Hopefully the start of a true new begining. 

Metro Manila, along with 38 other areas throughout the country, will see coronavirus restrictions downgraded to the loosest level on Tuesday, March 1, nearly two years after the pandemic shuttered the Philippines.

• But what to expect on alert level 1?
  Mask stays on
• All workplaces and establishments may operate at 100% capacity.
• Full capacity on public transport
• Proof of vaccination is required for adults entering indoor settings and mass gathering.

The uncertain future

While a tour ends, another tour will happen soon.

The first big poker tour happened last year but it was a semi-live poker tour. Day 1’s were held online but day 2 was held live.

Then came a series of events from one organizer that tried to introduce a format.

Games were faster, a battle to x percent of the field to reach day 2, and shorter breaks. They had a chance to rule supreme, but did they blow it?

That is still up for debate as we await the next result of the next tournament. Do the new age of poker players really want a super-fast pace structure and battle to x percent? Are the host casinos really getting their value of hooking themselves with a well-known brand? 

The APT RWM mystery bounty weekend is set to happen on March 3-6, 2022. Will it have more attendance?

The APT RWM Weekend – why the turn out matters.

The Asian poker tour has been known to have great structure. When you ask most players which poker organizers have the best tournament structure format in Manila. The top 2 will be APT and Metro Card Club.

Are good structures really important? the biggest tournament in the world is still the WSOP, The minutes per level is 2 hours. 

Owning a WSOP bracelet is still the pinnacle of a poker player’s achievement. It is the true test of skills. Never a bingo-style structure. With the APT RWM weekend bounty up for grabs next, A rally could send a clear message. 

The better alternative

Already APT is doing something better. They lower the buy-in to let the small players be able to afford it. They even have satellites which probably will have a better stack and structure as well. But the new mystery bounty could be enjoyable as one player could be lucky enough to win something big but the best players can still be a champion.

The other thing they have done great is that it also helps promote the host casino. Offering special rates to poker players from the partnered hotels.

Players can get special rates at hotels like the new Hotel Okura, the high-class Marriot hotel, The Hilton, The Sheraton Hotel, The Belmont Hotel, and The Holiday Inn Express. 

The trophy for the side events might be better. not a trophy that is the size of a pack of cigarettes that looks like a hood ornament (and it even carried the host casino name).

The tournament this week at RWM could prove that poker players want real poker tournaments. 

But that is up to the players to decide.

The Metro Card Club is also moving forward!

Daily tournaments are now back in the Metro card club as well. Which is a great place for new beginers. Poker Veteran Jessie Leonarex once commented in an interview

Metro talaga, comfortable ka talaga. kadi dito ako nagstart. Una andito kc lahat ng blinds.kung wala k pera pwd k magsimula sa 10-20 habang nag sisimula ka. atsaka my tourney dito dti every 2pm nd 7pm marmi ka pag asa para kumita. Pangalawa yung yung pag cacare syo specially ngaun pandemic Pag naglaro ka alm mo safe kht umumuwi ka ng haws alam mo safe na puntahan mo na pokeran. Pag bumalik kasi normal babalik na tournament. kung wala kang pera. magtournament ka. may chance kang manalo.

An interview with Jessie Leonarez – Click here to read the full interview

Metro is set to relaunch its 750k GTD

The future is not set in stoned. in the end, it is the players that decide the future. What they prefer is still up to them.

But its great tournaments are finally back in Manila.

Stay safe poker playas!