2018 MILLIONS North America News

Obviously we are not referring to the sitcom starring Amy Poehler, we are talking about green spaces, fresh air, and a little peace and tranquility.

In order to play your best at the MILLIONS North America, you will need to feel your best, and a little exposure to nature can go a long way in reducing your stress and boosting your happiness. So don’t forget to take in a little greenery on your way to the felt, it’s just what the Playground Doctor ordered.

First on your list should be Mount Royal Park, a hill with 3 peaks right in the city, which is an extinct volcano that was probably active 125 million years ago. It’s easy enough to find, just look for the Cross, the first of which was placed there in 1643 by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, the founder of the city. Weather and time permitting we recommend you visit on a Sunday and check out the Tam-Tams. From morning until sunset, drummers, percussionists, vendors, DJs, performance artists, and visitors meet up on the east slope of the mountain, near the George-Étienne Cartier Monument. And there is also a battle-royal for fantasy role players. And it’s FREE!

If Mount Royal Park is number 1 on our list then the Montreal Botanical Gardens are 1B. Located across the street from the Olympic Stadium, it features thematic gardens, greenhouses and until April 29th the 21st Edition of Butterflies Go Free where you are sure to be dazzled by the thousands of colourful, shimmering butterflies flitting about. And since you are in the neighborhood check out Maisonneuve Park which is right next door.

If you enjoy the extra tranquility water brings, then take a stroll or bike ride along the historic Lachine Canal. It is over 14 kilometres in length, starting from the Old Port of Montreal and ending in Lake Saint-Louis, through the borough of Lachine which is conveniently located on your way to or from Playground Poker Club.

These are just a few of the many beautiful green spaces you could visit while in town for the MILLIONS North America and we are convinced they will help put you in the right frame of mind to play your best.

There are over 55,000 museums in 202 countries, and Montreal has more than its fair share of beautiful and educational places for you to visit.

A museum is a great place to unwind and bring some inner peace to your poker-playing mind. Not to mention that a museum provides plenty of food for conversation, whether at dinner, over drinks, or at the poker table. So get inspired, surround yourself with greatness, and prepare to achieve it yourself at the MILLIONS North America.

If art is your thing, then the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts should be the number one stop on your list. It numbers over 41,000 works from Antiquity to today, making it unique in Canada. And it doesn’t hurt being just around the corner from the Loews Hotel Vogue where you can score preferential rates by using promotional code: Playground Poker.

We also highly recommend taking the time to visit the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal. Especially for the very Montreal-centric “Leonard Cohen – A Crack in Everything” exhibit, part of the official program for Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations.

For History buffs, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum will provide a singular experience, all the while providing a view of the city’s rich and distinct history.

If you’re looking for something a little different, then check out the Barbie Expo – A Magical Exhibition of Haute Couture. It is the largest permanent exhibit of Barbie dolls in the world and it’s FREE. They do accept donations, which go to the Make a Wish Foundation. So support a great cause while getting to see Barbie in Versace.

Looking for something bigger? Visit The Canadian Railway Museum (Exporail). Located just outside Montreal and only 20 minutes from Playground Poker Club, it features 160 vehicles plus 190,000 documents and artifacts. All aboard!

These are just a few of the many interesting museums, art galleries, and exhibits you could visit in and around Montreal. Get familiar with them, because at some point there will be a Canadian Poker Museum/Hall of Fame, and the winner of this year’s record-breaking MILLIONS Main Event will certainly be prominently displayed! So get ready to see and make history during the 2018 MILLIONS North America.

Thousands of poker players are preparing to descend on Playground Poker Club from April 21^st to May 2^nd. The reason is simple: the MILLIONS North America and a chance at winning a share of the $15,000,000 in Guaranteed Prize Pools; including the MILLIONS Main Event with $10,000,000 Guaranteed.

Now, we realize many of you will be visiting our city, our province and even our country for the very first time. So with that in mind, we will be, for the next 10 weeks counting down to the MILLIONS North America, share with you a Top 10 of must-see attractions and must-do activities in and around one of the oldest and most unique cities in North America; Montreal.

By the time we reach number 1 on our list, you’ll probably want to move here… or at the very least come back for the World Cup of Cards later this year.

#10 – The Shopping Experience

First of all let’s address the elephant in the room. You could shop anywhere, so what makes shopping in and around Montreal unique? For starters, players coming from south of the border or across the pond will benefit from a very favorable exchange rate that will give you more bang for your buck. This obviously applies to all your tournament buy-ins as well.

Second, whether you prefer European charm or North American convenience your shopping needs will be met in spades!

And last but not least; Montreal IS Canada’s fashion centre. Period.

So take a stroll down Ste-Catherine Street, with access to over 1,200 retailers. Feeling funky and looking for something more unique? Then take a stroll down Mont-Royal Avenue, Saint-Laurent Boulevard (we call it The Main), Rue Saint-Denis or the Mile End District for an incomparable and trendy shopping experience. Better yet – visit them all.

And as Montrealers, we realise the weather doesn’t always cooperate. But don’t worry, we have that covered. Literally. Explore RÉSO, our Underground City; which is the largest underground complex in the world with over 30 kilometers of tunnels connecting with 10 metro stations, 2 bus terminals, approximately 2,000 stores, 200 restaurants, 40 banks, 40 movie theatres and other entertainment venues, 7 major hotels, 4 universities, Place des Arts, a cathedral, the Bell Centre, and much, much more. Bring a map, you might need one.

And don’t worry, whether you decide to shop in or shop out, you will have plenty of food and drink options to choose from along the way, but we will cover that in detail in the weeks ahead.

For now, get ready to shop ‘till you drop once you’re done on the felts.