Hey, Poker Playas!
Last week, a new champion was crowned in the first Major tournament of Masters Poker. The Bluff Masters, A 1 Million PHP GTD event that had one of the best tournament structures for the price.
The fun fact is that he is also the champion of the smaller event held before the major event.
Although it was not an official pre-event. But seats to The Bluff Masters.
So who is the champion? Of course, most of us know the name of the champion. But who is he? here we go.
Conrad Lumaban – the beginning
We wrote about Conrad Lumaban months ago. but back then he did not want to be known. We wrote him as D Ramsey and it would be best to just put the link as we want to focus on his story now.
to read more about him here. the link.
Must read
Conrad Lumaban – D Ramsay.
Lately
Yes, Conrad is now a long way from when he started back then. One of the few players who was able to turn poker into a source of income.
He is more of a regular cash game player than a tournament player. however, he dabbles from time to time and joins a few tournaments. He is a cash game grinder.
On one side it isn’t easy to live in tournaments. A series can easily wipe your bankroll.
But no matter how you look at it. it is the big tournament that can really give you that big win.
With live poker tournaments now back. It was only a matter of time before Conrad gets bitten with the tournament bug.
Masters Poker PHP 500k GTD
Like other players, Conrad Lumaban was one of the few who was eager to take it on. With no other conflict with schedules. he was one of the players that vied to win and get a seat to the first major tournament of the Masters poker.
Having years of experience on the poker table and with a tournament whose structure was built for real poker players. Conrad Lumaban was eager to take the challenge on.
You can read more about it here. Click here
He was hungry to win.
With a few friends. they went to Masters 500k GTD and fought the best they could.
And the power that be rewarded him for his effort giving him the win.
The Bluff Master 2022
The Bluff Masters is the first major tournament of Masters poker. They did not push for a big guarantee. but what they push for was a well-structured tournament that is close to the APT.
A real starting ground for those players who really want to improve their skills and practice so they can play the big leagues.
Conrad Lumaban won a seat from the 500k. but due to scheduling conflict. he could not play Day1A but opted to play day1B.
He entered late and slowly climb his way qualifying for day 2.
Coming back on day 2. He went as high as reaching almost 500k in chips only to be knocked down back to 100k having been outplayed in a hand.
It was a big drawback. being used to tournaments that were quick-paced. He also won another seat on a big tour where the management was adamant that they would invalidate the seat if he did not attend.
Thankfully he understood, Masters poker Bluff Masters is not a bingo-style tournament. the management was proud to Make sure what they offer was a well structured tournament. unlike one organizer where the average stack at the final table was 10 Big blinds.
Once the final 8 comes into play. Masters poker will roll back into a minimum of 30 BB.
No matter what happens. even if he is short-stacked. He has a fighting chance.
While other players were quick to shove hoping to run to the other poker room so they won’t forfeit their seat. Conrad stayed true to his game.
Yes. there were even players who chose that the seat to an 800k Turbo-style tournament had more value than a real well-structured tournament.
Slowly he maintained his chips. gaining an inch. not feeling pressured. then the final table. then the final 8.
And lo and behold. he was even on the same seat he won in the 500k. he took it as a sign and stayed true to his form. calmly waiting for the right time to make his move.
Slowly the numbers dwindled. Until there was only one. the champion Conrad Lumaban.
Whats next?
Oh, the story is not over! thankfully, the champion purse includes a seat to a 12 million guaranteed tournament. In contrast, others are selling shares and hoping to be somebody who would finance them. They could end up not being able. to play because they kept dreaming.
Meanwhile, Conrad Lumaban will go to play a big tournament armed with a free seat loaded with more experience. Ready to take on the odds.
We do not know what will happen next. but we too are one of the people who pray he can turn that pre-event seat into an actual big tournament seat and now it could become something even bigger!
Good luck Conrad Lumaban
