Writers note
The stories we are about to share is a collection of stories from different interviews. The rich history of the past can sometimes be forgotten as the memories of people slowly fades. Very few written records were even written and only bits and pieces of information are available for verification. We took it upon ourselves to collect some of the stories and write them but invite others who would share their stories to create collections of the past.
The Beginning.
,It was more than 10 years ago when poker suddenly boomed in Manila, maybe it was 2007 or earlier. Poker was available in a poker room in the ACF(Airport Casino Filipino). Located on the third floor of the casino. It had only a few tables but were spread far apart. 8 tables were spread and the receptionist tables that double as a cashier was in front of it.
A band could be heard playing downstairs as the design of the casino was like a mall where the middle was open. Sometimes on Saturday, there would be tournaments for people to join.
The games tend to start late but when it starts it was usually a friendly game. With drinks being served and the music being played normally by the band that PAGCOR has in its stable. It was usually the songs from the hair bands days that was being played.
Rumours have it that there was an underground poker room in Pasig being played by some of the riches and powerful guys. Generals, politicians, and rich Chinese.
Poker was just beginning and some of the rules were still being ironed out. But it was a group of individuals who pushed the for it that poker was born. Although many had claimed the title as the “Godfather of poker in the Philippines”. It was never a title that was never confirmed as many people have claimed it and the history of poker in the Philippines was never ever written.
It took a while until more new poker establishments began to appear. A year or two until a poker house was finally established.
There was one in Pasig, which was a two-story house that later on relocated nearby which became the biggest poker room in Manila.
Then there was The Players Den, a poker house located in Malate. It had a more modern appeal. Some players recall that there was a sign outside written as “PPT”. The building is still alive but was replace by a Japanese style KTV.
The Players Den probably has the most modern in design out of all the poker rooms.
There was a poker room old Hyatt hotel which is now the New Coast Hotel in Manila, a small poker room that has limited tables. Hyatt also has changed management and ownership. Last time we check the poker room is no longer there.
Poker was at its infant stage hence limited players were available. Daily tournaments were rare and unlike today where there is a big tournament almost every week. It was the APPT in 2007 that was the biggest news in poker for Manila. An international tour has finally arrived in the Philippines shore.
The Asian Poker Tour held an event a year after. It was held in the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.
The cash game started late but the rooms had their own people or characters that later became legends.
The Characters
Back then there were rich characters that have become legends. While some disappeared to obscurity. But those who were active back then probably still knows some of the people we will be describing.
Malate was home to a lot of characters.
A big guy who when he enters the room commands attention. The “Kapre” which is what he was called. A “Kapre” in the Filipino folklore was a mythical creature that could be characterized as a tree giant. It is described as being a tall (7 to 9 ft), big, black, terrifying, hairy, muscular creature. Although he is not as big as 7ft he was quite tall and well built. Accompanied by his beautiful wife and the 3 Marias which were regular in Ambassador.
Another tall guy was also playing in Malate. His story of discipline was actually quite remarkable. There was a story that floated around that even when he had a backer to put him on biggers games and was pushing him to play. But he told his family he would earn x amount first on the 25-50 PHP table before he would ever move to a higher game and gave himself a year. He accomplished that feat in less. The guys is a legend now as he won a very big tournament Last year.
A bald guy who dresses like an executive with a wide tongue whose tales are about not being given a chance to play but has played in some big games only to lose due to his ego.
“Mr. Hallelujah” an American who was grinding tables but was a gambling addict.
The Master, an old guy who is very strict and very direct that has argued with a lot of the poker rooms.
Nick, one of the best during that time who had multiple local trophies.
Dennis, a seaman whose knowledge of the game was ahead of his time but was a little off missing day 2 of one big tournament after playing all night in a cash game.
A husband and wife who was one of the earliest house players we have met but have since retired from poker.
Then there the “Don”, who had a stable of some of the greatest players during that time.
The head floor of the Players Den is a beautiful lady which would, later on, became the GM of the biggest poker room in Manila.
But it was all about to change when a new poker room was about to open. Rumors that it would be big and it would have so many tables and many VIPS were floating around. VIPS rooms were being set. Promising big tournaments and big cash games it was something being anticipated.
News of the opening day was announced and a new era of poker was born.
