Hey, Poker Playas!
We wanted to write about the Metro Christmas special but so many things happen.
It is sad really how most “Media” and organizers focused only on the number and sometimes only the main event.
Some of the hands that were played. but rarely do we read about the story behind it.
The Metro Christmas special was a gift that Filipinos needed.
Metro Card Club – before the pandemic
The Metro Card Club is one of the oldest existing poker rooms in Manila. Definitely, it is more than 10 years old although we can’t remember how old it truly is.
It is the home of many of the great players of the Philippines. Before the pandemic, it was the only poker room that was running a poker game for 24 hours.
It was the king of the low blinds, the masses love the Metro Card Club.
It was also the only poker room that had a stable daily and quarterly tournament. It had a community on its own and had regular players that simply would only play at Metro.
Metro Card Club – After the pandemic
After the pandemic, the Metro did what most people normally do. it stuck to its traditional ways.
Metro was known for its Big guarantees (PHP 1 Million and up) and low buy-ins. PPT, MSE, and Metro Walk to a million were held yearly. The biggest tournament was the RVS Cup. but still the same format.
Yes, they had a partnership with KMJM that brought big guarantees and higher buy-ins. It was by KMJM, Metro provided the venue.
Metro was not the risk taker, It catered to its market and became stable in it. But It was losing on a larger market.
Times have changed. Big guarantees and low buy-ins were great before but there were a growing number of players who wanted something different. Especially the international ones.
For example, some players do not like the low buy-ins as it will have more donkeys.
The world has changed.
THe Metro Christmas Special – a move towards the future
The Metro Christmas Special was something different. it was the first tournament that was made by Metro with a higher buy-in, a Bigger stack, a right guarantee, and a longer format.
Although there were kinks in it. but we have to applaud Metro for finally making a move to attract the foreign market slowly towards Metro.
It is a chance for small local players to have a taste of a bigger tournament.
A few months ago, we have discussed with Pagcor the classification of tournaments. We believe that tournaments below 3-5 million guarantees are for locals, But our logic is based on if foreign poker players cost poker players to travel and play.
For example. if it is a 1 million PHP guarantee. the champion purse is normally 200,000+, adding his cost. he has to be a champion to break even.
There is a need for bigger guarantees and bigger buy-in to attract the foreign market. There is also a need for a taste of how big tournaments are really played for the local community.
Metro adding those types of tournaments (higher guarantees and high buy-ins) on top of their already establish quarterly tournament would make Metro a great room.
Hopefully, the Metro Christmas Special is the start of a new line for the Metro,
