other published options | Main reason to check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Canadian Toronto | $1/$3 NL | $2/$5, $5/$10, $10/$20 NL; PLO/Omaha | Broadest Toronto menu |
| Pickering | $1/$3 NL | $2/$5, $5/$10, $10/$20 NL; $25/$50 by request; Omaha | Cash plus tournaments |
| Mohawk | $1/$3 NL | $2/$3 and $3/$5 match-the-stack; $2/$5 NL | West GTA and clear buy-ins |
| Brantford | $4/$8 Limit | $10/$20, $20/$40 Limit; NL/higher-limit menu | Limit poker, regional option |
| Casino Niagara | $1/$3 NL starts | Other Hold'em/Omaha formats on demand | Niagara and tournaments |
Blind labels are a starting point. Your buy-in, stack depth, rake and whether the game is running decide what the session really costs.
What changes the decision
- Want Omaha? Check Toronto or Pickering first. Toronto lists $2/$2 and $5/$5 PLO plus $20/$40 Omaha ½ Kill; Pickering lists $20/$40 Omaha ½ Kill. See the Omaha guide.
- Want match-the-stack? Mohawk publishes $2/$3 (min $100) and $3/$5 (min $300).
- Want Limit Hold'em? Brantford publishes a clear Limit menu: $4/$8, $10/$20 and $20/$40.
- Want a tournament too? Pickering and Casino Niagara publish active tournament programs. Check the tournament calendar.
- Want bigger No-Limit? Toronto and Pickering both list $5/$10 and $10/$20, and Pickering lists $25/$50 by request.
Blind size is not your real cost
"$1/$3" tells you the blinds, not what you'll spend. A $1/$3 game can take a lot more money than the numbers suggest. Here's how to think about it.
The buy-in
Most players think in big blinds. At $1/$3, 100 big blinds is $300. At $2/$5, it's $500. Mohawk publishes its ranges: $100 to $300 at $1/$3, and $300 to $1,000 at $2/$5. At the other rooms, ask the desk for the minimum and maximum. The buy-in calculator works out the numbers for any blind size, and the cash game buy-ins guide explains how deep to sit.
The rake
Great Canadian Toronto and Pickering publish 10% to a maximum of $20. Brantford publishes 10% to $10 for Limit and 10% to $15 for No-Limit and higher-limit games. At low stakes, rake takes a big bite. A $40 pot pays $4, which is more than a big blind at $1/$3. Read the rake guide for the full picture.
The travel
Gas, parking and food count too. A $1/$3 session in Niagara costs more door to door than the same game across town.
Turn the stake into a session plan
The right stake is the one that fits your budget and is actually running. It's not the biggest game you could technically afford once.
| Question | Where to look |
|---|---|
| What does $1/$3 or $2/$5 mean? | Start with the matrix above, then read the Toronto cash games guide, $1/$3 poker and $2/$5 poker. |
| How much should I bring? | Use the buy-in calculator and check the room's current minimum and maximum buy-in. |
| What does the room take from the pot? | Read the rake guide and confirm the venue's current rules. |
| Is that game running tonight? | Check the live list or waitlist. A published stake doesn't guarantee a seated game. |
A common rule of thumb: don't sit with more than a small slice of your poker bankroll in any one game. If losing $300 would sting, $1/$3 with a $300 buy-in is already your ceiling. See bankroll and session limits.
Same-day rule: a listed stake means the room supports or advertises it. It doesn't mean that table is running when you arrive.
Common questions
What is the lowest poker stake in Toronto?
$1/$3 No-Limit Hold'em is the lowest clearly published Hold'em game at Great Canadian Toronto, Pickering and Mohawk. Casino Niagara's official FAQ says its blinds start at $1/$3.
Where can I play Omaha near Toronto?
Great Canadian Toronto lists $2/$2 and $5/$5 PLO plus $20/$40 Omaha ½ Kill. Pickering lists $20/$40 Omaha ½ Kill. Brantford and Casino Niagara also publish Omaha, with availability depending on demand.
Where can I play Limit Hold'em in Ontario?
Elements Casino Brantford publishes Limit Hold'em at $4/$8, $10/$20 and $20/$40.
How much do you need for $1/$3 poker?
100 big blinds is $300. Mohawk publishes a $100 to $300 range for $1/$3; confirm the range at other rooms with the poker desk.
By the TorontoPoker.org editorial team · Updated September 2026 · 19+ · Play responsibly