An interview with Joe Mark “JoMaK” Vasay
Publish date: March 1, 2022

Hey, poker playas!

As it is the custom of poker rooms to just take the photo of the champion and then just move on. Are people not curious about how the player started?

Are we just number and are the goals the only thing important? is the journey not important as well?

From the outside looking in

We have seldom seen “Jomak” in big tournaments in recent years. and then the pandemic and lockdown happened. stoping all live tournaments for almost 2 years.

We have lost contact with a lot of the players and some have moved on to other ventures. It was a tough two years for a lot of people. but then when you have a heart of a champion, You stand up and fight.

Jomak entered day 2 via Day 1C of the Okada Manila – Manila super series main event. It had the most entries hence other players went put into focus.

But it was a big mistake. as slowly Jomak climb the ladder, with patience and determination he was able to stand above the rest.

Want to know more about Jomak? here is a quick interview!

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Coffee cups and Q’s

How did you start playing poker?

Nagsimula ako magpoker, niyaya ako ni Aban, sa Underground, pagkatapos namin magbiglyard. ayun niyayaya nya kami magpoker. nagtanong ako paano ba magpoker,parang gusto ko yan sabi nya mabilis lang yan parang pusoy, yun nagenganyo ako. ayun tinuturuan nya ako ng basic hands naano dapat ilabn ganito, ganyan. tapos ayun. tapos kasakasama ko nga si ano. tapos kasama ko si Jetjet, si jessie Leonarez, pagtapos namin maghanapbuhay sa bilyaran, ititira namin sa ug panalo namin.

Who do you look up to in the poker world?

Si tsoke (Mike Takayama) talaga, kasi si tsoke. na0amaze ako sa kanya. kasi nga galing sa bilyar tapos sabi nya sa akin nung panahon ng Pan Pacific nung nagsimuka ako magpoker nun. pero nagbibilyard pa rin ako. nung nakita nya ako, galing sya sa Highstakes (Poker room), dumayo sya sa Pan Pacific, nanalo sya sabi nya sa akin, binigyan nya ako balato. sabi nya mag aral ka magpoker. yun tinandaan ko yun. tapos nun ayun nga parang gusto ko maging katulad nya. parang gusto ko din gumaling. yun yung pumasok sa akin. pero yung idol ko talaga siguro sa una si, yung nga nung nanalo si tsoke namotivate ako. parang naano ako sa kanya kasi bilyarista din. para yun. isa yan sa idol ko sa paglalaro ng poker.

Who was the toughest opponent for you on day 2?

Si Bigtime (Chris Mateo), kasi si Bigtime, magkakilala na kami so. iniisip ko dahil magkakilala kami hindi nya agad ako basta basta bluluffin or gagawin ng play. Magaling kasi sya eh. tapos si Eman (Emmanuel “the Godzilla” Segismundo”), Medyo nakakaintimidate kalaro sa lamesa.  paano aggresive. alam nya gagawin nya. shempre ako baraha lang. yun lang pinaglalaban ko. siguro may konting diskarte. pero kailangan mo din ng swerte.

Who was the toughest opponent for you on the final table?

Kay kid rock (Noel Araniel) shempre kasi isa siya sa chip leader. tapos aggresibo. magaling sya. magaling din si Iori (Iori Yogo).

Did you ever feel you would be the champion?

Hindi, hindi ko na feel yun na magigign champion ako.naglaro lang ako shempre gusto kong, wala sa isip kong magchachampion ako. inisip ko lang gusto ko manalo ako. makapremyo ako. pero wala sa isip ko talaga na makukuha yung champion.

What would you advise to people who would want to start playing poker?

Sa una mahirap talaga. yung pinagdaanan namin ang hirap eh. 10/20 (PHP blinds) di nga kami nakakalro dati. Tyaga ka lang. mag aral ka. nanood din ako ng lesson sa youtube ng poker. maski na mahirap. iniitindi ko na lang sa paglalaro.  ako na mismo nag aaral sa sarili ko.

Would you like to thank anybody?

Shempre, unang una ang panginoon wala ng iba. yung lang at yung mga kaibigan at pamilya. 

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