Hey, poker players.
It has been more than a year and Live tournaments have yet to come back to Manila.
Although poker rooms and houses are already operating, the return of Live tournaments is still just rumors that have yet to happen.
Will it return soon?
Adapting to change.
At the beginning of the lockdown. Most local poker players were hoping for the best.
To cope with the times, players were forced to change.
Some shifted to other forms of business.
There are those who resulted to other activities including gambling like online cockfighting or crypto mining. Axie has become a trend for a lot of poker players. One has to make ends meet.
But then there are those who pursued their dreams. Adapting to playing online and continue to do so. But then there are those who decided to pursue their passion and dreams even further.
They went to the home of their passion and pursued their dreams, America.
The United States of America.
There are lots of places in America where you can play poker. Vaccines are more available. Quarantine rules are more relax and poker is thriving. Even the WSOP, the world’s most prestigious poker tour, will once again be held in Las Vegas.
It was the right place to pursue their passion and dreams and 2 Filipinos are there to try and take it.
Mike Takayama
The first Filipino to ever win a WSOP bracelet. Mike Takayama left earlier this year to try to follow his dream.
As early as March, He won an official tournament at LA Poker Classic (LAPC) in the Commerce Casino finishing second place on Event 6. WInning more than 20,000 USD for his effort.
His latest recorded win was on June 28. Although what he won may not have been big. He was still was able to reach the final table.
Will he be able to win a second bracelet for this year’s WSOP?
Stay tuned.
Gerardo Lubas III
One of the young guns of poker that have slowly made his mark on the scene. Julius to his friends has also left Manila in order to pursue his dreams.
The son of Jay Lubas, a poker veteran, who made an impact on the WSOP, by being the First Filipino on the featured table of the main event of the WSOP. He was the chip leader for a number of days of the Main Event.
Growing up seeing his dad in action started. a fire in Julius to also follow the same footsteps of his dad.
His dad also became his mentor and the first person who would go to on facing difficult poker situations to hear his advice.
Before the Pandemic, Julius was able to get into the final table of the main event of the first Red dragon in Manila.
Finishing 5th on the main event.
He has now also left Manila to pursue his dreams.
Other Filipinos in the United states.
There are other Filipinos who have left the states in order to pursue their dreams. There are also Filipino-born but have migrated to the united states that have been slowly carving an impact.
With the WSOP back this year. We wish them luck in the pursuit of their passion and dreams.
Stay safe poker playas!
