Poker has deep roots in the Philippines. Poker probably has been in the country for more than 20 years.
Even today, some Asia rooms have been in one way or another was connected with the Filipinos. Either it was a Filipino dealer or player that influence the room.
Looking back, it was more than 10 years ago that there was the first boom of poker in Manila.
Social media was still at its infant stage back then. A lot of the records are missing in detail.
But at one point in time. there were 7 rooms in the small area of Malate competing for a young and growing market.
Here is the story behind those rooms from various interviews.
U series of Poker
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Universal Grand
PH partner – Grand Union PH
Email info@useriespoker.com
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Room 18
Poker was slowly booming back then. with 7 rooms competing for a limited market.
How close were they?
If you have ever been to Okada Manila. the would the size approximation of the area. Imagine 6 rooms competing in such an area.
Then there was the small poker room at the Heritage hotel.
Asia poker in Pan Pacific and Room 18 also pop up.
The first version of the poker house located in the corner of a small street in Malate was called Room 18.
It had a high-class interior design and modern tables. It became the home of high stake badugi games the same chips passing around like it was candy.
There were a lot of rumors way it closes down. From the room giving too much credit or infighting between owners. Such things were left unanswered and versions of the stories could be twisted. In the end, it was sold to another owner.
Malate Poker
Malate poker probably was the best run of the room. bringing hold-em back and Slowly it grew to have a stable player base.
A man named Jaimar Quevedo was hired to run the place. We would be looking for him to find out more about what he is doing now.
It had regular High stake games and it was the place to go to in Malate.
There were days the games were running 24 hours for 3 days straight. Nobody wanted to leave the action.
Although it was a small room with limited tables. They hired some of the prettiest dealers to serve their clients.
In his short stint as the manager of the room. It took only a few weeks before the room was earning from the rake.
It was still a small market and 25/-50 was considered the high stake game back then. but Jaimar Quevedo was able to pull it off that the room was earning.
What was probably unique with the room was the installment of a billiard table on the first floor and having the games on the second floor.
Billiard players slowly shifted to poker during that time as billiard was slowing down. but merging the two together. there was a high-class game with huge bets happening in that small room in Malate.
But then the story had to change as the room attracted new investors. Although it was such a small period of time. It was enough to attract A Chinese businessman to buy the place.
U series of Poker
Organize by Upoker biggest union
Universal Grand
PH partner – Grand Union PH
Email info@useriespoker.com
WhatsApp
(+60) 17-763 3050
(+60) 11-2718 6062
MJ poker
After the new owners took over. slowly the games suddenly change. From the high stake games, it became the home of small stake tournament where some of the poker pros we know today was seen starting out on that small little room.
Sadly, it did not last long enough until it once again closed its doors.
Rumors began circulating what was the real cause of the closure. The juiciest one was the rumor of one of the owners having an affair with one of the dealers and was caught.
We may never find out the real story but it is now part of the history of poker in Manila.
A Japanese KTV
The doors of the room were kept closed for a long time. Only to re-open as a KTV.
From high-class games, it became a room where girls in gowns entertain customers while they sing on stage.
It was once again closed during the pandemic but there are signs it will re-opened soon. but once again as a JTV.
Although poker may never return on the small little room. It is part of the history of the great first battle of Manila bay to become the best poker room in the Philippines.
Stay safe poker playas!
