Marc Rivera, a former civil engineer who has been playing poker for so many years. How could one man be a factor in shaping the poker industry in the Philippines in 2021?

Read on.

Official Poker Record

If one was to look and base only on the Global poker Index(GPI). Before 2018, his record may not stand out. Currently, he is rank number 22 in the GPI.

Although he has played in the WSOP both in 2017 and 2018, the wins were not as big compared to the other Filipino poker pros.

Compared to other poker players at that time, he rarely participated in big tournaments. That is why his record was not a standout.

But he was winning and making a name for himself in some of the biggest cash games in Manila. He was more known as a cash game specialist.

All that change in 2018.

The APPT was held at the City of Dreams Manila. Seats to the PSPC, a 25,000 buy-in tournament, will be given away.

Some of his friends have already won a seat. He decided to get one himself and he did.

He joined the Highroller event of the APPT and took it home. Winning ₱4,559,000 and the seat in the process.

Next, he turned that ticket to a third-place finish earning him $2,168,000 in the PSPC.

That win gave him an advantage putting him number 1 on Hendon mob’s all-time money list for the Philippines.

Money doesn’t maketh the man

He is a good poker player.

But his winning is not how you should define him or the reason he is valuable in shaping the Manila poker industry in the future.

One of the good things about him is the stories of his discipline from reliable sources.

There is a story that he stayed in 25-50 PHP blinds in a certain period until he achieved his personal goal of winning a certain amount regardless if there were many who wanted to stake him. He chose to stay on that blind until he achieved his goal.

Or his discipline of walking away from the table if he has to do something else, nothing must disturb him. When he sits at the table, he is there to play.

Even after finishing 3rd place at the PSPC, to this day, he remained humble. He even went and paid his gratitude to all the benefactors that supported him through the years.

Kuya(Elder brother)

The biggest reason he will play a major part in shaping poker in Manila is that he is the “Kuya.”

Even while the poker rooms were close, players who wish to join other sites that are part of the Metro Pros would go to him and asked his opinion. It was not because they had to, it was base on respect.

In a country where poker champions have a bad history, his record is unblemished.

He is one of the key leaders of poker in the Philippines. His voice means a lot to the Filipino poker community. 

If things were to move again, there needs to be a leader. and Marc Rivera is the guy. 

The voice of reason

People say that the old ones must pass the baton to the younger generation.

But without their guidance and wisdom of the older generation, the younger generation might succumb to the temptation of the fast life.

It was only a few months back as we heard rumors of Filipino champions getting involved in not so decent scenarios. We need good leaders to stand up and lead.

This 2021, we need people like Marc Rivera to lead.

And we hope he would. 

Hope to see you soon poker playas!