Hey, Poker Playas!
It’s now official—Metro Card Club has unveiled its schedule, setting up a direct clash with APT Manila 2024. While the Main Events will not overlap, the Pre-event and the much-anticipated Mystery Bounty, both offering guaranteed prize pools at Metro, will coincide with APT’s festivities.
This creates a real showdown in the Manila poker scene, as players will now have to choose between two exciting series. It’s bound to intensify the competition and offer even more action for poker enthusiasts!
With six active poker rooms in Manila—Metro Card Club, 2Ace Poker, Masters Poker, Red Dragon, the Pink Casino poker room, and Newport Resorts and Casino—and two more on the way, scheduling clashes are almost inevitable. The PAGCOR rule that restricts having more than one tournament with a guaranteed prize pool exceeding PHP 1 million at the same time seems increasingly impractical, as poker rooms often find loopholes, offering guarantees just under the limit (e.g., PHP 800,000) to bypass the restriction.
A few weeks ago, Manila saw four separate tournaments running simultaneously, which highlights how common these clashes have become. Poker rooms have bills to pay, staff to employ, and players to attract, so they can’t afford to halt operations just because a big tournament is happening elsewhere.
Moreover, competition doesn’t just come from within Manila or the Philippines. Nearby poker destinations in Asia—like Cambodia, Taiwan, and Vietnam—are actively trying to attract the same market. Their events, often with even bigger guarantees and international appeal, can further complicate scheduling, as Filipino players are drawn to these international circuits.
As the local and regional poker scene continues to grow, the clashing of tournaments is something both players and organizers will have to navigate.
RVS CUP 2024 – PRO FILIPINO
RVS CUP
The RVS Cup stands as the biggest annual poker tournament at the Metro Card Club, offering the largest guaranteed prize pool combined with an affordable buy-in. This tournament has been crafted with a unique purpose: to give everyday Filipino players, especially the “Masa” (the working class), a genuine opportunity to experience and compete in a high-quality, major poker event. The affordability and massive guarantees make it accessible to a broader range of participants, setting it apart from more exclusive, high-stakes tournaments.
RVS CUP 2024
For this year’s RVS Cup, several noteworthy changes have been introduced, enhancing the tournament’s accessibility and excitement. Most prominently, two Day 1A flights will be held outside of Manila, in Cebu and Davao, marking the first time the event expands beyond the Metro. This move aims to tap into the growing provincial poker communities, allowing players from different regions to participate without needing to travel to Manila for the initial rounds.
Additionally, there have been adjustments to the structure, including a lower buy-in, making the tournament even more accessible to a broader range of players. To ensure fairness, the qualifying percentage from each flight has also been reduced, giving more players a chance to make it through to the later stages.
These changes reflect the tournament’s commitment to inclusivity while maintaining the prestige and competitive spirit of the RVS Cup, as it continues to offer one of the best opportunities for Filipino poker players to compete on a grand stage.
As we wait for the official posters of the side event here is the full schedule
