To say that the future of poker in Manila depends on the re-opening of the Metrocard Club might still be an understatement. It might be the future of poker in the Philippines that could be at stake.
How could one poker house in Manila affect the future?
It might be the only surviving poker house that was part of the beginning.
When poker was still new, Metrocard club was one of those that opened first.
The first poker room was probably the Airport Casino Filipino. But that was still part of a casino or inside a casino.
The first poker house? Due to the lack of records, it might be one of the following. The poker house inside the Ambassador Hotel, the Players Den that was also in Malate, and the poker house in Ortigas we know now as Metrocard club.
Out of those three, only the Metrocard Club can survive as the other poker houses have closed years and years ago.
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The place for newbies
Even before the lockdown, Metrocard Club was the only poker house in Manila that had 10/20 PHP blinds. Poker houses in Manila were already pushing for 20/40 blinds.
The difference was not only the blinds but the buy-in itself.
Metrocard Club’s minimum buy-in for the 10-20 PHP blinds was at 200 PHP. Other poker rooms have insisted the minimum buy-in of the same blinds to be 500.
It might look very cheap to some countries, but the Philippines’ minimum wage is only 11,300 PHP per month. The low-buy in low blinds was the gateway for newbies. It was the right amount for people who wanted to try poker but not get hurt if they lost.
Many of the known Filipino Poker Pros actually started on this level.
Whether it was before or after the lockdown. To play in the lowest blind of a poker room or a poker house will have a long line. Some could take hours and hours before you get seated.
Not the Metro, as long as there are enough people. they would form the 10/20 blinds.
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The poker house that had a standard in everything.
Metrocard Club, compared to other poker rooms, had a standard. They might not be the best in any category, but they will not be the worst in any category.
Note: by standard, we are pertaining to not only the physical set-up but includes floor management, tournament schedule, quality of dealers, receptionist, security, and so on and so forth.
That was the true beauty of the Metrocard Club. It was the real middle ground.
The home of the Filipino poker pros
If you were to visit the Global Poker index, you might be surprised to see the number of Metrocard club pros are on the top 20.
To some people, it might not mean a lot. but being a pro for a company does have benefits.
Those benefits help poker players reach their potentials. Whatever they are getting, to a young poker player who is building a bankroll. Any advantage is always great. Especially in a profession that has no steady income stream.
Those benefits will help the person in achieving his dream.
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Will Metrocard Club re-open?
To answer that question, We have asked a very reliable source to give us some Answers.
Will Metrocard Club Re-open again?
Yep, we wanted to reopen, because we are receiving lots of queries every day not just from our regular players as per when is the reopening date. We just wanted to make sure the health security of all the players and comply with all the protocols mandated by the government.
Any date?
It depends on PAGCOR and IATAF. All of Metrocard club department is ready anytime.
We do hope the Metrocard Club opens soon. But until then please make sure you wear your face mask and stay safe.
See you soon Poker playas!
