By Alex Drummond, Editor-in-Chief · April 12, 2026 · Fact-checked by Maya Chen
Pickering Casino Resort has posted four live poker tournament dates for the rest of April 2026. The schedule runs from a C$575 NLH on April 16 through a C$1,150 Deep Stack on April 30, giving GTA-area players a clear weekly rhythm at one of Ontario's most active live rooms.
The April Schedule
| Date | Event | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| April 16 | C$575 NLH | 12:30 pm |
| April 21 | C$200 Turbo | 12:30 pm |
| April 21 | C$200 Turbo | 8:30 pm |
| April 23 | C$750 NLH Deep Stack | 12:30 pm |
| April 30 | C$1,150 Deep Stack | 12:30 pm |
Thursdays anchor the bigger buy-ins: C$575 on April 16, C$750 on April 23, and the month's headline event, the C$1,150 Deep Stack, on April 30. Tuesday, April 21 runs two Turbo flights at C$200 each - noon and evening - giving players two shots at the same format without doubling the commitment. The structure suits players who want to take a shot at a major without blocking out their whole day for a single chance.
Where Pickering Fits in Ontario's Live Landscape
Pickering Casino Resort, operated by Great Canadian Entertainment, sits at 1580 Bayly St in Durham Region, about 40 minutes east of downtown Toronto via Highway 401. For most GTA players, it's the closest venue offering a structured weekly tournament calendar, which is a genuine gap in the local market.
The geography matters. Fallsview and Casino Niagara are roughly two hours from Toronto. Playground in Kahnawake, Quebec, is closer to five. Pickering doesn't require an overnight stay or a day-trip commitment, which makes it the default option for players who want regular live tournament reps without the travel overhead.
The room runs cash games alongside its tournament schedule, so players can combine both in a single visit. That flexibility, plus the weekly structure, is what keeps Pickering on the radar even during weeks when the buy-ins are modest.
The venue has also hosted serious events. Great Canadian Toronto generated the third-largest WSOP Circuit prize pool in history - C$3.7 million - in April 2025. The live infrastructure is there, and the April schedule reflects a room that treats poker as a consistent product rather than an occasional event.
The Broader Ontario Tournament Picture
April is one of the busier months on the Ontario poker calendar, and Pickering's schedule sits alongside several other active events. The GGPoker Bounty Hunters Series Ontario runs through April 27 online. Today (April 12) is the Final Stage of the Ontario MILLION$ C$100K GTD, and the Mystery Bounty Main Event with a C$250K GTD is set for April 27.
Looking ahead, Casino Niagara hosts its Spring Main Event from May 19 to 22, and WSOP Circuit Playground returns May 10 to 25. For players working through a live calendar, May is the logical next step after the Pickering Deep Stack on April 30. The full Ontario poker tournament schedule covers both months in detail.
Getting There
Pickering Casino Resort is at 1580 Bayly St, Pickering, ON L1W 3T7 - roughly 40 minutes east of downtown Toronto via Highway 401. Free parking is available on site. Cash games run daily, and tournament registration typically opens one to two hours before the posted start time. Current schedules are listed at greatcanadian.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tournaments are running at Pickering Casino in April 2026?
Five tournament flights across four dates: C$575 NLH (Apr 16), two C$200 Turbo flights (Apr 21 at 12:30 pm and 8:30 pm), C$750 NLH Deep Stack (Apr 23), and C$1,150 Deep Stack (Apr 30). All events start at 12:30 pm ET except the evening Turbo at 8:30 pm.
Where is Pickering Casino Resort?
1580 Bayly St, Pickering, Ontario, about 40 minutes east of downtown Toronto via Highway 401. Free parking is available on site.
Does Pickering Casino have a regular poker schedule?
Yes. The room runs weekly tournaments and daily cash games. Check greatcanadian.com for the latest schedule.