(Who says poker can’t be fun?  This story, if you can call it one, appeared sometime in April 2010 on Pilipinas Poker Forum.  I was invited to play in a house game with my then new poker buddies who are members of Pilipinas Poker.  I was in the habit of capturing events as they are, but I also made sure that this will be fun.  My friends call this house game MetroVal [the biggest cardroom in town is called Metro Card Club in Pasig, City] as the games are held at Valenzuela.  The writing is very crude.  I took the liberty to minimally edit it.)

Hey, McG! Are you asking for updates about what happened last night? I’ll try to do my best because my experience in MetroVal was, well, uhm, err… EFFFINNGGGG DISORIENTING!!!!

You know me folks, I’m quite good at observing what’s happening at the tables. I even pride myself of having a photographic (much more pornographic) memory that I remember clearly what’s going on in the game. Add to that the melodrama I include when I write about the actions at the table. Well, last night, I was proven wrong.

I could remember the plays not one bit because we all can’t stop laughing. It was so surreal I felt my brain exploded because practically everyone was making a move with nothing.

Case number one: Sir BG. With a towering stack, BG was trying to bully everybody. Picture this. The blinds were 100-200 with all of us with deep starting stack. Every time it’s BG’s turn, he would tank, count his chips, and then bet out 20,000! Then he would say, “ang hirap magbilang eh, so yan na nga lang,” [it’s hard to count {bragging about his deep stack}] picking from his stack the four red chips valued at 5,000 a piece.

I almost wet my pants laughing when he went heads-up against Papajeks. This time BG bets four times the blind and Papajek re-raised. I can’t remember how much the re-raise was because as I’ve said, nothing registered in my brain last night save for the funny things that went down the entire time. You know what BG did? He re-re-raised! Papajek went all-in with As js and BG insta-called and shouted, “HULI KA!” [GOTCHA!] then showing his 2-4 offsuit!

I can’t remember what the cards were on the board except that BG hits his deuce, I think in the turn. Man! It’s like being in PokerStars only we’re playing it live!

Case number two: Sir Tiktak (Ricky). He would trash talk everyone, including Marvin’s eight year-old son. He busted me out when I was using SSS (it’s short stack strategy Arvy, not Social Security System). I had Kd 9d and the board was 2h 2d 9s. I was first to act so I shove realizing if I were to use the zone of M that I learned from reading DGreat’s thread, a number has to be invented. They say the Aztecs invented zero. My zone of M was numerically non-existent. And Tiktak called with Ah 9h. He had a good read that he was ahead and definitely a good call. Now comes the turn… Kh. Bammmm!!! I was already rejoicing like the choirs of angels when the river came… As! Basag ang mukha ko!!! [My face was shattered]

Case number three: ZZ. I think we should change his name to KK, not because he’s getting cowboys every time, but it’s because his the King of Katol [a mosquito repellent]. He plays like BG and once in position and gets the chance to build his stack, would bully everyone. And each time he makes a move and wins, BG would ask, “ilang rolyo ng katol na naman ba tinira mo?” [how many repellents have you inhaled?] and ZZ would eye him down and finish his bottle of San Mig Light in two gulps. I’m not exaggerating. He did that. In two gulps. He must have thought the beer was buko juice.

Case number four: Enemy of the State (Marvin). Well, for the most part, the enemy was extremely friendly. He prepared the food, the beer, everything. But when it came down to the game, he was back to his usual self. He limped his Big Slick almost every time and caught KK, I mean ZZ, many times. But the last time he did that with AK, ZZ raised insurmountably, and Marvin moved all-in. So drunk, ZZ called with J-10 off and guess what happened? I think you know. A jack came somewhere getting Marvin’s ass kicked by ZZ.

Case number five: Sir Infinite (Mar), Ivan, and Deejay. Of all the players, Sir Mar is the most composed. You can tell about a person with the way he carries himself all the time. And I would have to say, he’s very classy. Very reserved, would puff smoke from time to time, and played really tight the way he plays in our regular tourneys. He won with a very small two-pair because for some unexplainable reason, BG limped his AJ. He also get to kicked Tiktak’s ass thrice and again with two-pairs.

Now comes Ivan. He bluffed me all the way with nothing! I can’t trash talk the guy for two reasons: (1) I wasn’t on my turf; and (2) his one muscular arm is the size of my two legs combined. Do you expect me to say, “do it again and I’ll pummel you to bits and pieces?” Besides, he’s not Arvy. Papajeks. The same old Papajeks. Brought my favorite Brazo de Mercedes and kept myself full the entire time because I was the first to go bust. Kung tinitira ni ZZ ay katol, tinira ko naman yung Brazo!

Nyahahahahaha!!! Papajeks arrived late and once he sat down, he bluffed me! I had K7 off and hit my top pair on the flop and he was betting like WildPush and made me fold. Then he showed me his K4!!!

The ever reliable Deejay. What can I say? He played solidly the entire night, won the coveted satellite seat, and gave it to Papajeks. If I won last night, I would have done the same. I can’t play the tourney anyway because I’m watching Tears for Fears this Sunday. But Deejay has a more valid reason why he wouldn’t play. There’s a loss in his family and his father-in-law has is now with his Creator. Condolence Deejay.

These were some of the things that I can recall about last night. The food, the booze, the laughter and the rain! A potent mix if you want to go insane.

There are things that I’ve learn last night: (1) Super Tight is still the correct way of playing (I tried late in the game that’s why I survived a bit and minimized my losses. But it’s freakin’ boring if you’d play like that with these kinds of people); and (2) If you want to unlearn how to play poker, you should try MetroVal. It’s crazy you see.

Note: You have to be a member of MetroVal to play. You need to get a membership card or you should get invited. I’m one of the privileged few. We are also planning to have hazings for new members. We will write on your face using felt tip pen. Tapos papasuin ka namin ng piso sa noo as sign that you’re now a member of our fraternity. Many thanks for the invite guys!!! I had FUN!!!

It was a terrible thing for me to take this trip. I was panting all the way from the MRT station down to Julia Vargas Street and I thought I couldn’t make it on time. And I didn’t. The scheduled meet was 6 PM and my wristwatch said 6:45 PM. I was harried, but I don’t want to miss the food tasting bit. You heard it right. I was invited to attend the opening of a restaurant and food tasting is the biggest thing in my mind.

I’m quite excellent when it comes to food. The menu was running circles in my head. I was half starved. Who wouldn’t when you’re sardined inside the train during rush-hour, right? Then I was along Julia Vargas. Steer told me to meet him up in a café. He wasn’t there. He left together with the other invited guests. I felt panic. What now? I can’t miss all that food! And then my mobile rang. It was Steer. “Where the hell are you, man?” he said. “I’m at our rendezvous,” I said. “Go to Empire, second floor.”

Empire? What kind of restaurant would be named Empire? “Shucks! They must be serving decapitated heads, although eating virgins for sacrifice is not a sad thought,” I told myself. So I went as instructed.

I was welcomed by a guard with a smile doing 360 degrees. I asked him if there were folks inside and he said, “Nasa taas na po sila hinihintay kayo,” [They’re upstairs waiting for you]. What is this? A mob gathering and the godfather was upstairs waiting for the last member of the Cosa Nostra? I counted my fingers and they’re all intact. I know the Italian mob don’t cut your fingers off, Yakuzas do, although my brain was playing tricks on me that time.

When I reached the lobby, a lady with a beautiful face smiled at me. She asked if there was anything she can do. “You can do a lot of things for me, honey,” I told myself. I told her I was in for the food tasting bit. She looked surprised. “I’m gonna kill you, Steer.” And from the glass door I saw a very familiar figure. A figure in white. No, no. It’s not Jesus. POKERMAXX! He was addressing a couple of people whose mugs I know. Then it all made sense.

Who is POKERMAXX? Well, he was my teammate in a poker team tourney held in the now defunct Big Ace. His real name is Vic De Guzman. He won a couple of poker tourneys and big events if you must know. But I’ll stop here. I’ll let him do the talking…

Lem: Tell us something about yourself?

Vic: I’m a corporate person. I was COO of one of the largest real estate companies in the Philippines. Then I called it quits in 2007. After my retirement, I did two years consulting work for golf courses. I became a golf fanatic, well I still love the game, and I helped golf clubs handle their operations. You could say I have a great passion for it. This was from 2007 to 2009.

Lem: When you say help golf clubs run their operations, what do you mean by that?

Vic: I helped them increase their membership and I put up events to showcase what golf clubs have to offer their clients.

Lem: I didn’t know you played golf. I only knew you as a poker player. How did that happen?

Vic: I was already playing poker since 2000. It was a time when there were no legal card rooms yet. Carlo Aventejado held tournaments in different bars and it was called Poker Bar Tournaments. During its second season I became champion. It was in 2006.

Lem: So when did the big thing happen for you?

Vic: What do you mean?

Lem: When was the time that you know you will be doing this in a long time?

Vic: It was in 2009 when I won the Filipino Poker Tour. It was then that I got convinced that I have game.

Lem: What changed after that or were there changes in the first place?

Vic: It was a life changing experience. It’s not only winning the money. It’s about having the title, the prestige that comes with it. After that I was champion of the FPT Charity Tournament that was held at the Manila Bay Club which I won. Then there was the Manny Pacquiao Championship held at the Asia Poker Sports Club where I was third place. In the APPT Cebu in 2009, I was so close to the money.

Lem: Do you consider this a full time job?

Vic: No. I don’t consider this a full time career, but I don’t mind the romantic idea that it is. I was and still am a grinder. From corporate grind to grinding because of your passion.

Lem: You seem to be so passionate about the things that you do. But of course something’s got to give. So between poker and golf, what has more weight to you?

Vic: If there’s something I would regret, that would be giving up golf. I’ve been at it for years but when poker came along, it demanded more of my time. It has always been my thinking that if you want to be good at something you have to devote your time and energy and forget everything else.

Lem: Is golf and poker the same thing?

Vic: Pretty much. First, you must have dedication. Second, you’re playing against yourself. Third, in golf, you have to beat the course, while in poker, you have to beat the odds or make it your friend.

Lem: Okay, okay. I know nothing about golf. Can you tell me something about it?

Vic: I’ll give it to you in a nutshell. There are 18 holes in a golf course and there is an assigned par in each hole. A par is the number of shots you are allowed to take to beat the hole. That’s why when you hear the phrase, “playing par,” it means you’re playing even. When you’re under par, meaning you made shots into a hole below the maximum number of shots per hole, you beat the course. However, when you’re over par, that means the course had you beat.

Lem: How’s it different from poker?

Vic: In poker, you’re playing against fatigue, tilt, emotions, etc. You’re up against many different players who are changing by the hour and by the day. In golf, you’re up against the wind, the heat, and the rain. Here, aside the things I mentioned, your greatest opponent is the course.

Lem: How are they similar? I mean poker and golf?

Vic: At the end of the day, and in both areas, discipline and dedication determines the outcomes. However, poker is much exciting.

Lem: Why is that?

Vic: Poker evens the playing field. In golf, let’s say you’re up against Tiger Woods, your chances of winning is smaller. His years of experience, physical preparation, the perfect swings, become a big factor when compared to your prowess as an amateur player. In poker, it’s different. The randomness of the cards being distributed levels the playing field. You don’t know what cards you will be dealt with. Even if you’re up against Johnny Chan, you still have a fighting chance. I’m not saying Johnny Chan is not good. He is. He is a legend. But Johnny Chan can be beaten by anybody in a given day. In the long run, players will be dealt cards equally. Everybody will experience both the good and the bad.

Lem: How do you prepare for a game?

Vic: I read poker books and watch videos of poker matches and study them. Before a tourney starts, I stay away from cash games. I play cash games for entertainment, for leisure. You know? To pass away time. But for tourneys, I take them seriously.

Lem: If you are to give advice to newcomers, what would it be?

Vic: I’m not sure if I’m qualified to give advice. However, in any sport or discipline, dedication and heart are important. You can’t do things right if you’re half-hearted.

Lem: Any example of this whole-heartedness of yours?

Vic: You see, I’m very stubborn. When people say I can’t do things, I do it anyway. People told me I can’t play basketball. I’m not even 5’7”, but I ended up playing with the University of the Philippine’s varsity squad. I was told I won’t be able to Jet Ski because I can’t swim, but I made it to the Philippine team. People told me I’m no good with golf, but I won a championship. My family was witness to this. They know that if I want something, no one can stop me. No one can stop me from doing what I want.

Lem: Let’s talk about something else. What inspired you to get into the poker business?

Vic: Poker has always been my passion. I started one around 2009 but it didn’t work out, but I didn’t lose sight of my dream. I’ve seen the best details of it, for example the Metro Card Club, which has always been my inspiration, and I’ve seen the worst of it, too, especially when Pocket Ace went bankcrupt. The Pocket Ace experience changed everything for me. They held a tournament only to find out in the end that they don’t have enough funds to pay the winners. I went straight to PAGCOR to help the players get paid. That fuelled my poker passion some more. There are also people like Nick Galan and Neil Arce who continue to inspire me. Late in the same year, I met some people who eventually became my partners. This decision to start a card room is not only a business venture. I want to be part of helping build the poker community.

Lem: Why Empire?

Vic: You mean why the name?

Lem: Yeah.

Vic: Before converting this into a card room, this place was called Empire Super Club, a dance club. Many factors came into play and the business slid for reasons beyond the owners’ control. So when I met my partners, we experimented a bit and we’ve decided to keep the name. Empire still has a name recall and that’s important when doing business.

Lem: How is Empire different from the other card rooms?

Vic: This is a players’ card room. All the luxuries and amenities poker players dream of, they can get them here. I also have tie-ups with the Asia Poker Academy and we have welcomed them to make use of our venue as their land-based office. They can help players hone and improve their games through coaching. We have a great customer service and the comfort we will give players can’t be matched. Our card room has a very conducive environment and as you can see, the table spacings are remarkable. Players won’t feel they’re being squeezed inside. Thanks to the Metro Card Club, Pasig became a home for a critical mass of poker players.

Lem: Do you think you can pull it off?

Vic: Let me ask you this. Why is Henry Sy so successful? You want to know why? That’s because he successfully put Jollibee and McDo under one roof, inside one mall. Consumers will now have an easier choice which fastfood they want to have. The same thing goes for Pasig. Everything is here. The market is here. The Midas’ Touch benefited from it. Because of Metro’s success, Pasig became the poker capital of the Philippines. And our card room is another offering in the market. We are another alternative.

Lem: Any final words to poker aficionados?

Vic: I have three things for them. First, do your homework. Second, study your numbers. Third, if you’re passionate about something, go for it.

It’s no secret that I fell in love with the game of poker.  I’ve played more than a hundred thousand hands in a short span of two years.  In those years of play, blood were sweat, tears flowed, and countless learning were experienced. 

There are many schools of thought explaining why people play poker.  For some, it’s a source of livelihood.  For most, it’s a time for relaxation, a form of outlet.  In my case, it’s an avenue for control.

I’ve been knocked out many times in many aspects of my life, much less in poker.  I wouldn’t even bother naming them one by one.  Friends who are dear to me know what they are.  However, when I was introduced to this simple, yet complex sport, I began to regain my bearing, though ever so slowly.

It was a rough road.  A tough road.  Bad beats here and there, outdrawn almost 80 percent of the time, and some dimwit chasing his draws and hitting them while my hand that was strong at the outset became only second best.

Some of my friends would always call my attention.  They say gambling is addicting and they don’t want me succumbing to it.  Then I’d say I’m not gambling and that I’m looking at it from a sports perspective.  But be it gambling or not (and this is like the chicken and egg debate) there’s something about the sport that would serve anyone some good.

There are many worth quotable quotes in poker.  You would hear someone say “I’m on tilt,” which is very expressive.  When someone is on tilt it only means that he is on the verge of losing his head as much as he’s losing all the chips in front of him.  He’s basically losing control.

Another is “card rush.”  That’s when a player, in successive deals, are dealt premium cards.  These cards are mathematically favored to win.  There are moments during the span of a four-hour game that a player is dealt Aces, Kings, Queens, etc.  They are hands that are likely to win unimproved. 

After card rush, you have “card dead.”  This is the opposite of card rush in which a player is dealt rags or trash hands.  For beginners, this is the worst form of hands to be dealt with.  But there are some players, the most experienced, love to play such hands.  For them, the strength of the hand is immaterial.  They play the man and not their cards.

This only goes to show that cards will be evenly distributed to all poker players in the long run.

Then you have “bad beats.”  These are the most trying scenarios in a poker game in which a winning hand suddenly loses during showdown because somebody else’s hand improved in the end.  Many a player would go on tilt after a series of bad beats.  They could no longer handle the swings and eventually lose on every turn.

But my favorite of all is “chasing draws.”  These are moments when additional cards are most likely to improve your position in the game.  What is seemingly a losing hand could turn out a winner if you get that one card in the next rub.  It’s the hardest play in the game and it would cost you a lot of money.  However, it’s also the moment in which the steel of a player is tested, how gutsy he is, and how much resolve he has just to win.

So much come into play when you’re chasing your draws.  As a poker player, you need to consider many factors.  How much did the other player bets? Has he been playing tight or loose?  Is he aggressive or passive?  Are the pot odds in your favor?  What about the implied odds?  Is your expected value good enough for you to make a call?

For non-poker players, these are all trivial.  Who cares about these things anyway except poker players, right?

This may be trivial but these things also resemble many others in real life.

Let’s look at a couple of them.  Have you ever experienced moments in your life when you feel everything is going right and then all of a sudden everything crumbles?  Like you planned something for an entire week then the weather just didn’t back you up?

How about those days when you’re doing everything you can to make things work out, say pleasing a disillusioned partner, hoping you’d keep the romance alive?  In these situations you can’t help but pray to the gods for them to keep aflame a dwindling fire of hope.

Or in business.  You see powerful multinationals wreaking havoc by dumping its cheap goods into a local economy.  Infant industries can’t do much about it except, on occasions, stand their ground and keep up a good fight.  The small ones usually die out in the process for lack of capital and technology.  It happens at a poker table too.  Those with deep stacks can keep bullying those with shorter chip counts.  What can you possibly do in situations like this?  Absolutely nothing, save the fact that you need to be dealt with a strong hand at least once or twice.  Or, just like what you’ve learned in primary school, you stand up to bullies even if you go home with your face crisscrossing from many directions.

Regardless of our standing in life, we go tilt, we get hit by bad beats, we get outdrawn, and we feel like we have reached the end of days.  Those were moments when we feel like giving up and we want to call it quits.

Just the same, we need to keep chasing our draws.  It’s bad advise in poker to chase draws but sometimes you just have to do it.  You need to run after your draws from time to time telling yourself that you are keeping up.  Of course you’ll tumble down time and again.  You’ll get scratched, you’ll get hit, you’ll get beat.  But you just can’t give up.  Especially in poker.  And especially in life.

Just play the cards you’re dealt.