Hey, Poker playas!
2022 is here but Poker tournaments are now at a standstill. We still don’t know where the next tournament will be.
The world will move forward and it will be back as the world continues to change. We can not keep hiding like rats in our own homes.
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As everything comes to a standstill. maybe it’s time to hear the voices of those that matter.
The players’ voices do matter, and we should look into the old guards as they have been in this industry longer than most of us have.
But what is an old Guard?
Vieille Garde
The term is a translation of Vieille Garde (French for “old guard”), the name given to Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, who were the elite veteran regiments of his army and intensely loyal to him. It was they who made the last French charge at Waterloo.
They are the elite, the people who have been in playing this game and were already known even back then as great players.
They are the “Kuyas” or elder brothers of some of the players we know today.
Some may have retired or are only playing from time to time. but in any room, they go to. they are still the most respected players in this industry.
Will we hear their voice in 2022? let name them one by one.
Marc Rivera
Even when poker in the Philippines was still in its infancy. there was already a name that was being whispered in the old streets of Malate.
That name was Marc Rivera, The best cash game poker player in the Philippines.
Tales of Marc winning and discipline were well known among the older generation. He even scored a good win against Patrick Antonius on an Omaha cash game 6-7 years ago.
A lot of the new guys only know him as the third player in the PSPC Bahamas where he won a US$2,168,000 cash prize. (yeah. 100 million-plus PHP).
He is still active as he was in the final table on the WSOP side event finishing in 4th place.
He remains active and is a big influence in the current local poker scene. As of last we spoke to him, he is trying to bridge the gap between poker rooms and players and helping the new generation make a name for themselves.
We would definitely hear more from him soon.
Terry Gonzaga
Before online poker became as big as it is now, one player was already quite active in the online scene.
And he has made an achievement that has yet to be matched. The only WCOOP bracelet holder.
Terry Gonzaga.
Terry Gonzaga was already actively playing the WSOP we believe more than 10 years ago. We hope to check with him soon when we get the chance.
He is still active in both the online and live scene and plays the big cash game in Manila or any other part of the Philippines.
Although lately, he has been less active due to the pandemic. but the guy is a legend and if you get a chance to watch him play. You might pick up a few pointers or two.
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Jay Lubas
Way before the big casinos’ steps into Manila. the place of poker action was either in Malate or Ortigas.
Ortigas had a big poker room which is still alive today. The Metro Card Club. While Malate had a bunch of small poker rooms.
The big “Kuya” or elder brother in Malate was none other than “Kuya Jay”.
Although he has since retired from an active poker lifestyle. We do still see him playing from time to time and is definitely well respected.
He is probably the first Filipino to be able to be featured in the featured table of the main event of the WSOP. this is due that he was the chip leader for the Main event back in 2012 for a number of days.
He has since passed the torch to his son Gerardo Lubas, but the guy is still a legend.
Jose “Boyet” Drilon
If there was any big cash game in Manila. Expect Boyet not only to know about it. He is already in it.
You really do not want to mess with him in and out of the felt. and yet underneath that tough persona, there is a kind and caring man that has been supportive of the young talents of the Philippines.
Mike Takayama, The only Homegrown Filipino to ever win a WSOP bracelet, in a recent interview, profess how both Boyet and Marc became instrumental to his WSOP win.
There are still a lot of the other old guards around. Which we would write in another article and then reboot the old article of the players to watch out for this 2022.
As there is yet no confirmation of when the next tournament will be, we are just now taking our time to write them one by one.
Because a new era is coming. Poker tournaments will return this 2022.
Although it took longer than we wanted. it is slowly changing and happening.
Stay safe poker playas!
