Pushing forward

The battle against the pandemic is still not over, A threat of a new variant and vaccine trying to catch up. It is really a battle against time.

But still, we need to keep moving forward or lose more in the end.

While 2 poker rooms continue to innovate or go back to the basics. other poker rooms are struggling due to their own stubbornness. 

Here is a closer look.

Pokerstars Special tournament – moving with a conservative approach. 

Live poker tournaments are back in Manila, thanks to two poker rooms that have to continue to push things forward.

Pokerstars will hold a special tournament this week and if you are interested to check the schedule. Here is a link, click here. 

Some have commented that the buy-ins are too much. in reality, it would be more classified as conservative.

Pokerstars will be holding the first full Live poker tournament in Metro Manila. There are always die-hard tournament players out there.

Comparing it with pre-pandemic. the buy-ins might be expensive. but 10 years ago some would consider it normal.

The opening event may look pricey. but the guarantee might push the interest of some people and they would need less than 100 players to register in order to cover the guarantee. with no assurance of how many players will attend. The approach is definitely a safe bet.

While the main event is normal as it was that 10 years ago 1M PHP GTD events are usually on that range in terms of buy-in.

Being the first full live tournament might sound good. but is it enough to attract players? stay tuned!

Metro Card club – an innovative approach to tournaments.

Officially, Metro did hold the first tournament in 2021, However, it was a mixed tournament type where all-day 1’s were allocated online. 

Only the final day was held live. 

Although many have shunned it. it did reach 501 players. Making there 1 million tournaments a success.

Metro was innovative in its approach. Trying to maintain a safe number in order not to endanger the players. It was a success. will we see more of it soon? stay tuned!

Resort World Manila poker room – has Karma step in?

Quite recently, the bad beat jackpot of RW poker room was hit. It was huge as it went more than 10 million pesos. However, the sad part of it was they took advantage of the situation and made the games 50-100 PHP as the minimum.

Back then people had to wait in line and if you reached there late afternoon. You could actually watch a movie and have dinner but still be on the waiting list.

But when both the main and reserve got hit. the story has changed drastically. Nowadays there are only 2 tables running and they are now back to allowing 25-50. Actions have shifted to other poker rooms. 

With the uncertainty of the world right now and RW Manila relying on outside organizers to hold events. it might take a while before their bad beat jackpot becomes a good number assuming nobody hits it.

Will they do something to attract the players again? stay tuned!

The battle of Malate? it is just the same old story. 

Poker houses in Malate played a significant part for a lot of the old poker players today. Although people got excited with a new poker room opening. It turn out to be less exciting than expected. 

The truth was that more than10 years ago the poker rooms in Malate were the hottest. This was the time where the Casinos like RW were born. 

The big tournaments of Malate were even visited by foreigners. The poker rooms back then were fighting to become internationally recognized. Malate was home to some international events!

But now it is totally different. The poker houses there just want to have The managers there are not that keen on making an impact but are just trying to have players. 

In a time where they could be Mavericks and make an impact on the market. The managers there are salarymen who as long as they have a table they are happy. 

It is still the brand that brings players. Pokerstars, Metro, and even the Master benefit from such things. Master although they have not fully utilized it. 

But maybe things will change. We hope so.

The Return of GG poker – the one that could spell the difference. 

GG Poker in Macapagal which is close to the PAGCOR entertainment city was holding good tournaments. Before the force shut down the pandemic, there were rumors they will start holding international events.

Although it has remained close since the pandemic. Rumors have circulated that they will re-open soon. They were paying their dues since the lockdown has started and it is a good location. 

Will they be Mavericks? time will tell.