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.
Malate was a quiet place. 2 poker houses sharing the small pool of players. focusing more on day to day rather than growing big. Poker was still new to Manila.
Poker was at its infant stage and going big was not in priority. most players were more curious and wanted to test it out rather than dreaming to become a world champion someday.
All of that was about to change when a new poker room was rumored to open. some owners dismissed it that it would not be allowed to open. There was supposed to be exclusivity in locations.
But the rumors kept growing and the news was heard they were about to open.
Master Poker Room
The location
In the heart of Malate, a new poker room was about to open. with big promises and a big venue. It was supposed to change the market.
Located near the Adriatico Circle. It would be A room where VIP’s would play. Such was the promise of the people who will be working there was saying. they were going around other poker rooms spreading the news.
Some of those agents would be at Players Den inviting players. it just in the circle near Cafe Adriatico. a famous cafe, Famous for its chocolate drink “Tsokolate Eh” which is thick Spanish hot chocolate, usually paired with a stick of deep-fried churros.
Café Adriatico pioneered the “café culture” in the Philippines and used to be a hangout of Manila society in the 1980s.
Another favorite is Lola Ising’s Adobo, an indulgent interpretation of the classic chicken and pork stew using pork belly.
Even to this day, politicians would have meetings in that cafe, hence seeing so many high expensive cars fit for a politician and their bodyguards is normal.
It was a great choice for a location. News was spread via mouth as Facebook and data was not yet popular during that time.
The Opening
The day of the opening finally came and players from around Manila were excited. Finally, the door was open to the public, and players were allowed to see and experience the new poker room.
A Thick wooden door was the main entrance of the room. Probably around 6 feet in height and 5 feet in width. A thick door that was newly repainted for this occasion.
Opening the door, a bar would be seen on the left. An old bar that was a part of the house when they rented it and decided to make full use of it. Looking strait was a stair to the higher floor. A piano was at the end of the bar which was just beside the stairs. Rumors has it that the poker room use to be an old Spanish restaurant which would make sense of the design.
There would many nights that some singers would perform that made the room feel comfortable.
On the left side, poker tables were set, there were 3-4 tables set and another table near the comfort room which was slightly hidden. Another VIP room was set up at the back.
Going up the stairs, Rooms for VIP could be seen which were supposed to be reserved for high games. There was a wide area on the second floor which had a lot of tables. Later on, this would become the tournament area that players will compete. The floor was carpeted, unlike the 1st floor.
They maintain the ambiance of the house by making only a few adjustments. It had that old nostalgic feeling of being in one of an old Asian house. It was a big house that had a home feel. Downstairs it had around 5 tables but upstairs it probably had more than 10 tables including the VIP.
The games were managed by a young lady who later on, manage other poker rooms and the poker room of a big casino. It was a long time ago and she has since migrated to the U.S. But it does prove she is very capable as a manager that is why Master hired her to manage this place.
There were a lot of lovely ladies during the opening.
It attracted also the “Mananabas”. It is a local term for head decapitators or in this situation professional grinders who are looking to win.
The game went great for the first day and it went long. A lot of new faces and a group that handles a forum for poker was also present. (it is something we could discuss more on a later chapter).
The Owners were Korean and one of them was quite active in playing. later on, it would be one of the causes for the poker room to change ownership and management.
The Games.
The opening was a great night. it attracted quite a crowd. with competition comes growth. The birth of The Master Poker Room would be followed up by other rooms. Big tournaments became regular and slowly the future was changing.
The lowest games were the PHP 10-20, which was the most popular. this was more than 10 years ago and it was a far simpler time. You would have been considered a VIP by playing the 25-50 blinds. A far cry from today’s world where 25-50 is the normal blind.
Resort world which was the first foreign casino to open was still years away from starting. it was a different world and we are just starting our story.
A schedule was released of the tournaments Masters would have daily.
Certain ranges and high guarantees. But some of the buy-ins were a little high for the market at that period. Would it work?
VIPS and pros from all over the world were supposed to become regulars.
The Master poker room may not have been the first as other rooms have operated. but it did push others to make their own.
In its opening day, they made a lot of promises. What happens next will be part of the next chapter.
Stay tuned for part 3
