Thrilla in Manila

[vikinghs]

So where do you go when you want to play a lot of live poker and don't live in Vegas?

If you are bankrolled like a Rockefeller or can borrow as much money as the US government then of course you just jump on a plane to Vegas, Monaco or Amsterdam and have a blast. Of course in Europe, you're probably going to spend all your money on hotels, expensive drinks and rude service.

Now, if you're not a poker millionaire, but enjoy a good game of "real" poker as opposed to the bore that is online, and you feel in the mood for some adventure and excitment in your vacation, then there might be a spot for you in the Far East city of Manila!

Manila, as you sure know, is the capital of the Phillipines, a number of towns grown together to create a hyper-metropolis of 15 million citizens.

As it happened, i found myself the last tre weeks in this crazy city, far in all meaning of the word, from the familiar experience of Thailand, Malaysia or even China.
Manila is not your home town, but don't despair, the city will grow on you as it did on me and many others!

Ok, you say, why should i travel across the globe to play poker in a thirld world country?

The answer: Why shouldn't you? Anything you wish for you can find in Manila or around it. Do you enjoy spending the days at one of the finest beaches in the world, with a cool San Mig beer in your hand? Then the island of Boracay is just one hour and 30$ away by plane!
Are you more inclined to urban exploration? How about underground [censored] fighting, shady shooting ranges with all imaginable guns or a visit to the shanty-town of Tondo. You might want to bring a bodyguard for the latter though!
You just want to get party, get drunk, get friendly with the local females? That too, maybe especially so, can be had in Manila. There's countless of bars in Manila. Hip places, back alley water holes, KTV's (that's a "hostess" bar for the not so knowing), Go-go Bars galore.
If you want to do nothing else than satisfy your earthly desires, the (in)famous city of Angeles is a busride away.

So with that settled, where do you play poker in Manila?
There's pokerrooms all about town, but you probably shouldnt drop into one of the local ones even if can find them.

The main venue to play is at the Pagcor Airport Casino, which host the largest and most games in the city.
There's daily and weekly tournaments ranging from rebuys of 300 Peso to freezeout tourneys with buyins of 30.000 Peso, sometimes even more.
Cash games are plenty going as low as 10/20 peso, thats somthing like 0.15/0.3 $ and all the way up to real high stakes.
The service here is great and the waitresses are pleasing both to talk to and look at!
There's an atmosphere of fun and banter in this pokerroom, and the level of play is loose as this is a casino that attracts gamblers as well as poker players.

The other venue in Manila is the Metro Card Room located at the Metrowalk Entertainment Complex. Go there a friday night to party with the young crowd of Manila.
The poker room itself has a distinct poker room feel! Unlike the Airport Casino poker is the only game played here. There's a weekly 75.000 Peso Guaranteed tournament each wednesday and even a freeroll of 20.000 Peso each Tuesday.
Cash game players need not to worry as there are games in the same limits as the Airport Casino every night.
The overall feeling is a lot more personal, with many more regulars and the crew and waitresses seem to greet you as a long lost friend each time you enter.
Overall thoughm, the games are tougher, and you might be the only westener there, any given night.
There's a bar upstairs if you need refrehments.

When you go to the Phillipines you will be surprised at how much your money will get you. All of the activities i mentioned above are well within reach of even a tight budget, and if you get lucky at the tables, thats just a bonus!

If you would like to know more about Manila i suggest you PM me for my website. website edited out by *TT*

See you at the tables!