Hey, Poker Playas!
Poker is growing in Asia especially in the Philippines as almost every week there is a minimum of a PHP 1 Million guaranteed tournament.
There is no denying that poker has grown in Asia. Vietnam, Taiwan, and Cambodia have been getting great numbers in their tournaments. But the Philippines is still the safest place to play in any poker event.
Sadly it is the organizers that are slowing its growth.
How poker rooms operate
Most Poker rooms in Manila still operate like a Mom and Pop stores. In essence, since there is a good number of poker players in PH and no 2 tournaments with 1 Million and above can happen at the same time. Making a tournament without doing much marketing and after success parade how good you are is a common thing.
It is easy to make a guarantee and just pray for people to come, and they do.
But if one was to look deeper, they do operate like a mom-and-pop store. “parang sari sari store lang sa kanto”
There is also the rise of so-called “experts” who would sell their wares claiming they can bring big numbers but failed to implement the basic stuff. They pushed for shortcuts and hope the big guarantee was enough to attract the players.
It failed miserably. The only reason it was able to avoid a big overlay and not fail was due to one person.
The man, who is called “Ang Mahal na hari” or “the beloved king”.
Mike Takayama – the Undisputed
Mike Takayama
Nuebe gaming Pro/Metro Team Pro
WSOP Bracelet Holder
Mike Takayama is considered the best poker player in PH. although some have challenged this. There is still one fact that remained that he is ph best Poker Influencer
Mike Takayama is like Dominic Toretto.
“He is like gravity, everything just gets pulled to him”
People are attracted to him like a moth to a flame. What he says matters and people listen.
Truth is that in the recently concluded tournament, make it two recently concluded tournaments. It was only due to the King’s blessings hence those two tournaments did not overlay.
In the recently concluded APPL. it was only due to it having the king’s blessings that it did not suffer a huge overlay. Mike Takayama’s direct and indirect interference saved it. He was able to influence more than 100 players to join the APPL.
The power that is left untapped
Mike’s true power is still left untapped. if one day he can get a true team to support him. He can become Asia’s biggest poker ambassador.
As we speak PH might finally have a super team that would bring more glory to PH. Cambodia is the target and you might have seen an ad or two of people selling their percent hoping to be part of the PH team going to Cambodia.
He is that big of an influencer, People just want to be a part of his team.
Will the PH Superteam push true?
Stay tuned!
