Playground Poker Club
Playground is a land based gaming and entertainment complex located in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke, just south of Montreal, Quebec. Established in 2010, it is known for its poker operations and has become one of the largest and most diverse gaming destinations in Canada. The venue features 44 permanent poker tables, with an auxiliary room of 26 tables for large events, and hosts prestigious international tournament series including the World Series of Poker Circuit, World Poker Tour, and partypoker LIVE. It was named Fans Choice: Poker Room of the Year at the 2024 Global Poker Awards.
Location and Access
Playground is situated approximately 15 minutes south of downtown Montreal within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke. The address is 1500 Unit C Route 138 in Kahnawake, Quebec, with postal code J0L 1B0. Travel from Montreal's Trudeau International Airport typically takes around 30 minutes by taxi or rideshare, with fares averaging about $50 CAD. The complex does not have an attached hotel. The nearest hotel is The Host Hotel, with many visitors opting for accommodations in nearby towns like Châteauguay or in Montreal itself. The venue operates under a gaming license issued by the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission, an internationally recognized regulatory authority.
Facility and Gaming Floor
The Playground complex is a multi level facility featuring over 1,000 electronic gaming devices across two floors. These include themed video slots and electronic table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Designated smoking rooms equipped with EGDs are available on each level, an amenity uncommon in many Canadian gaming venues. The first floor serves as the main entrance and houses slot machines and overflow poker tables for large tournaments. The heart of the poker operation is on the third floor, which contains the main poker room with 44 permanent tables. An auxiliary poker room with 26 additional tables is opened during large scale events to accommodate higher player volume. The second floor contains multiple full service restaurants. The venue's layout ensures efficient player flow, with cashier services available on the first floor and within the poker rooms.
- First Floor: Houses over 1,000 electronic gaming devices and overflow poker tables.
- Third Floor: Contains the main poker room with 44 tables and a VIP high stakes area.
- Second Floor: Features multiple full service restaurants including The Rail and Drunken Dragon.
- Smoking Rooms: Designated areas with EGDs available on both gaming floors.
- Entertainment Space: A live venue for DJ sets and musical acts, convertible to cabaret style seating for up to 80 guests.
Poker Offerings and Tournament Schedule
Playground is a premier poker destination in North America, hosting numerous high profile tournaments. It is a regular stop for the World Series of Poker Circuit, World Poker Tour, and partypoker LIVE. In 2017, it received the Event of the Year award at the American Poker Awards for hosting MILLIONS North America. The poker room features 44 permanent tables for cash games and tournaments, with the auxiliary room used for large events. The venue offers a Bad Beat Jackpot, with multiple payouts exceeding $1 million, including two separate jackpots over $2 million, among the highest recorded in a live poker room. The tournament schedule includes events throughout the year, such as the WPT Global Summer Million Series held in July 2025, attracting players globally for significant prize pools. The property runs frequent in house promotions, including gifting programs, weekly draws, and jackpot bonuses for poker and electronic gaming.
- WSOP Circuit Playground: A stop on the World Series of Poker Circuit tour.
- WPT Montreal: A festival on the World Poker Tour schedule.
- partypoker LIVE: Hosts tournaments from this international tour.
- Bad Beat Jackpot: Features multi million dollar payouts, including records over $2 million.
- MILLIONS North America: A major tournament series that won an American Poker Award in 2017.
Player Amenities and Services
Playground provides multiple dining options within the complex. Full service restaurants include The Rail, a comfort food restaurant known for generous portions and popular breakfast specials. Drunken Dragon offers Japanese cuisine like sushi and authentic noodle dishes, along with sake and cocktails. The etc. steakhouse focuses on premium cuts of meat and curated dining experiences. Players can order food and drinks directly to their table from a dedicated menu. The club offers free Wi Fi throughout the facility. An on site ATM allows cash withdrawals. Tournament players receive complimentary soft drinks, while cash game players get free food. The venue accommodates media activity for content creators after a simple online registration process. Security and administrative staff manage operations smoothly, including bag checks and player inquiries. The property also runs frequent promotions for electronic gaming devices, including weekly draws and jackpot bonuses.
- Free Wi Fi: High speed internet access available throughout the complex.
- On Site ATM: Allows cash withdrawals for a nominal fee.
- Table Service: Food and drinks can be ordered directly to the poker table.
- Complimentary Beverages: Soft drinks provided free to tournament players.
- Complimentary Meals: Food offered free to cash game players.
- Media Registration: Online form for content creators to film on site.
- Player Promotions: Includes gifting programs, weekly draws, and jackpot bonuses for EGDs.
Staff and Operational Excellence
The staff at Playground are noted for their professionalism and skill across all departments. Dealers manage game flow efficiently and are recognized for high skill levels. Floor staff oversee operations and assist players with requests, ensuring smooth tournament and cash game management. Waitstaff provide prompt table service for food and beverages, with call buttons available at tables. Security personnel conduct bag checks and manage venue access. Cashiers process financial transactions quickly at multiple locations. Administrative staff handle media registration and player inquiries. This coordinated effort supports the venue's ability to host major international tournaments and maintain a high volume gaming environment. The operational excellence is a key factor in Playground's reputation and its recognition at industry awards.
| Staff Role | Key Function |
|---|---|
| Dealers | Manage game flow and integrity at poker tables. |
| Floor Staff | Oversee tournament operations and player assistance. |
| Waitstaff | Provide food and beverage table service. |
| Security | Conduct bag checks and manage venue access control. |
| Cashiers | Process buy ins, cash outs, and financial transactions. |
| Administrative Staff | Handle media registration, promotions, and general inquiries. |
Recognition and Player Experience
Playground has earned significant recognition within the global poker community. It was named Fans Choice: Poker Room of the Year at the 2024 Global Poker Awards. Previously, in 2017, it received the Event of the Year award at the American Poker Awards for MILLIONS North America. The venue is consistently described as having a world class, Las Vegas style atmosphere, attracting both recreational and professional players. Its location near Montreal and the U.S. border, combined with extensive amenities like over 1,000 electronic gaming devices, multiple restaurants, and live entertainment, makes it a comprehensive gaming destination. The property's ability to host record breaking poker tournaments and offer diverse gaming options supports its status as one of Canada's leading entertainment complexes. Player experience is enhanced by professional staff, efficient operations, and a wide array of services, solidifying Playground's reputation on the international stage.
Questions about Playground Poker Club
Where is Playground Poker Club located?
Playground is located at 1500 Unit C Route 138 in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke, Quebec. It is situated just south of Montreal, approximately a 15 minute drive from downtown. The venue operates on sovereign Mohawk territory under a gaming license from the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission. This location provides easy access from the city while functioning under indigenous jurisdiction.
What poker tournaments are held at Playground?
Playground hosts several major international tournament series. It is a regular stop for the World Series of Poker Circuit, World Poker Tour, and partypoker LIVE. The venue has hosted record breaking events like MILLIONS North America, which won the Event of the Year award at the 2017 American Poker Awards. These tournaments feature various buy ins and formats, attracting large fields and significant prize pools throughout the year.
Does Playground Poker Club have a hotel?
Playground does not currently have its own attached hotel on site. The nearest hotel option is The Host Hotel. Many visitors choose to stay in accommodations in nearby areas like Châteauguay or in Montreal itself. The venue's proximity to Montreal makes commuting easy via taxi or rideshare services for the short trip.
What are the cash game and food options like?
The club typically runs cash games on its 44 permanent poker tables on the third floor, with an auxiliary room for large events. Tournament players receive complimentary soft drinks, while cash game players also get free food. The table service menu offers items like Buddha bowls and chicken shawarma wraps. Several full restaurants are on site, including The Rail, Drunken Dragon, and etc. steakhouse.
How do I get to Playground from Montreal airport?
The most common way to travel from Montreal's Trudeau International Airport is by taxi or rideshare service. The journey typically takes around 30 minutes, with fares averaging approximately $50 CAD. The venue is conveniently located just 15 minutes south of downtown Montreal in Kahnawake. For daily travel from local accommodations, trips are shorter and usually cost about $10 each way.
What award did Playground Poker Club recently win?
Playground was voted the 2024 Fans Choice for Best Poker Room at the Global Poker Awards. This award is determined by the poker playing public and highlights the venue's exceptional popularity. The club also won the Event of the Year award at the 2017 American Poker Awards for MILLIONS North America. These recognitions solidify Playground's status as a premier poker destination in Canada and globally.
Sources and further reading
- Is Playing Poker at Playground in Montreal Worth the Hype? (pokernews.com)
- Is Playing Poker at Playground in Montreal Worth the Hype? (pokernews.com)
Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-12.
