Hey, Poker Playas!
If you are a Filipino Poker and you have not heard the big news. then you must be living under a rock.
A few days ago, if you have Facebook, posts and stories were posted for one big news!
The First Mike Takayama Cup was announced and players and friends were sharing it on their pages and stories because of the call of PH “Mahal na Hari” or Philippines Beloved King.
A modest PHP 3 Million GTD with a buy-in of PHP 10,000 pesos.
With a guarantee of 1.5 Million to the Champion.
Will it be held in Manila? nope, it will be held in a poker room down south in Davao.
“Experts” are saying it was a bad decision. But is it? let us look an it deeper.
Who is Mike Takayama?
Mike Takayama
The first Home grown Filipino to win a wsop bracelet.
There was never a year Mike Takayama did not win a Major tournament ever since he step in the poker table
Most people would say he was born to play poker. He just had it in him and was destined to become a champion. and he proved that in 2018 in the biggest and most prestigious tournament in the world by being the first homegrown Filipino to win a WSOP bracelet.
But even going to that level was a struggle. (More on that later)
But amidst that struggle and the strife, he persevere making every Filipino poker proud to be a FILIPINO.
A true rags to riches story
Mike was not born rich, he even once used to live in billiard halls and earn a living by setting up the balls in a billiard room.
people used to even make fun of him when he was sleeping and hide his slippers and wait till Mike woke up and laugh at him and make fun of him.
He is one of those Filipinos who aspired to become great but had to go through the struggle.
He is One of us.
But as he discovered poker, he was born to play. After a while, he grew better and was winning. But he was never a man who would be stingy and was always helping others amidst their struggle.
As the year passed by he kept winning more. Later on, becoming the beloved king of Filipino poker players he became the most beloved poker player by the Filipino People.
The cycle of up and down
Mike Takayama was always a hot topic in the local poker scene. He was making a name for himself. But sadly, with the rise to fame. it also attracted fake people who wanted to use him for their own benefit. Even after his win at the WSOP. He was chained.
His move was limited. The people he hoped would help him grow were only there to use his fame.
And when the pandemic struck, it hit him like lightning. The people who used to hang out with him suddenly were closing their doors. He had to work himself up again. Slowly but surely he did.
But now he is unleashed. What was once holding back is gone.
He is now the newest Mil Poker Ambassador. and his very first move, The 1st Takayama cup
Why Davao? but then again why not?
Reality check!
The Philippines has lost the international market. This year PH will only have or have 3 major tournaments (guarantee above 15 Million). A lot of organizers claimed Filipinos have no money if their tournaments failed. Organizers have been shying away from the Philippines.
We are losing the war.
And the event will not be in Manila. It will be in Davao.
So what was Mike thinking?
The people who know Mike Takayama will tell you Mike Takayama does not need the money. But he was always a Filipino at heart. He loves the Philippines! He was always the person people can go to when they need help.
Lately, the tournaments in the Philippines are mostly 1 Million PHP guarantee, A champion could win 250,000 PHP. but it is not life-changing money.
Life-changing money is oftentimes high buy-in which many people can’t afford. Just being realistic. And with the competition going fiercer as more skilled players are coming out. It ain’t easy for low-level players to have a chance.
Mike’s first move, Was to make a tournament that could really help someone boost his career. There is a noble cause.
Mike Takayama is paving ways to help build the market. To help it grow again.
Already many people are frowning upon this and would like to stop this event to satisfy their own greed. “sila lang ang bida, pero paano ang indstriya?”
The success of this tournament is also the success of each Filipino poker player. It can change the industry to have better tournaments.
Takayama is leading the way for the Philippines to have better poker events. And Mil Poker fully supports this endeavor.
The question that remains is, “nakapag book ka na ba?”
