Davao Poker Blog

Cza Yujuico is the Araw ng Dabaw Champion

2011-04-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Cza Yujuico aka The Queen, Araw ng Dabaw Poker Face Champion

On March 2011, Czaria Yujuico aka "The Queen" pawned the asses of the big boys to take home the Championship of the Araw ng Dabaw Poker Face Tournament. 82 players played during the three day tournament get a spot on MCCD Wall of Fame but it was The Queen who proved best of them all.

With a P3,000 buy-in and a P300 registration fee, each player went into battle with a 20,000 chip stack to play with. A P500,000 pot was on the line and nobody took it lightly.

Final Day Chip Leader Jib Garcia

96 players showed up on Day 1A to get a chance of joining the final day. 85 players tried their luck on Day 1B. At the end of the two qualifying days, young poker player Jibrail “Jib” Garcia, 27 years old, emerged as the chip leader with a stack of 222,000. Other chip leaders were:

John O. - 183,400
billiards player Yang Yang Valle - 148,1000
Ed Fortuna
Zandro C.
Mike "The Duke" Gempesaw
Noel P.
Fe O.
Jovan G.
Nate Lorenzana.

Jan Ortiz and Ely Yap in the Final 20

On Day 2, action was intense and fast. After hours of play, 20 players remained seated in the final two tables. The players who got booted out at 11th to the 20th place got seats to the Poker Face Championship for April 2011. They were:

Jesper Piatos,
Michael Datumanong,
Rey Ramos,
Kirby Te,
Mike Tiu,
Jovan Guerra,
Ely Yap,
Zandro Carmona,
Jan Ortiz, and
Carlo Macavinta.

The final 10 players in the Final Table were composed of a mix of local poker stars and players from out of town. First one out of the Final Table, at 10th place and taking home P12,500 was Bong Dublan. At 9th place with P15,000 cash prize was Clark Dairo.

6th Placer Fe Otaza

Final Day chip leader Jib Garcia went home at 8th place and took home P17,500. At 7th place with P20,000 was Ian Geronimo. Female player Fe Otaza took home P22,500 at 6th Place.

A staple in tournaments, Kenneth Tan placed 5th and took home P25,000. Billiards player Yang Yan Valle was booted out of the Final Table at 4th place and bagged a P37,500 prize. Third Place and P50,000 cash went to Richard Tolentino.

The final heads up was between two seasoned players, whose names are well-known in the Davao poker scene. It was a showdown between former Poker Face Champions and local poker stars, Bong Tan and Czarina “Cza”Yujuico. But in the end, it was Cza, fondly called “The Queen,” who emerged victorious. Bong Tan went home at second place with a P100,000 prize money.

Cza Goes All In

The champion, respected entrepreneur and poker star, Cza Yujuico, earned another spot in the wall of fame, along with the Championship and the elusive P200,000 prize money.

For more information about poker in Davao, visit http://www.davaopoker.com.

Article also published on SunStar Davao on March 30, 2011. Link here.

Eagle Cup Day 3 Updates

2010-08-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

It's August 22, the BIGGEST day in Davao poker history yet. Day 3 of the First Eagle Cup and there are 9 players left with the chance of grabbing the P630,000 Champion's Prize.

Here's the cast of the First Eagle Cup Final Table and their chip stacks:

Koko Gotil (CDO) - 762,000
Joe Magnotti (USA / Davao) - 632,000
Mon Santos (Davao) - 581,000
Henry Acain (Visayas / USA) - 541,000
Martin Cepeda (Manila) - 506,000
Tony Jarman (UK / Manila) 440,000
Amphie Colendres (Davao / Cebu) - 334,000
Vic Catalan (Manila) - 242,000
Bryan Lim (Davao) - 211,000

6 pm Bryan Lim out in 9th Place.

Amphie Colendres out in 8th Place.

Martin Cepeda out in 7th Place.

Mon Santos out in 6th Place.

Joe Magnotti out in 5th Place.

Henry Acain out in 4th Place.

Koko Gotil out in 3rd Place.

1 am Final Heads Up
Tony Jarman has an overwhelming high stack with about 3,200,000 while Vic Catalan only has 300,000+.

Vic Catalan is 2nd Place

TONY JARMAN is the First Eagle Cup Champion.

Eagle Cup Day 2 Updates

2010-08-20T22:23:00.001-07:00

It's Day 2 of the First Eagle Cup! We have 68 players left with a chance of grabbing a piece of the 2 million pot.

Here are our chip leaders at the start of the day:

Tony Jarman – 216,800
Henry Acain – 184,700
Kenneth Tan – 168,700
Martin Cepeda – 155,500
Jib Garcia – 148,100
Winnie Odog – 136,100
Vic Catalan – 119,700
Henry Haw – 116,300
Mia Amor Oano – 115,000
Medel Torres – 99,200

Good luck players! :-)

3:22 pm Only 54 players left.
Among those eliminated is PilipinasPoker.com's Aron Angeles. Angeles went all in with pocket 7s against Kenneth Tan's pocket Queens. The Queens won.

5 pm Bong Reyes has been busted out by Sunshine Samson. Mike G is also out. 38 players left. 21 players in the money. 17 more to be eliminated. We're at Round 15, blinds are at 2,000/4,000 with ante 400.

6 pm Round 16, 2,500/5,000 blinds, ante is 500. 33 players left.

7:00 pm Dinner break. 28 players left. 7 more to get busted out before players start cashing in. Chip leaders before the break:

Henry Acain - 348,500
Koko Gotil - 278,800
Emman Segismundo - 263,500
Mia Amor Oano - 260,800
Winnie Odog - 251,600
Martin Cepeda - 244,200
Ali Lee - 175,500
Apie Yao – 143,400

8:30 pm Only 25 players left

9:30 pm Bubble time. 22 players left:

Christian Lim
Amphie Colandres
Joe Magnotti
Kenneth Mark Tan
Winnie Odog - chip leader at 400,000+
Ali Lee
Apie Yao
Mon Santos
Bryan Lim
Sunshine Samson
Koko Gotil
Roy Arellano
Martin Cepeda
Vic Catalan
Nick Galan
Albert Crave
Tony Jarman
Mia Amor Oano
Marvin Camacho
Henry Acain
Shin Suguira
JR Vasquez - shortest stack

Pay-out Structure:

Champion: PhP 630,000
2nd Place: PhP 420,000
3rd Place: PhP 245,000
4th Place: PhP 170,000
5th Place: PhP 135,000
6th Place: PhP 100,000
7th Place: PhP 75,000
8th Place: PhP 55,000
9th Place: PhP 45,000
10th Place: PhP 25,000
11th - 21st Place: PhP 20,000

10:15 pm JR Vasquez bursts the bubble at 22nd Place.

10:25 pm Christian Lim is out at 21st Place. Marvin Camacho is out at 20th Place.

11:02 pm Nick Galan is out at 19th Place. Busted out by Albert "The Emotional" Crave.

Final Updates:
10th Place and Bubble for Final Table Kenneth Tan (busted out by Joe Magnotti)

ITM:

10th Place: Kenneth Tan
11th Place: Wennie Odog
12th Place: Albert Crave
13th Place: Roy Arellano
14th Place: Apie Yao
15th Place: Sunshine Samson
16th Place: Ali Lee
17th Place: Mia Amor Oano
18th Place: Shin Suguira
19th Place: Nick Galan
20th Place: Christian Lim
21st Place: Marvin Ursal

FINAL TABLE Players:

Koko Gotil – 762,000
Joe Magnotti – 632,000
Mon Santos – 581,000
Henry Acain – 541,000
Martin Cepeda- 506,000
Tony Jarman – 440,000
Amphie Colendres – 334,000
Vic Catalan – 242,000
Bryan Lim – 211,000

Photos courtesy of Maggie Lim and Mark Gempesaw:

Eagle Cup Day 1B Updates

2010-08-19T23:18:00.000-07:00

It's Day 1B of the Metro Card Club Davao's 1st Eagle Cup. With P10,000 buy in plus P1,000 registration fee, it's a freeze out tournament. Starting stack is at 20,000 with blinds going up every 45 minutes.

Scheduled to play today are mostly players from out of town. Among the highly anticipated players are Metro Card Club's Neil "Dirty Ice Cream" Arce and Jojo Tech who won the May 1 1M Tournament at the MCCD last year. Adding to the excitement is 1991 WSOP Champion Brad Daugherty who is currently based in Negros Oriental.

Local veteran player JVA is also in the tournament. 7 lady players are in, only Lala Mejaro is from Davao.

110 players total for Day 1B.

The action starts in a few minutes.

2:30 pm Former champion Lala "Lady" Mejaro is the first out of the game for Day 1B. Richard Sharpe who place 9th in the WSOP is already out.

3:13 pm Jojo Tech is out with a lower straight which went against a nuts straight.

4 pm Players are now on a break.

5 pm Kent del Rosario is out.

5:30 pm JVA is out. Karloz Alba is out.
Neil Arce loses a three way pot while holding pocket Aces. He is against pocket 9s and pocket dueces. Pocket 9s gets a set on the flop, dueces gets a set on the turn. Arce, whose stack covers both players' stacks, pushes all in at the turn. Arce loses chips. Pocket 9s win.

6 pm Neil Arce manages to stay alive when his AQ went against a QQ. Arce gets a straight on the river.

7 pm Players are on a break. 77 players remaining.

Chip leaders before the dinner break:

Tony Jarman - 68,825
Franklyn Llamado - 66, 525
Marvin Uursal - 65, 575
Michael Dalidig - 64,150
Chino dela Serna - 63,625
Martin Cepeda - 60,850
Bambi Imano - 58,125
Ilwon Kim - 53,500
Francis Ku - 50,250
Arnold Kwon - 46,525
Dodo Soco - 44,975
Koko Gotil - 42,475
Mac Mantos - 41,900
Macao Macalinao - 39,775
Benhur Ybarsabal - 35,050
Albert "The Emotional" Crave - 29,800

Sunshine Samson seems to be the only female contender left in Day 1B.

8:28 pm Neil Arce is out. Went all in with KQ. Opponent held AA.

12 am Day 1B is finished. Only 38 players survived the action.

Tony Jarman – 216,800
Kenneth Tan – 168,700
Martin Cepeda – 155,500
Mia Amor Oano – 115,000
Amparo Marie Colendres – 97,100
Bambi Imano – 86,300
Koko Gotil – 79,000
Sunshine Samson – 76,500
Ali Lee – 70,900
Christine Lim – 70,400
JR Vasquez – 64,500
Mon Santos – 61,100
Shin Suguira – 59,100
Chino dela Serna – 58,100
Marthin Corpus – 52,100
Jason Porter – 50,500
Mark Pagsuyuin – 50,200
Marvin Ursal – 49,700
Albert Crave – 43,800
Trisa Cabacho – 43,200
Joseph Galang – 42,000
Bryan Lim - 41,800
Michael Dalidig – 40,000
Lester Edoc – 39,400
Jam Alonto – 38,900
Herbert Canaya – 36,700
Mohamad Tumog – 34,900
Arnold Kwon – 34,200
Rinah Garcia – 33,200
Francis Ku – 30,500
Nina Castro – 29,400
Sonny Ugalde – 28,500
Aron Angeles – 27,700
Franklin Llamado - 27,000
Digno Camacho – 21,700
Jimmy Abesamis – 17,400
Edwin Marzan – 16,600
Manuel Regis – 11,600

Photos courtesy of Bong Gallego and Maggie Lim:

Eagle Cup Day 1A Updates

2010-08-18T23:47:00.000-07:00

It's Day 1A of the Metro Card Club Davao's 1st Eagle Cup. With P10,000 buy in plus P1,000 registration fee, it's a freeze out tournament. Starting stack is at 20,000 with blinds going up every 45 minutes.

99 players are playing for Day 1A. Some notable players joining the fray for Day 1A are Ramil Tandoc, Nick Galan, Vic Catalan, Mike Takayama, Emman Segismundo, and Juvy Aldave.

From among the locals, there's past champions Kirby Te, Czarina Lim, Mike Gempesaw, Bong Lu, Henry Acain, Kenneth Anzano, and Rebel Madagasang. Young Davao poker guns Andrei Martin, Nate Lorenzana, Bong Reyes, and Jib Garcia are also on the tournament tables. Prominent CDO player Raphael "Paeng" Escano and Tagum player Tyron Uy are also playing. Billiards player Gandy "Yang Yang" Valle is also joining the fun.

Day 1A will end at the end of level 12 or until 25 players are left, whichever comes first.

2:45 pm We're now on round 2 and already more than five players are out!

In the first round alone, eight players already went all in. First ones out were Johann de Guzman and Cyrus Lademora who were both busted out by Mike Takayama.

3:32 pm Kirby Te is OUT! Pocket Kings busted by Drew Alipio's 4 2, which got two pairs on the turn.

5:50 pm 69 players remaining at Round 6. Mike Takayama is also busted out by Mike Gempesaw.

6:20 pm Some players already out are Ramil Tandoc, Yang yang Valle, and Czarina Lim.

7:23 pm Players are currently on a dinner break. 65 players left. Chip leaders before the break:

Joe Magnotti - 72,000
Kim Angoy - 71,825
Madel Torres - 62,650
Vic Catalan - 60,450
Mike "the Duze of Hazzard" Gempesaw - 58,150
Apie Yao - 56,600
Andrei Martin - 55,425
Emman Segismundo - 54,700
Kenneth Anzano - 50,900
Henry "Da Mang" Nucum - 45,575

Considering the starting stack is 20,000, the top 10 are not yet overwhelming chip leaders. At Round 7, the blinds are only at 300/600.

Day 1A Summary:

Day 1A of the First Eagle Cup proved to be a success, with 100 registered players and accumulating a total pot of 1 Million Pesos. It is the biggest tournament yet in this side of the country. It attracted players from all over. Some notable players from outside Davao are Nick Galan, Mike Takayama, Vic Catalan, Ramil Tandoc, Emman Segismundo, Juvy Aldave, and Rafael Escaño, among others.

An early piece of action came from Mike Takayama who busted out two players nearly tripling up his stack just a few minutes into the first round. Although, Davaoenos proved to be a force to be reckoned with as Mike Takayama was busted out by Davao’s own Mike Gempesaw with his KJ suited against Mike T’s K4.

Early favorites such as young gun Andrei Martin and former champion Kenneth Anzano (among the top 10 chip leaders before dinner break) were busted out before Day 1A winded down. A few ceded players from out of town were some of the early bust-outs making Day 1A such an exciting start of the tournament.

30 players from Day 1A remain to battle it out on Day 2 against Day 1B qualifiers who will be determined today.

The Day 1A survivors and their chip stacks are:Day 1A of the First Eagle Cup proved to be a success, with 100 registered players and accumulating a total pot of 1 Million Pesos. It is the biggest tournament yet in this side of the country. It attracted players from all over. Some notable players from outside Davao are Nick Galan, Mike Takayama, Vic Catalan, Ramil Tandoc, Emman Segismundo, Juvy Aldave, and Rafael Escaño, among others.

An early piece of action came from Mike Takayama who busted out two players nearly tripling up his stack just a few minutes into the first round. Although, Davaoenos proved to be a force to be reckoned with as Mike Takayama was busted out by Davao’s own Mike Gempesaw with his KJ suited against Mike T’s K4.

Early favorites such as Andrei Martin, Kenneth Anzano, Henry Nucum (among the top 10 chip leaders before dinner break) were busted out before Day 1A winded down. A few ceded players from out of town were some of the early bust-outs making Day 1A such an exciting start of the tournament.

30 players from Day 1A remain to battle it out on Day 2 against Day 1B qualifiers who will be determined today.

The Day 1A survivors and their chip stacks are:

Henry Acain – 184,700
Jib Garcia – 148,100
Winnie Odog – 136,100
Vic Catalan – 119,700
Henry Haw – 116,300
Medel Torres – 99,200
Daniel Christian – 89,000
Mike Gempesaw – 87,800
Giovannie Degayo – 86,600
Manolo Rivera – 84,800
Erwin Lozada – 78,800
Dennis Soriano – 74,300
Kimboy Angoy – 74,200
Roy Arellano – 55,800
Bong Reyes – 54,100
Apie Yao – 47,000
Emman Segismundo – 43,200
BB Panila – 43,200
Jaime Camina – 42,000
Nick Galan – 40,800
Henry Nucum – 38,700
Randy Tama – 34,900
Joe Magnotti – 34,700
Joel Ayop – 33,700
John Uyking – 31,600
Bong Escovilla – 29,600
Ronald Bordyos – 29,400
Oliver Bagarinao – 24,200
Ed Fortuna – 23,000
Rain Banzon – 14,500

Some photos:

Photos and reports by Maggie Lim.

Davao Poker TV Commercial featuring the Eagle Cup

2010-07-31T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the first Davao Poker TV Commercial featuring the Eagle Cup:

Davao Poker TV will be covering the First Eagle Cup, which will be held from August 19 - 22, 2010 at the Metro Card Club Davao.

Buy in is P10,000 plus P1,000 registration. It's a freezeout tournament.

See you there! :)

Davao Poker Player: Ferdinand "Bong" Lu aka The Specialist

2010-07-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Bong Lu The Specialist

Upon entering the Metro Card Club Davao, one of the people you are sure to notice is the chatty Bong Lu. Whether it be during cash games or tournaments, Ferdinand "Bong" Lu, is ready to talk quite a storm with just about anybody who's willing to listen.

It's no wonder, this poker player slash businessman is known as "The Specialist." Oftentimes quoting from his non-existent poker book, Bong Lu will give you reasons, tips, and strategies for most of the moves he made or didn't make. And even those of other people.

People might think he is simply a know-it-all, but his wins tell you, Bong Lu knows his poker! Having been in the Poker Face Tournament Final Table a handful of times, he won his first Poker Face Championship in October 2009 during the MCCD Poker Face Anniversary Special.

With Team Burat Teammates Mike Gempesaw and R Lee

During the July 2010 Poker Face Tournament, Bong Lu went heads up once again with Alex Chua whom he defeated in October 2009. This time, however, the poker gods weren't with Bong. Nonetheless, Bong was the runner-up. Another admirable feat under his belt.

While he may come off as arrogant, there is a thinking poker player behind his "words of poker wisdom." Let his game play and titles show you.

Watch more of Bong Lu aka The Specialist in action on Davao Poker TV, on the Southspot Channel very soon!

Davao Poker TVC

2010-07-27T03:51:00.000-07:00

Davao Poker TV will be launched sometime September (*crosses fingers*) but we will be releasing our television commercial tomorrow. The Metro Card Club Davao has already started playing the first version of the tv but the final cut will be ready by tomorrow.

I'm excited!

Davao Poker TV is the first Philippine television show dedicated to poker. And we're not just about tournaments and events. We'll also give you insider news, updates, tips, and maybe even some tricks. ;-)

The Davao Poker TV will be shows on the Southspot Channel available via SkyCable in Davao City and General Santos City. Produced by Choco and Bong Gallego, with Alchemy's Kenth Bajo as Director, and yours truly, Ria Jose as Head Writer. Bong Gallego will be commentating with two female hosts as correspondents.

I will be uploading the video as soon as possible on our Davao Poker YouTube Channel. Please subscribe. We're also putting up an online site for our show, soon. Meantime, please stay tuned to this blog for updates and news regarding Davao Poker TV and more news and updates about Davao poker news, updates, personalities, and trivia. :)

Stay tuned.

Davao Poker Player: Kirby Te

2010-07-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

Kirby Te

You don't know enough about the Davao poker scene is you don't know Kirby "Kbte" Te. Kirby, single handedly put Davao on the poker map by being winning big in the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) legs. In March 2009, he was the only Filipino in the final table of the First Chairman's Cup with a $1M pot held in Metro Manila.

Kirby first entered the radars of poker aficionados when he won as runner-up in a Filipino Poker Tour some years ago.

With a bounty on his head during the March 2010 Poker Face Tournament

Locally, Kirby was the first Metro Card Club Davao Poker Face Champion which he won in October 2008. Since then, he won the MCCD Heads Up Championship in November 2008, the Red Dragon Poker Club PokerMaster Championship in November 2009, and the MCCD Poker Face Championship just last June 2009.

With multiple titles and millions of pesos richer because of his poker mettle, a lot of local players are intimidated by Kirby. Hence, when they encounter him in the tournament tables, they find his lighthearted chat, laughter, and constant hecklings with friends quite amusing.

All in after getting short-stacked

Kirby is a sharp poker player who moves and acts according to his odds, his read of his opponent, and sometimes his gut feel. And these have served him well. Apparently.

A player may become a champion out of luck, but Kirby is proof that with the proper skills and discipline, one can consistently win and become a poker champion.

Ladies of Davao Poker: Czarina Lim

2010-07-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Czarina Lim

There's only one pioneering female in the Davao poker scene: entrepreneur Czarina "Cza" Lim. Don't let her smiling friendly demeanor fool you, she plays poker aggressively. While she always play good-naturedly, peppers games with laughter and banter, she takes poker seriously.

This keen entrepreneur is a calculating risk-taker. She's unfazed by the chance of losing and gambles on seemingly weak cards from time to time, but everytime she plays, you know she's going to play each hand cunningly.

Czarina Lim

It is no wonder that she is the first female to have captured both titles of Poker Face Warm-Up Champion in May 2009 and Poker Face Champion in October 2009. Cza was also able to capture a championship prize at the Red Dragon Poker Club in Tagum City. A consistently excellent player, Cza has also joined tournaments in Cebu and Metro Manila.

Dubbed as "The Queen," Czarina Lim is definitely one lady in the Davao poker scene to watch out for.

Eric Raises to 50k, Rose Goes All In, What Will James Do?

2010-07-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

Another archive video from the Metro ONE Tournament held on May 1, 2009 at the Metro Card Club Davao.

During the Final 20

After a raised flop shows number cards, off suit, Eric Cheung of Cebu bets 50k, Rose Newman of Davao is already all in, what will James Young of Davao do?

For more poker action and news, watch out for our Davao Poker TV. On your screens and online very soon. ;-)

Catch our second coverage during the 1st Eagle Cup from August 19 - 22, 2010 at the Metro Card Club Davao.

Wennie of CDO Goes All In

2010-07-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

During the first major tournament of Metro Card Club Davao, the One Tournament, a player raises pre-flop. Wennie Odog of Cagayan de Oro City goes all in. BuddhaGeorge, a player from Manila is next to act...

LOL!

This August 19 - 22, 2010, players from all over the country will converge at the Metro Card Club Davao once again for the First Eagle Cup. Who will get their winning moments recorded on cam via Davao Poker TV?

Watch out for it.

Poker Face Tournament for July 2010

2010-07-12T02:51:00.000-07:00

The Southspot Crew together with Executive Producer Choco and Director Kenth Bajo labored for hours to cover the highlight of Davao's poker scene, Metro Card Club Davao's Poker Face Tournament. It was the first Davao Tournament with TV coverage.

Technical Rehearsal

And everybody was visibly excited. Players dressed up and prepared their game faces. 70 players dared to dream. 10 won prizes. Only 9 got the chance to exhibit skill and patience as they played for 5 hours in the final table.

In the end, it was a grudge match between Bong "The Specialist" Lu and Alex Chua. The two had previously battled for last year's Poker Face Anniversary Match on October 2009. Bong won in October 2009. But July 2010 belongs to Alex Chua.

Complete list of winners are:

Champion: ALEX CHUA
Runner-up: BONG "THE SPECIALIST" LU
3rd Place: ROY CLEMEÑA
4th Place: JUSTIN TABLIZO
5th Place: JUN JAVIER
6th Place: IAN BUSERA
7th Place: JAY GARCIA
8th Place: LALA MEJARO
9th Place: JOHANN DE GUZMAN

Many thanks to the players, the management of MCCD, the Southspot Crew, the correspondents/hosts Carol Smith, Soy Labis, and Marc Wales!

Ria, Carol, Lala, and Soy

Acknowledgement to my sponsors SOUL Lifestyle for my clothes, Envy Me Salon for my hair, and Hairs and Nails Salon for the hair and make up of Carol and Soy!

Photos courtesy of Soy Labis.

Metro Card Club Davao Eagle Cup

2010-07-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

The 1st Eagle Cup with a 2 million pesos guranteed pot will be held from August 19 - 22, 2010 at the Metro Card Club Davao.

The buy-in is at P10,000 and the registration fee is P1,000. It's a freeze out tournament.

It's gonna be an epic. See you at the tables! :)

Poker Face of June Live

2010-06-13T01:17:00.001-07:00

4:15 pm Start of R3, 100/200. 70 players. 30 min blinds. 3 former champs already out.

5:17 pm Break. R5 200/400, 25.
50+ players left.
Chip leader: Adjong de Guzman.
150k pot guaranteed.
T1: Kirby, Aris, Mitch A
T2: Jay, Lala
T3: Nate, Franz, Jubrill, Baldo, Rebel, Rodel
T4: Ria, Andrei, Albert C, Henry, Bong T, Karloz
T5: Adjong, Johann, JvA, Yoyong, Ritchie
T6: Boy A, Jam, Reggie B, Albert A, Erwin, Jib, Ed

7:30 pm R8 500/1k, 100
30+ players

UNO Magazine's Poker Tournament

2010-05-14T22:09:00.000-07:00

Another reason why I hate being a blogger / poker player in Davao? I don't get to go and join cool events by UNO Magazine like their poker tournament on Friday, May 21, 2010. GRRR! /wrist

For only five hundred pesos, you get to play poker and UNO's May 2010 Issue. *Imagine me with a bitter look on my face.*

In case you didn't quite get it, here are the details...
When: May 21, Friday 8:00 PM
Where: Manila Bay Club, San Miguel by the Bay MOA
Joining Fee: PHP 500.00 inclusive of UNO Magazine’s May issue

RSVP: Muriel Evaristo (0915-740-0049 / 842-6524)

Poker enthusiasts in Manila... JOIN! JOIN! JOIN! And do tell me about it. ;-)

Ohhh SH*T!

2010-05-14T03:23:00.001-07:00

Damn! I forgot I play poker too. NAH!

Just been very busy with this and that being this and that. With work, events, and getting sick every now and then, I haven't had time for poker anymore. CRAP!

But mark my word, I'll be back at the Metro soon. I hope... RAWRRR!

Metro Poker League First Quarter 2010 Winners

2010-04-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

Champion - BOY ARIZOLA

2nd Place - Rebel Madagasang
3rd Place - Nilo Lim
4th Place - Kenneth Anzano
5th Place - Henry Nucum
6th Place - Reggie Braceros
7th Place - Beep Yngente
8th Place - Jeric Sucaldito
9th Place - Erwin Rañon
10th Place - Mike Gemepesaw

11th Place - Ria Jose
12th Place - Ali Lee
13th Place - Bong Gallego
14th Place - Bong Reyes
15th Place - JVA
16th Place - Mau Abella
17th Place - Johann de Guzman
18th Place - Ritchie Restauro
19th Place - Paul Estalani
20th Place - Rodel Cameros

Metro Poker League First Quarter 2010 Top 20

2010-04-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

The Metro Poker League Top 20 for the First Quarter of 2010 is finally set and here they are...

#1 Johann de Guzman is a newbie poker player who started playing at the Metro Card Club Davao just last year.

#2 Michael "the Duke of Hazzard" Gempesaw was also part of the MPL 2009 Top 20 and the Poker Face Champion for January 2010. He is known for his crazy and wild poker playing style.

#3 JVA is the veteran of all veterans in Davao City. He is wildly admired by many for his solid game. JVA, a former house player, has been a consistent tournament placer since MCCD opened in 2008. He was the top points earner of MPL 2009.

#4 Bong Reyes is the youngest Poker Face Champion ever at only 22 years. He won the championship for March 2010 after playing live poker for only a few months. It was his first time to join a major tournament.

#5 Reggie "the FISH" Braceros is another familiar face in the Davao poker scene. He has been a force to reckon with in local tournaments. Reggie is part of Team Tight.

#6 Nilo L. is a regular fixture at the MCCD, playing cash games daily. He garnered 6th place at the Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Tournament despite being short stacked. He also got the bounty for kicking Kirby Te out of the tournament.

#7 Boy "the Chairman of the BORED" Arizola is another veteran who also part of last year's MPL 20. He is known for his solid game which he intersperses with a wild, loose game during dull moments in the tournament.

#8 Ria "Super Tight" Jose is this blogger. LOL! Ok so I made up my own nickname. I need a more creative one. I am the lone female in this Top 20 and I got it by virtue of playing a super tight game and lots of luck. I have been playing live poker for less than two years and I feel tons of pressure knowing that my uncle JVA and my cousin Mau are both on the tournament with me.

#9 Erwin "Super Glue" Rañon is another member of Team Tight who plays a tight game of live poker. He spends time playing tournaments and cash games online.

#10 Jeric Sucaldito is a cash game player who has accumulated tons of points by playing in the MCCD's daily tournaments. I have a side bet with this guy. The one who stays longer in the tournament will get P500. It's my tight game vs his loose game. ;-)

#11 Mau Abella was this year's early leaderboard. He is a former Poker Face champion who is popular for his unpredictable playing style which is peppered with bluff plays and pot steals.

#12 Kenneth "Jestoni Alarcon" Anzano is one of the relatively young veterans who holds the record for being the player who has had the most Poker Face Final Table appearances.

#13 Rebel "the King of the World" Madagasang is one of the most popular local players being a wild and loud player often declaring himself as "the King of the World" after winning a big pot or bad beating the good hand of an opponent. The is no one wilder than this Poker Face February 2010 champion.

#14 Ritchie Restauro is another player who has earned his MPL spot by playing and winning in MCCD's daily tournaments.

#15 Henry "Da Mang" Nucum is another veteran poker player whose playing style is punctuated byaggressive pre-flop betting and trapping plays which scares the hell out of regular cash game players.

#16 Bong "GM" Gallego is another player who plays a tight game and enters a pot only when he is certain he is nuts. That's what he told me, anyway. Hi game is poles apart from those of his best buddies.

#17 Paul Estalani is perhaps the only virtually unknown player to have entered the Top 20. He is rarely seen at MCCD but has managed to spend enough time and earned enough points to put his name on the leaderboard.

#18 Ali "Gator" Lee is the only foreigner in the field of 20. He is a former Poker Face Champion and is one of the most recognizable faces in the local poker scene.

#19 Rodel "Boy Gutshot" Cameros used to be known as Boy Sure Ball. He WAS a tight player but something happened along the way and he is now Boy Gutshot often calling inside straight draws.

#20 Beep Beep Yngente gets the final slot in the Top 20. He is an aggressive, wild player who loves to bet pre-flop even with just suited connectors or even with very weak hands. Often an early chip leader, he bullies his way to the top.

These 20 poker warriors will see action on April 11 to determine who is the best among the best of the first quarter of 2010. See you at the tables! :)

New Rule Implementation

2010-04-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

During Day 1A of the Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Special Tournament, I was reprimanded during one of the early rounds. I was given a verbal warning by the dealer for standing up from the table, even when I was dealt a card and it was not yet my turn to act.

Given that, (1) I was not around when the tournament began and I was assuming this new rule was announced while I was not around, (2) I understood the logic and rationale of the rule even if it was not explained, and (3) the floor manager/tournament director announced the rule to the room after I was warned, I accepted the verbal warning. I even informed my friends who were going to play in Day 1B regarding the new rule.

I was dismayed when the said rule was not mentioned or reiterated during Day 2 of the tournament. I noticed several players in my table committing the same violation multiple times. When I pointed this out to the dealer, she ignored me totally. She didn't even acknowledge my complaint and I didn't see her approach the floor manager or tournament director regarding this.

I personally approached the GM regarding the violations but not once did he even remind the players regarding the new policy.

Which makes me wonder? Why was I reprimanded and given a warning? Was I being singled out? Is the management serious in implementing this new policy?

I see it fit to ask these questions as I feel like I was being discriminated and I feel offended that I was singled out as the only one given a warning for violating a NEW policy which I was not even informed about.

I was gracious in accepting the warning issued to me, but I feel like it is not fair that I was the only one given such throughout the entire tournament even if there were several others who committed the same violation.

Metro Poker League First Quarter 2010

2010-03-31T01:55:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of the Metro Poker League First Quarter 2010. And I'm currently the lone female at #8. Can I say... WOOHOO!!! I rarely joined tournaments but did well in some major tournaments plus placed well in several megasatellites and sit and go tournaments. Thank you very much!

Among those with me in the Top 20 are Poker Face Champions Mike Gempesaw (#2, January), Rebel Madagasang (#13, February), and Bong Reyes (#4, March). Also in the top 20 are veterans JVA, Boy Arizola, and Henry Nucum. Tournament staples Mau Abella, Erwin Ranon, and Reggie Braceros are also at the top.

The final tournament tonight will determine if the MPL Q1 2010 cast is already final.

The Top 20 after tonight will play at a P50,000 free roll tournament on April 11, 2010.

GLHF to us all! ;-)

Live Blogging: Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Special Day 2

2010-03-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

151 participants
66 remaining
500k pot
Bounty for Kirby Te: 5k

AS 46,500
Mine 25,600

3:05 pm Tournament resumes
R11 600/1200, 100
T1: Hilda, Joel, Nathan, Ely, Mau, Ria, Lisa C, x, Randy M, Alex V
T2: Cza, LC, maggie, Nilo, Mash
T3: Jib, Yoyong, Reggie, Kenneth, Richard L, JVA
T4: John O, Henry, Boy A, Bong G, Jun J
T5: Art G, X, Bong, Albert, Ricky, Drew, Dan
T6: Miriam, Curt, Eugene
T7: Regine, Karloz, Jubrill, Yong, Ricky

4:10 pm R12 800/1,600
47 players remaining
45 players will get points

I've been transferred to T5.
T5: Art G, X, Errol, Bong, Albert, Ricky, Drew, Ria, Dan

5:42 pm R16 1,500/3k, 300
30 players left, 15 ITM
T3: Al, Ria, Errol, Yoyong, Drew, Ken A, Yong, JVA
AS: 100,666
Mine: 40,100

6:05 pm R16
I'm out at 28th place.
3 tables left.

9:05 pm R21, 6k/12k, 1k
13 players left

19th Andrew Alipio
18th Dondie Dagdagan
17th Errol Chua
16th Miriam Dickinson
15th JVA
14th Art Garcia

9:34 pm 10 players remaining
13th Ely
12th Yoyong
11th Hilda
10th Ricky

9:56 pm Final Table
Bong
Czarina L
Nilo L
Rodel
Ken A
Maggie L
Mau A
Yong
Mark

12 mn 5 players remaining
R24 24k/12k, 2k
9th Ken A
8th Mau A
7th Cza L
6th Maggie L

1:30 am Final Heads Up
Mark vs Bong

5th Nilo L
4th Rodel
3rd Yong
2nd Mark
Champion BONG REYES of Cotabato

Acknowledgment:

SOUL Lifestyle, 2nd floor Gaisano Mall of Davao, JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City
CACI Face and Body Centre, Sequoia Inn, Monteverde Street, Davao City
Hairs and Nails, Body and Faces, Duterte Street, Davao City

Live Blogging: Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Special Day 1A

2010-03-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Day 1A of the largest tournament in this island, for the first quarter of 2010. To end the highly contested Metro Poker League Season, the Metro Card Club Davao is holding a Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Special with a P500,000 pot guaranteed.

Buy-in: P3,000
Registration: P500
Starting stack: 20,000
70 players in

545 pm Middle of Round 1, 25/50 Blinds
Table 1: Aris C, Edith, Yoyong, Mash, Boy A, Randy Y
T2: Franz A, Marivel, Miriam, Alex C,
T3: Mike D Cza, Albert, Bong T, Rodel
T4: Iceman, Justin, Ely, Jam
T5: Mark E, Ricky, Sheryl, John A, Jeric
T6: Kenneth, RIa, Badz, Rhonson/John, Ricky, Lito A
T7: Mitch, Richard L, Bong L, Bimbo, Macoy, Henry H, Miyo

6:14 pm First player out: Rhonson Ng

6:48 pm 75 registered players, and it's just Day 1A. We're at Round 3, 100/200 blinds.

7 pm 68 players left, Round 4 150/300 blinds
Average Stack: 23,500
Mine: 26,000+

8:30 pm T7 collapsed.
Round 6, 200/400 blinds, ante 25
AS 34,800
Mine 22,000+

9:30 pm 50 players remaining
T6 is collapsed
Now at T1, S4
T1 Lito A, Al, x, Ria, Yoyong, Mash, Boy A, Randy Y, X, X
R8 300/600, A 50
AS 31,600
Mine 22,900

11:10 pm Day 1A is finished at R10, 500/1k blinds
28 players remaining
AS 52,413
Mine 25,600

Acknowledgment:
CACI Face and Body Care Centre Sequoia Inn, Monteverde Street, Davao City
SOUL Lifestyle 2nd Floor, Gaisano Mall of Davao, JP Laurel, Davao City

Spade

2010-03-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Live Blogging: Poker Face February 2010

2010-02-28T00:42:00.000-08:00

4:30 pm Came in at Round 4. Table 5, Seat 9.
T1: Moi, Rey R, x, Ali, X, Maldy, Carol, Tom, Bong L
T2: X, Art G, Flo, Richard L, Mon, Jib, Andrei
T3: Winston, Karloz, X, Reggie B, Rodel, Nilo L
T4: Roy, Mike G, x, Rebel, x, JVA, Jian, Ricky, Ken A, Bong G
T5: Celso, X, Alex C, Bong T, Jon Uy, X, Maui, Jun, Ria, Jeric
T6: Kirby, Ritchie, Miriam, Balong, Alvin, Aris
T7: Cza, Johann, Nax, Renz, Jam
58 players remaining
AS 31,379
Mine 29,100

6 pm 48 players remaining
Haven't won a significant pot. Folded AK off suit at the small blind after John raised and Jason called. Folded pocket 8s after Jason raised with pocket Kings.
AS 37, 916
Mine 26,025

6:45 pm Dinner break.
R8, 300/600
6 tables left
AS 35,686
Mine 54,475
Won pots with AJ J top pair, pockets 10, K10 two pairs on the flop, and pocket 8s set on the river. :-)

8 pm R10, 500/1k
43 players left, 5 tables
Kirby Te transferred to our table.
AS 42,325
Mine 70,000
Won a big pot with KQ hearts vs Bong T's AK. 2 pairs. Both limped in.
Board K 10 6 3 Q

9:05 pm Transferred to T3, S8.
4 tables left, 35 players
R13, 1k/2k
3 players all in after the flop
Reggie B pocket 10s
Winston Kings
Karloz Aces
Board 10 9 6 9 6
Winston is out. Karloz is also out in the next hand.
T4 X, Johann, Boy N, Reggie B, Rodel, Ria, Jeric
AS 52,000
Mine 53,500

10 pm R15 1,500/3k
24 players, 3 tables
AS 75,833
Mine 49,600
Won a small pot with A3 suited.

10:45 pm R17 2.5/5k
20 players, 3 tables
AS 91K
Mine 25,500
I am feeling the pressure. Folded good cards.
T1 Moi, Lala, Alex C, Maldy Bong G
T2 Ritchie, Ken A, Mon S, Rey R, Rebel
T3 John U, Johann, Boy N, Reggie B, Rodel, Ria, Jeric

12:40 am R 21, 6/12k
Final table
Ria out at 18th place.
11th place Ritchie Restauro
10th place Rodel Cameros
Final Table:
Reggie B
Mon S
Popoy
Kenneth A
Bong T
Rebel M
Alex C
Johann dG
Lala M

12:50 am Bong Tan out at 9th place.

Update:
8th place Johann de Guzman
7th place Reggie Braceros
6th place Popoy
5th place Alex Cruz
4th place Mon Santos
3rd place Lala Mejaro
2nd place Kenneth Anzano

CHAMPION Rebel "King of the World" Madagasang

Acknowledgment:
GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL
CACI Face and Body Care Centre Sequoia Inn, Monteverde Street, Davao City
SOUL Lifestyle 2nd Floor, Gaisano Mall of Davao, JP Laurel, Davao City
Envy Me Salon by Ada Dolosa McArthur Highway, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City

Upcoming: Poker Face Araw ng Dabaw Special 500k Guaranteed

2010-02-22T23:27:00.000-08:00

In celebration of the Araw ng Dabaw this March 2010, the Metro Card Club Davao is holding a special freeze out tournament. With just a P3,000 buy-in, you get the chance to win a part of the P500,000 guaranteed pot.

Join the fun and excitement this March 28, 2010... only at the best deal in town, the Metro Card Club Davao! :)

Live Blogging: Poker Face Warm-Up Valentine's Special

2010-02-13T21:11:00.001-08:00

It's February 14, 2010. Today is Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year.

Happy Hearts Day and a lucky welcome to the Year of the Tiger! RAWR!

Today is also Day 2 of the Metro Card Club Davao's Poker Face Warm-up Tournament. We will be starting at 3 pm sharp, most probably at Round 7 with 300/600 blinds.

I am short-stacked with only 1,700. My friend, Winston P, is lowest at 1,450. Other players who qualified are Rebel, Tata, Kirby, Miyo, and Maggie.

Keep checking here for updates. Wish us luck!

3:15 pm Tournament is about to start.
96 players total, 54 have qualified.
I'm at T5, S1.
T1 Lisa, Jian, Donie, Czarina, Aris L
T2 Mau, Lisa, Justin, Eugene, Ompong, Miyo, Jundie. Winston
T3 Ed, Tata A, Kirby, Gelo
T4 Moi, Boy A, Mitch, Maggie, Iceman, Henry, Rebel
T5 Ria, Hilda, Mark E, x, Andrew, Mike T, JVA, Franz, Apie
R6 200/400

4 pm 47 players remaining.
AS 20,425, MS 1,975
I tripled up with 9 10 hearts vs S4 A 7 diamonds and Mike T's A K spades
I'm all in with AA. Nobody calls.

4:15 pm I'm out. Pocket 3s vs 10 5 suited and A 8 offsuit.
Board A 10 8 A 8
39 players remaining.

6:15 pm R12, 800/1,600
23 players left

8 pm R16, 2k/4k
13 players remaining, 12 ITM
Hand per hand, Bubble time
T1 Lisa, Philip, Jian, Hilda, Mark E, Henry N
T2 Rodel, Rebel, Bong G, x, Boy A
Chip Leader Rebel

8:15 pm R17 2.5/5k blinds
Henry N at 13th
3 players go all in
Bong G QQ
Franz JJ
Ramil AK -winner

8:20 pm R17 9 players in the final table
Seat 1
Jian Bacar
Lisa
Mark Esteban
Boy Arizola
Hilda Almaden
Seat 7
Ramil
Rebel Madagasang

Pay out
1st 21k
2nd 14k
3rd 10k
4th 6k
5th 4k
6th 3,500
7th 2,500
8th 2k
9th 1k
1st - 12th each gets 1 seat to the Araw ng Dabaw Poker Face Tournament worth 5k

Winners:
CHAMPION - Rebel "the King" Madagasang
2nd Place - ...
3rd Place - Jian Bacar
4th Place - Hilda Almaden
5th Place - Ramil
6th Place - Boy Arizola
7th Place - ...
8th Place - Mark Esteban
9th Place - Lisa Carson
10th Place - Rodel Cameros
11th Place - Franz Avelino
12th Place - Bong Gallego

Congratulations to all the winners! See you at the tables on February 21, 2010 for the main event, the Poker Face Tournament!

Thank you to my sponsors...
SOUL Lifestyle Clothing
CACI Face and Body Care Centre Davao

Live Blogging: Poker Face Warm-Up Valentine's Special

2010-02-11T02:15:00.000-08:00

Day 1A

Buy in 500 + Reg 50
Freeze out
10k chips, 25 minute levels
100k guaranteed
36 players

6:10 pm Tournament starts
T1 Aris, Maggie, Kirby, Lito, Nilo L
T2 Mitch, Rebel, Ken A, Carol, Kit
T3 Beep, X, Edith, Ryan, Ria, Macoy
T4 Bong L, John O, Rodel, Andrei
T5 Moi, Bong, Eli, Jib

Ryan is already out.

We will be playing til Level 10 or only until 20 players are left, whichever comes first.

7:08 pm R3, 32 players left
AS 11,250, Mine 9,900
Won 2 pots with a baby flush and pocket Jacks.

7:15 pm Transferred to T4, S5. Tata A enters the table at S9.

8:40 pm Day 1A ends after R6 200/400 blinds. 17 players left including Kirby, Rebel, Lisa, Maggie, Tata, and Rodel.

My stack is only 1,700, lowest stack. Haha! Wish me luck!

Acknowledgment:
Ginebra San Miguel
CACI Face & Body Centre
SOUL Lifestyle

8th at the Metro Poker League

2010-01-31T20:55:00.000-08:00

WOOHOO!

I now have 2,236.48 points in the Metro Poker League which has garnered me the 8th spot. :) I gained most of my points fter my 10th place wins at both the Poker Face Warm-up and Poker Face Tournaments for January 2010, and my surprise championship at a MegaSatellite tournament.

I am hoping to stay afloat in the Top 20 until the end of March. With this 8th place, I have vowed not to play my own money in cash games, and will continue to try playing at tournaments instead.

Wish me luck! :)

Live Blogging: Poker Face January 2010

2010-01-30T22:54:00.000-08:00

Buy in 5000
Registration 500
Starting stack 2000
Freeze out
54 players

3:05 pm Tournament will begin in a minute.
T1: Karloz, Kirby, Baldo, Maldy, John O, Richard L
T2: Loloy, Bong T, Ria J, Johann, Erwin, JJ, Henry, Roy
T3: Lala, Shylloh, Winston, Jib, Nilo, Ramil, Paolo P, Andrei
T4: Rebel, Mau, Rodel, Reggie, JVA, Richard, Ramil
T5: Boy A, Mike G, Ken, Regine, Alex V, Balong
T6: Mon S, Art, Alex C, Rhonson, Nate, Jeric, Apie
T7: Aris, Ali, Bong L, Rey, Beep, Alex C

5:25 pm Round 6, 200/400 blinds, 43 players left, 5 tables
AS 26,976
My stack 25,950
Best hand yet: 55 vs AK, K J 5 Q 6

6:40 pm Tournament resumes after dinner break. Won 4k+ with pocket 9s before the break, UTG raise pre-flop. Two callers. Set otf with a flush draw showing. Bet 3k, both opponents fold.

Won 10k+ with KJ suited diamonds after the break, limp at the big blind. Flop is K J 4 rainbow. Bet 4k, with 4 players on the pot. Beep raises to 10k at the button, I go all in with 19k+ more. Beep folds with J 4.

Round 8, 300/600 blinds, ante 50, 35 players, 4 tables
AS 33,142
My stack 40,200

7:40 pm Round 10, 500/1k blinds, ante 100, 29 players
AS 40K, Mine 35k
T1 Karloz, Alex Cruz, John O, Richard L, Rodel
T2 Art G, Ria, Johann, Erwin, Miyo, Alex Chua, Paeng
T3 Mike G, Boy A, Alex V, Ali, JVA, Richard
T4 Aris, Shy, Winston, Nilo, Mon, Andrei, Bong G

9 pm Round 13, 1k/2k blinds, ante 200, 19 players left
AS 52,727, mine 67k
Doubled up with pockets 5, set otf. Flop had 2 diamonds. Flush draw went all in.
Chip leader JVA
I'm the lone female player left.
Sharks everywhere!

9:09 pm R13
18 players, 2 tables
T1 Mon, Alex C, Paeng, Aris, Nilo, JVA, Rodel
T2 Bong G, Boy GS, Ria, Johann, Erwin, Boy A, Alex Chua, Mike G, Winston
Chip leaders JVA, Johann
10 players ITM
17 players with MPL points

10:45 pm R17
10 players
T1 Ali, Johann, Nilo, JVA, Rodel
T2 Bong, Ria, Erwin, Boy A, Mike
AS 105,454, mine 40k

11:15 Ria Jose out at 10th place.
Final Table: Mike G, Ali, Nilo, Johann, JVA, Rodel, Erwin, Bong G, Boy A

12:08 Nilo L out at 9th place.
Mike G cracks Nilo's pocket Aces with an Ace high straight.

12:28 Bong G out at 8th place.

12:50 Rodel G out at 7th place.

1:20 Erwin out at 6th place. Erwin's 88s vs Mike's Aces.

3 am Johan out at 5th place.
JVA out at 4th place.
Ali out at 3rd place.
Boy A is chip leader going into the final heads up.
Boy A is runner-up after Mike G wins 3 all in pots.
KJ vs QJ, K at the turn.
K8 top pair flush draw on the flop vs 83 two pairs otf, full house on the river.
A6 suited diamonds vs A5 suited spades, 4 spades cards on the board.

Michael "Mike the Duke of Hazzard" Gempesaw is this month's Poker Face Champion.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS! :-)

See you next month! Up next Poker Face Warm-up Special from February 11 - 14. ^_^

Live Blogging: Metro Poker League Championship

2009-12-30T02:54:00.000-08:00

200k guaranteed
4 players ITM

630 pm Players are introduced.

Table 1: Bong T, Erwin, Boy A, Franz, Henry N, Tata A, Jib, Alex C, Mike G, Nate L

Table 2: Rebel, Aris C, Reggie B, Ali, Kirby, Bong L, Flo, Lala, Daniel, JVA

650 pm Boy A goes all in on the 1st hand.

724 pm Boy A is out at 20th place.

727 pm Erwin set 10s vs Bong T straight with KJ on the flop. Erwin gets FH on the turn. Bong T is out at 19th place.

Sorry for this. Got busy and wasn't able to push through with the full live blogging.

Update...
5th place Jun Villa-Abrille who ranked number one in the MPL Board.
4th place Henry "Da Mang" Nucum, a house player.
3rd place Young gun Jib "Jiborat" Garcia also known as the FISH.
2nd place Tata "Bin Laden the Terrorist" Almaden

CHAMPION LALA "THE LADY" MEJARO, the only female player in the MPL's Top 20.

Congratulations! What a great way for Lala and the lady players of Davao to end 2010!

Good luck to all our MCCD players for the next MPL season which began yesterday, January 3. See you at the tables! :)

Donkey and Fish According to Wikipedia

2009-12-15T04:47:00.000-08:00

Are you a donkey or a fish?

Don't know what that is? Let Wikipedia tell you...

HEE HAW! A donkey, simply put... is a poker player who calls a bet or raise even if he/she does not have a hit or a draw. Even if the other player obviously has a good hand.

A fish, on the other hand, is one who plays poker badly, giving his opponents the chance to get or "fish" all his money or chips away.

Images courtesy of Flo "The Blowfish" Aguilar featuring Mike "the Duke of Hazzard" Gemepsaw, Reggie "the Fish" Braceros, and Jib "the Fish/Donkey" Garcia.

BO Makes Me TILT!

2009-12-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

Ria says... "I'd rather lose my money than sit with you the entire night."

While watching the Talking Heads episode on "Hygiene," I suddenly remembered something... poker players with BO! BO is body odor. OH MY!

Imagine being cramped in close proximity with 8 other guys plus a pretty dealer. Nice situation for a single girl to be in, right? WRONG! Admittedly, most of the guys in my club, sorry boys, aren't good-looking.

Worse, some of them have BO. :-&

Not all of them have it though. But there are just some nights when committing suicide is a healthier, better option than sitting through hours with a guy or guys with a smelly armpit, bad breath, or various combinations of BO. Sometimes, these are combined with various smells of alcohol and smoke.

You know how bitchy and scary I am when I'm on tilt, please let's avoid this situation. It's a very unsavory and unattractive one. It's pure torture to play in a tournament when your seatmate or seatmates have BO. :( In cash games, it's tolerable since we can always change seats or tables... hopefully, the club ain't that full.

Yes, guys... I know that you were probably working the entire day, sweating it out in the gym, or playing basketball. Given that... let me introduce you to something called DEODORANT. And something else named BABY POWDER. And oh... toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash... or hello there... GUM!

Guys... deodorant is cheap. And you must use it! Please, please, please take a shower after working out at the gym or playing basketball or whatever shiz game or sport you play. And baby powder is cheaper. I loooove guys who smell like baby powder. I prolly won't fall in love with you, but at least you won't make me tilt and get bitchy.

And yeah, ya know... perfume, cologne, whatever! I know it's a pain to be bringing perfume or cologne everywhere. But most of you have cars, right? Keep it there. Or if you don't, please... just sit far from me.

I know I'm not the prettiest girl in the club, and probably not the nicest smelling girl in there... but at least I try my best to smell good. That's why mah bag is that big ya know. I bring with me a toothbrush and toothpaste ALL THE TIME! And yeah, perfume or body spray, baby powder... and admittedly DEODORANT.

So you know... if you sense that I am sitting a few inches from you farther than our usually cramped area would allow or leaning away from you, ask me for some mint, or maybe some cologne or baby powder.

And if I tell you you reek of alcohol and yosi, it's not just me being maarte. K? You really do smell.

Piso lang po ang VFresh na binebenta ng guard. :P

And before I forget... please refrain from removing your shoes while playing. Foot odor is not attractive. Guys... FOOT POWDER! Or alcohol. Especially when you decide to leave your shoes in your car and decide to wear slippers to the club. ALCOHOL!

And OMG! This is not related to BO but general hygiene... Please do not pick your nose or scratch your butt while playing. Or lick it after you eat peanuts or whatever pulutan you're having. Use the tissue. We have lots of it. And once, again... ALCOHOL!

Please... at least try? THANKS!

Poker Face for November 2009: Czarina Lim

2009-11-30T00:50:00.000-08:00

Undoubtedly one of the best, if not THE BEST, female poker players in Mindanao, Czarina "Cza" Lim is the Metro Card Club Davao's Poker Face Champion for November 2009. Czarina is one of the earliest and most veteran poker players in the region and can easily play and outplay the best poker players in Mindanao.

Czarina won the final heads up against former champion Ali "Gator" Lee after 11 hours of poker play yesterday, competing with 68 players in the biggest monthly poker tournament in Mindanao.

Also with Czarina and the Gator in the final table were former champion Kirby Te, house player Kenneth Anzano, perennial tournament players Jomans and Alex Chua, and Tagum's Roy Perla. It was definitely a competitive final table with Czarina as the lone female in the group.

Congratulations to Miss Czarina Lim! :)

Live Blogging: Red Dragon PokerMaster Fiesta Special

2009-11-20T03:11:00.000-08:00

7:10 pm Start of tournament. Around 40 players. I'm in T2, S2 with Kenneth T and Bong T. 30,000 stack.
T1 Roy P, Ciara U, Lala M, Jim R.
T3 BM, Mark G, Winston P, Yoyong B, JVA.
T4 Kimboy, Ramil, Bong L, Kirby T, Flo A.
25 minute blinds. Preparing self for A VERY LONG NIGHT. Goal is to reach the final table.
Been having decent hands but the board isn't favorable. Tight. Tight. TIGHT!

7:30 pm Jundie and Brian A are here.

8:10 pm R3 Limped my K10 offsuit. Flopped trips 10. Was able to fish from the big blind.

8:37 pm Former champ Boy BM goes all in. Yoyong B calls. KK vs Q10 offsuit. Boy BM doubles up.

8:40 pm Oct Champ Ken T goes all in. Brian calls at the turn. Q6894. Ken T has 69, Brian has J10. Ken T is out. 34 players left. Yoyong B joins T2. Very aggressive. Wins two consecutive pots.

9 pm T4 Jundie doubles up with AK over Mark G's pocket Js.

9:35 pm Bong T is out. 2 new players in T2. Including high stacked Rebel M. R6 400/800. My stack is below 30k. Players are very loose. Counting on them to knock out each other.

9:45 pm Mark G in T2.

10:50 pm 18 players left. My stack is less than 20k. R10 1k/2k. 9 places ITM.

11:20 pm I double up. All in at the button with pocket Kings. Ramil calls with 56 hearts. Folded pocket 8s and 4s. R11 1.5k/3k, AS 61,764. My stack 35k.

12 mn R13 2.5k/5k. I double up again. Raised to all in the bet of Yoyong. He calls with A7 suited. I hold pocket Queens. I get a full house over his trips. AS 87,500. My stack is 65,000. 12 players left.

12:30 am 10 players ITM. Roy P at the bubble.
Mark G, Kimboy - shortest stack, Rebel, Winston, Ria, Engr Imboy, Engr Engin, Brian A, JVA, Kirby T. Wish me luck!
10th place gets 10k.
R14 3k/6k. AS 105,500. My stack 54,300.

12:48 am Brian goes all in. Kimboy calls for less. AQ hearts vs pocket Aces. Kimboy doubles up.

12:51 am Brian all in for 7k KJ vs A3 of Rebel. AKK67. Brian doubles up. Having an asthma attack. Pft!

12:55 am Engin 55 vs Brian A10. 1068A4.

1 am Rebel raises 15k. Engin and Brian go all in. A5 vs AK. A5 is straight draw and flush draw. Engin is out at 10th place with P10,000.

1:05 am Imboy is all in. Kirby and Mark G at the blinds call. Imboy is out at 9th place with P12,250.

1:16 am Mark G is out. Pocket Kings vs Brian's AQ. Brian gets a full house. Mark is at 8th place with P12,250.

1:24 am Kimboy doubles up with Q9 vs Rebel's pocket 6s.

1:35 am I go all in with AQ. Kimboy eliminates me with pocket 7s. 6 players remaining. Kirby is chip leader. I go out at 7th place with P12,250.

2:05 am Kimboy goes all in with pocket 4s. Rebel calls with A5 off suit. Rebel "The King" is out of the tournament at 6th place with P17,500.

2:13 am Brian goes all in after a flop shows 2 6 7. Kimboy calls with pocket 4s again. Brian is holding a 9 10 with an inside straight draw and two over cards. Turn is a King and the river is a 3. Brian is out at 5th place with 24,500.

2:47 am Kimboy goes all in with pocket 10s after Kirby raises with AJ off suit. Board shows A Q 8 J and 3. Kimboy is out at 4th with P31,500.

3 am Tournament ends with chip leader Kirby Te getting the championship title and a P124,250 cash prize. JVA bows out at second place with P65,500 and Winston Pulido at third place with P45,500.

Congratulations to the Red Dragon Poker Club and all the winners! :)

All photos courtesy of Roy Perla of the Red Dragon Poker Club.

Live Blogging: Ladies' Night

2009-11-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

It's Wednesday. Ladies' Night at the Metro Card Club Davao.

6:35 pm Tournament starts. 35 players, 28 ladies, 7 men. I'm in T1 with 8 ladies, 0 men! Good luck to me!
The only serious tournament players are Anne Recones, Carol Smith, Mike D, and I.

7:30 pm 2 players are out from T1. Argh! Having a hard time play against the noobs. R6 200/400, my stack is only 6,325. Rawr!

7:55 pm Two moves left. All in or fold. :'(

8:20 pm Went all in for 2,300 at R11 600/1,200 blinds. Holding a Q10 offsuit. Two callers, board is 8 2 2 Q 9. Oppenents are K8 and pockets 6. I triple up. Next hand, I went all in again with pocket Jacks. No callers. R12, 2 tables left, 800/1,600 blinds.

8:50 pm Player raises 5,000. I go all in with 9,000+ at R15, 1,500/3,000, holding my fave pockets 8s. She calls with AQ hearts. I get a full house on the turn. My stack is now 23,000.

9:50 pm Chips reduced to 12,000 at 2,500/5,000 blinds. Stole 3 pots, and went all in with QJ diamonds. Final table, 3 guys, 7 ladies. R19 4,000/8,000. My stack is 64,000.
Final Table: Jenny H, RVA, Lani, Mike D, Anne R, Ria J, Sheryl, X, Carol S, and Eyla.
Eyla all in for 3,000. Out at 10th place.

9:52 pm X goes all in. Triples up with K high spades flush.

10:05 RVA, Lani, Mike D, and X are out. 5 ladies remaining. Only 2 seats to be given.

10:25 pm Ria out at 5th place. Never been this exhausted after a tournament.

10:38 pm Sheryl out at 4th place. Jenny out at 3rd place.

10:42 pm Carol wins 1st place. Ann gets 2nd place.

Live Blogging: Poker Face Warm-Up

2009-11-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

A live blog of the Poker Face Warm-Up Tournament of the Metro Card Club Davao...

3 pm Tournament starts. 55 players in the tournament.

3:20 pm Won a pot for pocket 5s with JJ10 flop. Then lost a pot with a top pair on the flop after turn showed a flush of diamonds.

3:30 pm T1 AA vs KK. AA (Rene VA) is full house on the flop.

3:51 pm T4 Mike G, Franz A, Hans K, Ritchie R, Andrei M, Ria J, Bong T, Nilo L, Henry H, and Winston P. All legit tournament and cash game players except for.... Hope nobody tilts. Already had a rebuy.

6 tables. T1 Flo, RVA, Rey R, Patrick H, Carlos D, Iceman, Paulo, Natz L.
T2 Erwin, Boy A, Jomans, Basil H, Kirby T, Meloy.
T3 JJ, Jonee A, John O, Jesse C, Baldo, Hilda, Tata A, JVA, Maui VA, Aris C.
T5 Joel A, Mike D, Maui A, Beep, Lala M, Rebel M.
T6 Sam, Art G, Rodel, Tom, Jib G, Erwin R, Mitch A, Jeric S.

3 uncles, 1 aunt, and 2 cousins are playing.

4 pm T4 Pre flop Henry N raises 750, at 100/200. Hans K re-raises to 1500. Henry N re-re-raises to 4500. Chris calls.
Flop A 10 8 (2 clubs) Henry checks, Hans goes all in. Henry calls. Henry is KK, Hans is AA.
Turn 4 clubs. Henry has a flush draw.
River Q diamonds.

4:10 pm Break for add on.

4:30 pm Bong T First to act bets 750 (150/300). Andrei at the small blind raises to 2500. Ria at the big blind re-raises to 7500. Bong & Andrei fold. Bong AK,Andrei QQ, Ria KK.

5:50 pm Round 8 300/600, Ante 50. Ave stack 27,884. My stack 38,225.

6:25 pm End of R9. Ave stack 30,697. My stack 46,000. Dinner break.

8 pm R13, 1000/2000. 30 players left. Ave stack 44,000. My stack 30,000. 2 moves. T4 dissolved. Now in T3 with 2 uncles.

8:30 pm R15, 1.5/3k blinds. Just won 3 consecutive hands. Stole the pot at the big blind.
At the small blind, Baldo at the button raised 10k. I went all in. Baldo calls for less. Baldo KK loses to my AA.
Hilda goes all in with 19k+ under the gun. I call. Hilda's A3 suited diamonds was defeated by my AK offsuit.
23 players left. Ave stack is 57,391. My stack is 89,500.

9:15 pm Attempted to steal the pot with A8 offsuit. Tata A calls with pocket 10s. I win with a runner 5 high straight. R17 2.5/5 k blinds. 21 players. Ave stack 62,857. My stack 119,500.

9:20 pm R18, 3/6k. T3 dissolved. At T1 with 117,500.
T1 Baldo, Ria, Mitch, Hans, Carlos, Tom, Mike, Baloy, JVA, and Winston.
T2 Tata, Lala, Maui, Jomans, Rebel, Jesse, Bong, and Rodel.

10 pm R19 Transferred to T2 with 12 players left. Jomans all in with AK, Bong all in with KK. Board is Q54Q7. 11 players left. My stack is 92,500. Bubble time!

10:25 pm Final table. R20 5/10k. 106,000 chips. Players: Ria, Winston, JVA, Maui, Jesse, Carlos, Lala, Mike, Bong, and Baldo.

10:35 pm Jesse C out at 10th place. R21, Winston is all in. Out at 9th place.

10:44 pm JVA out in 8th place.

10:55 pm Mike G out in 7th place after being defeated by Maui.

11 pm Ria is all in. Out at 6th place.

11:05 pm Carlos Datumanong is out at 5th place.

11:20 pm Baldo Recones is out at 4th place.

11:30 pm Lala Mejaro is out at 3rd place. Final heads up between Mau (Nov 08 PF Champ) and Bong T (June PF & August WU Champ).

Past 12 midnight Bong T is out at 2nd Place. Mau Abella is the Poker Face Warm-Up Champion for November 2009. :)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS!

Poker Face Anniversary Special: 1 Million Guaranteed

2009-09-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with us as the Metro Card Club Davao turns one this October. As the biggest hub for poker enthusiasts in Mindanao, MCCD will celebrate this birthday with a bang. This month's Poker Face Tournament will have a 1 million pot guaranteed, with three days of intense poker action.

The blinds structure of the tournament will follow that of our ONE Tournament (Day 1 and 2), but this time players must register to play in either Day 1a (October 16) or Day 1b (October 17). Qualified players from both days will then proceed to play on day 2 (October 18).

It's a freeze out tournament, with a buy-in of P10,0000 and a registration fee of P1,000.

If you are from out of town and need assistance in finding and reserving your accommodations, please email me your contact number at riajose at gmail dot com.

See at the best deal in town.... the Metro Card Club Davao!

Poker Face Kadayawan Special

2009-07-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Red Dragon's 2nd PokerMaster Tournament

2009-07-08T01:35:00.000-07:00

Ria Jose

Got the chance to join the Red Dragon Poker Club 2nd PokerMaster Tournament last June 20 in Tagum City. And it was a different experience. With a buy-in of P2,000, registration at P500 plus an add-on worth P1,000, I set my eyes on part of the P100,000 guaranteed pot. 44 other poker players were also there to test their skills and try their luck.

Poker players from the Metro Card Club Davao also joined the tournament. With me were Metro Poker League leader, my uncle JVA, and my friends Bam, Mark Gempesaw, and Flo Aguilar. And representing the Davao poker ladies with me were Marilyn “Lala” Mejaro and Rose Newman.

Lala Mejaro

It was an entirely different game as Tagum players had very different styles and strategies compared to the Davao players that I'm used to play with. To start, there were a lot of limpers. And a lot of them really fought for and bought their draws. It was a stressful but fun tournament for me.

I made a big mistake of folding my pocket sevens in the final two tables after I heard the guy to my left say that he was gonna go all in. I was gonna win that hand and a monster pot if I did call. :( I was out at 14th place (I think) after I went all in with an Ace rags (it was that bad that I forgot what it was) that went against ... POCKET ACES! LOL!

Young poker players Garnet Campos, Mark G, and Ria J

Former champion, Tyron Uy bowed out early of the competition. The players in the final two tables were a mix of veteran players and young enthusiasts. Male players dominated the field as only three ladies entered the final 20. JVA bowed out of the competition during bubble time at 11th place.

Final Table

At the end of the night which ended at 5 am, Engr. Medel “Engin” Torres was declared the champion. Torres who was the chip leader with 369,900 coming into the Final Table beat Boy BM in the final heads up. Torres received a cash prize of P55,300 and the bragging rights as the Red Dragon Poker Master for June 2009.

Other players who cashed out were:

3rd - Garret Campos
4th - Christopher "Topher" Raymundo
5th - Macao Macalinao
6th - Lala Mejaro
7th - Romeo "Jack" Vias
8th - De Carlo "Oyo" Uy
9th - Rudyard Salazar
10th - Paolo Flores

Suffice to say, it was a long and stressful tournament. But I did enjoy it mainly because all the players were very light-hearted. The dealers and the staff of the Red Dragon Poker Club also took very good care of us. Plus I envy the really nice tables and buttons.

Thanks and kudos to Red Dragon big boss Tyron Uy for a successful tournament. :)

More poker action awaits poker enthusiasts as the next Red Dragon Poker Master in Tagum shall be determined on July 18, 2008. See you at the Red Dragon Poker Club!

The Red Dragon Poker Club is located at the 2nd floor of the Kopi Roti Building, along the National Highway in Tagum City.

Photos courtesy of the Red Dragon Poker Club staff. :)

Team Metro Tournament Highlights

2009-06-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some entertaining highlights from the Team Metro Tournament held last June 14, 2009 at the Metro Card Club Davao...

Poker Tournaments this Weekend

2009-06-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

First off, congratulations to my Papa Franz Avelino (joke lang!) for winning the Heads Up Championship for June. He beat October Poker Face Champion and November Heads Up Champion Kirby Te. Franz slew me early in the tournament by checking his two pairs on the flop. I went all in with lower two pairs at the turn. It was the first hand in our first match. Played one hand on my first heads game. LOL!

I would also like to congratulate Team Expats that beat Teams Rugrats and Tilters to become the Team Metro Champions yesterday.

Moving on... I will be joining two very exciting tournaments this weekend.

On Saturday, I will be trying out my skills and my luck at the Red Dragon Poker Room in Tagum City. I have been invited to join their PokerMaster Tournament, and I will be covering the event as well. Looking forward to flexing my poker skills, and slaying some dragons. I heard the style and strategy of the players there are very much different from those here in Davao City, so I'm looking out to be challenged. Many thanks to Tyrone Uy for the invitation!

And on Sunday, I will be back at my homebase, the Metro Card Club Davao for the Poker Face Warm Up Tournament. It's structured like the monthly Poker Face Tournament but cheaper and with a smaller pot. It's a practice of sorts. Plus it's a good way to earn major point for the Metro Poker League (I'm ranked number 28 thus far). Buy-in is P1,000 plus registration of P250. Rebuy and add on are at P500 each. Players start with a stack of 10,000 and the guaranteed pot is P100,000.

It's gonna be another busy, busy but fun weekend! :-)

Shout out to my reader Danny, a poker dealer from London who has been playing with his friends at the MCCD the past few days. He learned about the MCCD through this blog. Hi Danny and James!!! :) Don't be such a fish boy. Hope more of my readers drop by the MCCD. Looking forward to meeting more of you guys. ;)

The Metro Poker League

2009-06-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

In order to encourage and develop excellent and consistent tournament play, the Metro Card Club Davao has launched the Metro Poker League (MPL).

MCCD will be awarding points to the top 30% participants of its regular multi-table tournaments starting June 1, 2009 until November 30, 2009. It was launched with a tournament last Sunday in which all participants were awarded 500 points each to kick of their Leader Board standings.

The number of points awarded to players will correspond to the number of entrants in the tournament, the buy-in amount, and your place or ranking in that tournament. The formula is as follows:
Points = 10 x {[sqrt (n)] / [sqrt (k)] x [b/100]}
where:
n = number of entrants
k = place or ranking
b = buy-in amount

At the end of the League season, the top 20 players in the MPL Leader Board will be invited to join the exclusive MPL Free Roll Tournament with a guaranteed pot of P200,000 on December 2009. In addition, the player with the most points in the MPL Leader Board will automatically receive P50,000.

I am not really optimistic I will be in the Top 20 as I don't really invest much in playing in tournaments, but maybe, yes? I placed 13th in last Sunday's launching tournament. ;-)

I think that the really strong contenders for the Top 20 are Poker Face Champions Kirby Te and Maui Abella. Other players who might have a strong showing in the leader board are Tournament Specialist Bong Lu, and veterans like Boy Arizola, JJ Javier, JVA, and Henry Nucum. Also to watch out for are James Young, Kenneth Anzano, and the Almaden brothers.

Among the young players, I think those who are good contenders are Franz Avelino, Jib Garcia, Andrei Martin, Mike Te, and Mark Gempesaw. And the ladies? We're sure to be represented by Rose Newman, Czarina Lim, Lala, and Leah Abella.

So why don't you start climbing the leader board by playing today, and everyday as the MCCD brings you various tournaments DAILY. Accumulate points while supercharging your poker powers by playing with the smartest and most competitive poker players in town.

Note: Sit & Go Tournaments, Special Tournaments, Special Satellite Tournaments, Exclusive or Private Tournaments or Free Rolls, unless otherwise stated or determined, do not count towards the MPL Leader Board.

Poker Face FAIL!

2009-05-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, May 24, 2009 I joined the monthly Poker Face Tournament of the Metro Card Club Davao. I was able to win a seat for the tournament in one of its satellites. I would like to think I have been improving as a poker player, so I thought I had better chance than when I last joined back in January.

Last Sunday, I picked table 10, seat 4. Among those in my table were young players Mark Esteban and Mike Gempesaw, and foreigners American Chris Teitrich and Dutch Daniel. It was mostly composed of MCCD regulars. It was a tough table since nobody really budged or folded when somebody raised. In other words, matitigas ang ulo.

After one round, Mike had already had a rebuy. LOL! I won two pots with a mid pair, and with a top pair, but those were small pots. :( The biggest pot I won was with a fullhouse in which the chip leader tried to bluff me. HUH! I folded an AJ after a raise, re-raise by the other players. And after three slow but action-packed rounds, there was a break for the add-ons. I didn't rebuy and add-on. Wala lang... LOL!

After the break, around three deals after Round 4 began, I held a pockets A. At 150/300 blinds, I went all in with 6,250 under the gun. Unfortunately, somebody called and got a fullhouse Jacks over tens on the flop. And I was the second one out. FAIL! My mistake, I know. Could have gotten scott free if only I didn't go all in before the flop. STUPEEEED!

The tournament ended late at around 2 am with Korean cash game player Ali taking the big money. Early chip leader JJ Javier bowed out at 7th place, while one of my other mentors Sir Boy Arizola ended up at 3rd place. Tagum's Tyrone Uy was at second place.

So all in all it wasn't a fail. It was a huge success akshully. Save for my monumental tournament fail!!! But I'll get them next time. ;)

Metro One Tournament: AK vs AQ

2009-05-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

Two heads up plays with AK vs AQ. Both involving eventual 2nd placer Ken Ansano.

Videos taken during the ONE Tournament at the Metro Card Club Davao last May 1, 2009. First play involves Ken and Maui Abella, while the second play involves Ken and Alex Cruz of General Santos City.

Much love to Carol Smith for helping me take the video. :)

ONE Tournament Day 2

2009-05-04T02:50:00.001-07:00

Day 2 was off to an early start as most of the 50 remaining players arrived on time ready for poker action. After a few hours, it was already bubble time for the final two tables. It was finally burst after Mark Esteban bluffed with an A8 hearts which was busted out with the AK spades of PM's BuddhaGeorge. This gave him a low stack, and forced him to go no look, all in. Surprisingly, he had the top pair on board as he was holding KL suited. Even more surprising, Alex Cruz also called him, no look, all in. And he had pockets Q!

After the bubble excitement, only 20 players remained. All twenty of them were already ensured of a prize as the 11th to 20th placers were each given P10,000 non-cashable chips by Pagcor. Locals were rooting for tournament regulars Reggie Lu, James Young, Maui Abella, Kenneth Ansano, former MCCD Floor Manager Ken Ansano, the Almaden brothers: Tata and Iceman, and the lone lady remaining, Rose Newman.

Of course, players from out of town didn't travel all the way to Davao just to be busted early. Alex Cruz of General Santos, Wennie Odog of CDO, and the famed Eric Cheung of Cebu remained strong in their campaign for the championship. Among them, it was really Eric that showed an impressive strong gameplay from early game until the wee hours of the morning.

Metro Manila was also well-represented with Ariel Reyes, Jojo Tech, Raymond Enriquez, and PM's George, among others. It was George who provided much entertainment to the spectators and the players alike as he went all in, more than enough times. Early during the day, he also shocked a lot of players when he jokingly cursed in Bisaya. LOL! :)

It was definitely, not a day to joke as locals started to bow out of the competition even before the final table. A lot of people were disappointed as Maui, Reggie, Rose, James, and the Iceman busted out to their competitors. Meanwhile, Ken remained strong and aggressive, getting chips, and busting out players from the final 20. So much so that going into the final table, he was the chip leader.

Past 10 pm, ten poker players stood up to take their seats at the final table. The 10 consisted of five local players, Eric of Cebu, Wennie of CDO, and Raymond, Jojo, and Ariel of Manila. It was a quiet and intense poker action punctuated by cheers and jeers from supporters of the final 10.

In the end, it was early chip leader Ken and the silent Jojo who battled in the final heads up, after local favorite Tata was eliminated from the tournament. The two battled for only 3 hands. In the final hand, the two went all in as the board showed a King high. Ken was holding a K10 off suit, which was trumped by Jojo's AK off suit. In the end, Jojo's patience and smart plays paid off as he took home the prize, the trophy, and the admiration of many poker enthusiasts who watched him play his way to the top.

The other placers in the final ten are:
4th place - Rebel Magdagasang of Davao
5th place - Eric Cheung of Cebu
6th place - Franz Avelino of Davao
7th place - Ariel Reyes of Manila
8th place - Raymond Enriquez of Manila
9th place - Wennie Odog of Cagayan de Oro
10th place - James Young of Davao

Congratulations and thank you to all the winners and participants!

Much kudos to the organizers, promoters, tournament directors, dealers, chip runners, and other members of the staff who made this event one of the most successful and best organized ones this year! ;)

We look forward to more fun and interesting poker action. ;) Only at the Metro Card Club Davao... the best deal in town. :)

ONE Tournament Day 1

2009-05-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

Leah Abella, Lala, Czarina Lim, Ria Jose
First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sir Bryan Lim! :)

So to celebrate his birthday, the Metro Card Club Davao hosted the ONE Tournament which kicked off yesterday. The tournament has a buy-in of P10,000 and a registration fee of P1,000 in exchange for 20,000 worth of chips. The tournament has a 1 MILLION PESOS guaranteed pot!!!

PM's Del aka Welcoat
Yesterday, we say more than 120 players join in on the action. Popular Davao players such as the Almaden brothers, Bong "The Tournament Specialist" Lu, and Kirby Te pitted wits against Manila players such as the Poker Manila boys. PM was well-represented by the presence of the Branganza brothers, Del, Pusang Gala, George, and Pocket Joe. Aggressive tournament players Mau Abella, Reggie Lu, and Randy Yap were also present to up the ante. Also joining into the fray are young poker guns Nate Lorenzana, Jib Garcia, Mark Gempesaw, Andrei Martin, and the Avelino brothers. Also notable was the participation of lady poker players Czarina Lim, Lala, Rose Newman, and the mother-daughter tandem of Mrs. and Carol Smith. Players from Tagum City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and General Santos City were also around to represent their cities.

Chip Leaders and Brothers: Iceman and Tata Almaden
After 14 rounds of action, at around 9:30 pm, only 50 players remained in contention with young Davao player Peter Abella bowing out at 51st place. And among the 50, these are the 20 whose chip stacks remain higher than the rest:

1 Tata Almaden 132,800
2 Alden Almaden 131,400
3 Mike Larzen 113,500
4 Franz 111,100
5 Wennie 100,200
6 Bong Lu 89,400
7 Reggie LU 88,900
8 Mau Abella 88,500
9 George Lim 74,100
10 Jun Veldevia 69,000
11 Nate Lorenzana 67,300
12 Alex Cruz 66,500
13 Angelo 66,400
14 Alex Gucor 64,400
15 John Uy King 59,900
16 Eric Cheung 59,800
17 Ron Sia 58,200
18 Dodot Hilario 53,200
19 Leah Abella 52,400
20 Don Carmona 44,200

It was really quite a shock to see so many people inside the MCCD. Players and spectators alike were full of excitement and energy as 12 tables offered poker action, bad beats, and other surprises.

Young Guns: Aris Cantada, Randy Yap, Nate Lorenzana
An extra bonus was meeting the PM members who came in all the way from Manila. They even surprised me with a nifty PM cap. :) I was hoping to meet MCC Ortigas' Sunshine Samson, but didn't see her anywhere. Maybe later?

The cards will be dealt to the remaining 50 poker warriors at 2 pm this afternoon. As we gamers would say... GLHF! ;)

Updates

2009-04-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

I couldn't think of a more creative entry title, so pardon me.

People, left and right, have been looking for me since I haven't been to the Metro Card Club Davao (MCCD) in more than a week. And for Ria, that's quite a long time. People have especially been noticing that the poker room has been quieter because of my absence. HULOLZ! To cut the story short, I've been hospitalized and I am now still recovering.

So anyway, the Poker Face for April has been concluded and my friend, Baldo has been crowned champ. He has now earned his spot on MCCD's wall of fame. Other young players on the final table were Nate Lorenzana, and Mark Esteban who garnered the second place. They went up against Art Garcia, Atty. Casim, James Young, Karloz Alba, Henry Nucum, Sir Rey, and Richard Lo.

And now that the Poker Face Tournament for April 2009 is over, the frenzy for the One Tournament has reacher fever pitch. Today until Thursday, poker enthusiasts will be given the chance to win seats to the tournament. MCCD is also anticipating the arrival of poker players from Manila, Cebu, and other parts of the country. Some of them I have met online via the Poker Manila forums. :)

The tournament will start on May 1, with a P10,000 buy-in and a P1,000 registration fee. It will be a freeze out tournament with a guaranteed 1 million pot. Cards will be dealt beginning at 2 pm. And the tournament will end on May 2. For more information, please visit the tournament page.

So I will definitely be present there on Friday. That's the last day of my medication. ;)

The MCCD will also play host to a live telecast of the Pacquiao - Hatton Fight on May 3. For P450 net, you will get to watch the fight LIVE and partake in a sumptuous brunch buffet. :)

For more information on MCCD and it's events, visit the poker room's official site at MetroCardClubDavao.com, or join the MCCD Facebook Group for more updates.

See you all soon! :) Stay healthy. ;)

How Did I Start Playing Poker?

2009-04-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

Most of the poker players at the Metro Card Club Davao started playing at the Casino or online. The girls, most of them started playing poker coz of their husbands or boyfriends. Me, however, I started because my high school friends and I were super bored one summer evening of 2004. Because of that boredom, we started hanging our nightly at my house and one of us taught us how to play poker. It was even Texas Hold 'Em back then. I don't know what kind of poker it was. We didn't have blinds, and only bet in P1 increments.

But even before that, I already knew how to play local versions of poker. As a kid, I played Chikicha (or Chikacha) with my cousins. Then I learned how to play piat-piat in college. Eventually, I also played poker with my paternal cousins and their friends. Later on, I my maternal cousins and I played poker during family gatherings.

In 2008, one of my DotA buddies started training to be a dealer at the Metro Card Club Davao. He didn't pursue that job, but his training encouraged my poker buddies to start holding Texas Hold 'Em house games. We started sometime August 2008. We played poker almost every night. Weekdays and weekends. I was a stupid player back then. And the boys, they loved bullying me. So I stopped playing with them.

October 2008, I was invited to a DigitalFilipino.com gathering which was held at the Casino Filipino at the Grand Regal Hotel here in Davao City. One of the sidelights of the event was a poker tournament for the bloggers present. I got the third prize in that free roll tournament.

Later that month, one of my friends played in Metro Card Club Davao's Poker Face Tournament. I accompanied him at that tournament. That day, I learned one of my uncles was a house player at the club, while a cousin was one of the floor managers. The following nights, I would accompany my friends while they played at the Metro. While I watched my friends play, my uncle would occasionally give me money or chips so I could also play.

And since then, I was hooked. The interest in being a better poker player and the rush of playing a game got me addicted. By nature, I am a competitive person. Recently, I realized, it was partly the nerdy gamer (as asserted by this very interesting blog post) in me that also got me interested in poker. See, unlike most of my other friends, I don't see poker as gambling. Rather, it is a game, a sport even. While I am not much of an athlete or sportswoman, I enjoy competing, especially in events or games that challenge the mind.

After months of playing regularly, I can proudly say I have improved. I am by no means a professional yet. And maybe I'll never be one. But I'd like to think I'm quite a competitive thinking poker player right now. And a formidable opponent in cash games. As for tournaments, I still have a lot to experience before I can say I am somebody to look out for.

Join me as I continue my journey in playing this game. ;)

Aris Cantada Goes All In at the Final Table

2009-04-01T01:15:00.000-07:00

Final Table action during the Poker Face March 2009 Tournament:

Another one bites the dust, yes? And Chickoy eliminates another one.

Chester Goes All in at the Final Table

2009-03-26T01:47:00.000-07:00

Final Table action during the Poker Face March 2009 Tournament:

Poker Face March 2009 Bubble Time

2009-03-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

Bubble Time of the Poker Face March 2009 Tournament held last March 15, 2009 at the Metro Card Club Davao.

The 11th to 20th placers:

11th place - RANDELL
12th place - CHRIS TIETRICH
13th place - TATA ALMADEN
14th place - TOMMY ESCAÑO
15th place - PAOLO PAGUNTALAN
16th place - DANNY CLARKE
17th place - CESAR PABILLO
18th place - HENRY NUCUM
19th place - AJONG DE GUZMAN
20th place - ARTHUR GARCIA

CONGRATULATIONS!

Note: Sina Andrei, Maggie and Jib yung makukulit mag-comment sa video. :P

Nate Goes All In vs Chickoy

2009-03-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

Early round of the Poker Face March 2009 Tournament held last March 15, 2009 at the Metro Card Club Davao. Guaranteed Pot of P300,000. Visit metrocardclubdavao.com and davaopoker.blogspot.com for more news, photos and videos of poker action in Davao City.

Poker Face January 2009

2009-01-27T05:54:00.000-08:00

Champion: PAUL JEFFREY "PAXEL" KABIGTING

Runner up: Jib Garcia

3rd Place: Nate Troia
4th Place: Maui Abella, Poker Face November 2008 Champion
5th Place: Alex Cruz of General Santos City

6th Place: Carol Smith
7th Place: Dodot Hilario
8th Place: Yolly Matalam of Cotabato
9th Place: Bong Lu, Tournament Specialist
10th Place: Jan Carlo Bacar

Photos by Karloz Alba. Video by Ria Jose.

Pares-pares sa Lunes

2009-01-19T00:43:00.000-08:00

Want to try out playing in a tournament but you are not confident enough to try it alone? Grab a poker friend to be your partner and join Metro Card Club Davao's Pares-Pares sa Lunes Tournament.

Pares-pares sa Lunes fixed doubles is happens every Monday, beginning at 6 pm, at the Metro Card Club Davao. Players work in tandems. One player plays during Rounds 1, 3, 5, and every odd-numbered round, while the partner plays during Rounds 2, 4, 6, and every even-numbered round. Each player plays independently from their partner, and they cannot consult each other within the round or during a deal.

There is, however, a one minute break after each round, during which they can confer with one another regarding strategy and other matters.

So bring a friend, a lover, a partner, whatever and try your luck and skills. Maybe you're better playing together than against each other. :)

See you later! ;)

Poker Face Tournament for January 2009

2009-01-13T00:47:00.000-08:00

Kirby Te... Maurice Abella... Michael Te... these three by skill and luck are now immortalized on the wall of the Metro Card Club Davao as the first three monthly Poker Face Tournament winners.

The famous Kirby, perennial tournament final table player and winner, was the first ever champion having conquered the Poker Face Tournament last October 2008. My cousin Mau Abella, having won a free seat during a satellite tournament, with no rebuys, and no add ons, won last November 2008. And to close the year, 25 year old Michael, cousin of Kirby, surprised everybody when he beat older and more experienced players last December.

This year, who will be the first to conquer the wall of fame? Will he or she do it with skill or with luck? Maybe both? This month's Poker Face tournament will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009. You may join by buying in 10,000 worth of chips for P2,000 (plus P500 registration fee) or you may join the satellite tournaments to win a free seat. Satellite tournaments are held starting at 7 pm, nightly until Saturday. Ladies may also join the free roll satellite tournaments every Wednesday to get a free seat.

See you on sunday! :)

Poker Girl

2009-01-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

I'm Ria, professional blogger slash wedding coordinator slash speech writer by day and poker enthusiast by night. I am by no means a professional poker player by I frequent the Metro Card Club to play tournaments and cash games.

This blog has been created to chronicle my experiences as a poker fan and player. ;)

There's not much here yet so I leave you with my favorite song of the moment:

Metro Card Club Davao Tournaments

2009-01-07T02:21:00.000-08:00

Here is the schedule for the weekly tournaments of the Metro Card Club Davao...

Pares-pares sa Lunes
Mondays, 5:30 pm
P500 buy in, P100 registration fee
Players work in pairs. One player plays in the odd numbered rounds while the other plays in the even numbered rounds.

Metro Doble Panalo
Tuesdays to Thursdays, 5:30 pm
P200 buy in, P50 registration fee
House doubles the pot generated

Poker Face Satellite Tournaments
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 pm
P200 buy in, P50 registration fee
Table winner gets a free seat for the Poker Face Monthly Tournament

Ladies Night Free Roll Tournament
Wednesdays, 7 pm
FREE for the ladies only
Top 3 players gets free seats for the Poker Face Monthly Tournament

Metro Sabado
Saturdays, 3 pm
P500 buy in, P100 registration fee
P50,000 guaranteed pot