Need help: Manila Poker room and hotel info

[simshi]

Hi guys, I am looking for:

1. 25/50, 50/100 NLHE or 25/50 PLO games in Manila
2. Somewhere opened 24 hours and SAFE to walk around outside anytime of day (if not tell me what times I shouldn't be walking)
3. Need a decent hotel (USD 30-50 per night) that is nearby (taxi ride away)
4. Located somewhere good for a tourist if I want to spend time to go sightseeing as well.

So far I know Metrowalk but it seems it is quite far from any hotels or tourist areas. Any other good places? Safety is a BIG ISSUE for me!

[simshi]

It seems Malate is a good area for a tourist to be staying at, am I right? Any good hotels that are not too expensive to recommend there? Also how far or how long would it take for a taxi ride from Malate to the Metro?

I envisage myself playing poker until the wee hours like 3-4am, it is safe to catch a taxi at the Metro at that time of night?

Also I will spend some time at the Manila airport. Is there a poker game there? or am I mistaken? Anyone tell me the directions please?

[welcoat]

In malate area, i recommend casa bocobo, 2,000 pesos net per nite weekly rate for their best rooms.
http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/index2.php?loc=location

24 hrs safe walking distance to pavillion waterfront hotel poker room, 20mins by cab to the nearby poker rooms, walking not advisable any time of day 500meters or more, may take 1 hour to metro at peak traffic time 9am-7pm.  manila poker rooms open late afternoons usually, peaking after 9pm.

near the airport is the airport casino filipino which has a poker room on second level.

within the casa bocobo area are 2x 7-11 , mcdo, chowking 24x7 operations.

metro manila philippines is the poker capital of asia!

[Maverick]

The Metro is surrounded by hotels within a 5 minute cab ride distance. The busy business center of Ortigas Center is alive 24/7, so safety won't be a problem.

In terms of playing, there's is NO WHERE ELSE to play except The Metro. 24/7 games, 20+ tables full every single night, maybe 12 to 15 10/20 tables with 4 to 5 tables of 25/50 and 1 to 2 tables of 50/100 every single day. 100/200 and 200/500/1000 auto-straddle is also regularly played there. We have ,indisp@Tably, the fastest dealers, most efficient staff, and the best facilities, and the best players in the country. Bars and restos surround the area, full security, and taxis lined up 24/7 to take you anywhere you want in Manila. 

Peak hours are from 3pm to about 3-4am, where the place is almost always literally PACKED. Tournaments everyday and night as well.

Try the Astoria Plaza hotel where you can get a one bedroom suite with kitchen and living room area for 70-80 USD per night. Here's a link to other hotels around the area. 

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=ortigas+center+hotels&fb=1&gl=ph&ei=xYrySsXsDMOSkQWqodSvAw&ved=0CDIQtgMwAw&hl=en&cd=1&geocode=FYxq3gAdjOk2Bw&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&hq=ortigas+center+hotels&hnear=Mandaluyong+City,+Philippines&ll=14.581839,121.056676&spn=0.019479,0.038581&z=15

If youre looking for the best poker, The Metro is the way to go. Players even leave millions in our cashier rather than take it to the bank.

See you at The Metro!

[bettingstation]

you can go at panpacific or hyatt hotel... theres a poker room there...

[Mark D.Hazzard]

During the day, Metro is around an hour away from Malate. Catching a cab from Metro even in the wee hours of the morning is not bad, and Malate will be 30 minutes away. Safe enough, I should say.

Nearest poker game to the airports are at Resorts World Manila across Terminal 3. 50/100 starts in the afternoons.

I would tend to disagree with sir welcoat that walking is not advisable any time of day if it's because of SAFETY ISSUES. Keep everything on you discreetly and you should be fine. Lots of tourists walk around the Malate Ermita area especially near the Robinsons Mall and the hotels. If it's because of heat and pollution, then yes, the daytime hours are hell for walking people.

[welcoat]

Trust me I have walked the stretch from Pavillion towards Hyatt towards Masters...(passing room 18, Players' Den and Asia Poker) at least once - I would not advise  it on our visitors.  The Champion of The 1st APPT Manila Cup 2007 James Honeybone tried to walk across Hyatt Malate to Pan Pacific at night 2 blocks away - approached by so many 'offerings' decided to get a cab especially with more than 200k pesos prize money with him even with a GIANT size physique.

Last month, we walked the distance (less than 1km) from Pavillion to the world famous LA cafe post midnight, again I would not advise it to a non-local - dropping suddenly into an ermita open pothole is not an experienced anybody crave for.
 
Day time, aside from the heat - the chances of meeting unwanted strangers is also higher...get a cab at least if you get cheated there is a upper limit and in case you need to beat the cab driver up it is one-on-one.

[Mark D.Hazzard]

Hmmmm... I guess if you're not much the backpacker type, then it would be a bit of a Third World adventure. But if your tolerance level has a high threshold, you might not mind so much.

[guma]

Dress like a thug and carry something in your pants that looks dangerous.

[welcoat]

Dress like a thug and carry something in your pants that looks dangerous.

I have a tip whenever walking out in the 'streets', walk fast and direct to your destination, IF YOU NOTICE ANY ONE WALKING AS FAST...BE CAREFUL AND GET READY!

[simshi]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies. I am of asian descent so I think I can blend in okay. However as a tourist, I might pull out my camera once in a while and that might give me away. Also I heard that I should wear my bad in the front. (dead giveaway for tourist right?)

The Metro seems like a great place to play poker, but it seems quite far away. Is it worth my while taking the LRT to the closest station? If yes, what is the closest station to the Metro? I plan to spend some time at the Salcedo Market (get off at Ayala station right?) How far is Metro from Ayala?

In Hong Kong, some cab drivers will give you grief for taking short trips because they waited so long, and only got a short fare. Same in Manila? I found a hotel in Malate, very near Robinson's. How far is it from Pan Pacific or some poker rooms? (walking or taxi?)

How should I dress? I lived in Malaysia a while and t-shirts and shorts and sandals are common. I don't want to over dress or dress like a tourist. But then do the poker rooms or casinos have dress codes?

Lastly, how far is Resorts World from the airport exactly? I just want to know how much time I need before I should leave the tables and head to check in. My flight out of Manila is around 830pm.

Thanks again!

[Mark D.Hazzard]

Not worth taking the LRT then MRT to Metro. The station is a good 4 city blocks away. Unless you like walking and daring to cross pedestrian walks during rush hour, I'd still suggest you take the cab.

Salcedo Market is FAR from Ayala Station! Unfortunately, sir, a lot of places that you should visit are quite a ways off from the nearest train stations. From Malate, you would spend less than 100 pesos and less than 20 minutes to get to Salcedo Market on a Saturday morning, which is the only day that it's open. (Or was it Sunday? I keep mixing up the Legazpi and Salcedo Markets).

From near Robinson's, Pan Pacific and Asia Poker and Hyatt Hotel and Casino are a block and a half walk. You'd spend more time in a cab, getting to them through traffic. They don't mind short fares. They prefer shorter fares because of the initial flagdown fare.

Dress comfortably. Most people aren't really dressed in shorts, but it's acceptable. I don't visit the casino much, so I don't know what they don't allow. Slippers aren't allowed, most likely. Don't dress flashy, or you'll attract a lot of unwanted attention.

RW is right across Terminal 3. It's a bit of a drive from the other Terminals. The others might be able to inform you what time there are enough players to open tables there. But I wouldn't recommend trying to make your check-in time from RW through potentially mad traffic at around that time. And as far as I know, only Metro really has tables running that early.

[11Finger]

Simshi, no dress code at the Metro. You can come in slippers and shorts if you want... For most casinos it's collared shirt and pants, resorts though allows tshirts...

[welcoat]

All poker rooms have no dress code, even MBC drop theirs i noted. RW, HYATT, WATERFRONT PAVILLION, ACF are within casino floor so PAGCOR implements dress codes, RW allows sandals though - so it seems to be most laxed.  From ROBINSON's ermita it is okay to walk daytime over to PAN PAC, HYATT or  MALATE SPORTS as it is within populated section. MASTERS is a bit risky if you passed cetain section especially straying to san andres market. WATERFRONT is not advisable if crossing certain dead areas near del pilar or mabini, safest is through OROSA behind the mall to UN ave.
MAKE SURE YOU CAMERA IS SECURELY ATTACHED TO BODY so it can'r be snatch or misplaced. night time walking is not advisable in the area especially alone or with any girl/s.

UNLESS YOU ARE FLYING CEBU PAC, ACF IS YOUR BEST OPTION BEFORE 830PM FLIGHT.  in any case, do not expect 3 tables even later afternoon if it is not the METRO.

[simshi]

Wow you guys respond really quitely. Thanks to Welcoat, I think I will stay at the Casa Bocobo. I will go to the Salcedo Market on Saturday and maybe check in to a hotel near the Metro and play in the Saturday tourneys.

Mark, when I meant taking the LRT to Ayala, I meant hopping onto a taxi from the station to Salcedo market. Is it worth my while? Does the LRT really save time? and money?

OFF TOPIC: any other places that I should go? So far I am set on going to:
- Binondo
- Intramuros
- Rizal park
- Baywalk
- Divisoria
- Salcedo Market
- Baclaran market & church (can I take the LRT there or still better off taking taxi?)
- Cafe Juanita

Thanks again!

[welcoat]

OFF TOPIC: any other places that I should go? So far I am set on going to:
- Binondo
- Intramuros
- Rizal park
- Baywalk
- Divisoria
- Salcedo Market
- Baclaran market & church (can I take the LRT there or still better off taking taxi?)
- Cafe Juanita

Thanks again!

MANILA DOWNTOWN 1 day TOUR
Skip (or light) breakfast, take cab to Binondo Church before ten am
walk along ONGPIN st chinatown, try the many different chinese food shops you fancy
chuan kee makimi, ongpin-nueva st
ling nam wanton parlor, t alonzo st
delicious resto, raon st
president resto, ongpin st
back to binondo church walk towards reina regente to 168 mall divisoria (or take exorbitantly priced Horse carriage 'kalesa'). take late lunch at their 3rd level food court!
if tired get 1 hour massage at emperor spa along soler st. before rush hour past 3pm take cab to intramuros, visit fort santiago, san agustin, mla cathedral and surroundings.
take cab(or kalesa) to nearby RIZAL park before walking back to hotel to clean up and rest before dinner.
i'm not sure original baywalk still alive, but i suggest take cab to mall of asia for the many choices of light diner and shopping. visit the moa baywalk at night and end up at MBC poker room if you are still not sleepy, hooters is next door.  if it is a wednesday passed by baclaran from moa on your way back by taxi to your hotel.  CAREFUL CAREFUL, this is one of most dangerous area aside from QUIAPO and DIVISORIA markets.

[simshi]

Wow Welcoat, thanks for your day trip suggestion.

I will be in Manila for about 5-6 days. If I do that, I would be out of stuff to do for the rest of my trip!

But your suggestion has me intrigued. - can walk from Binondo to Divisoria (so close?) - Emperor Spa sounds fun hahaha.

But mainly I wanted to know are there other places worth visiting other than those already on my list? Any must see places? Markets? Some special food stall or restaurant that I mustn't miss? Thanks.

[welcoat]

Divisoria market actually borders districts Binondo and Tondo, the 168 Mall (together with Tutuban mall, 888, Meisic etc) Complex in the L'Div area is the new trading hub of Philippines, and center of all traffic.  Tutuban Recto is closed to vehicular traffic, that means Recto St ends at J. Abad Santos St.  The 1 KM radius around 168 mall is heavy heavy traffic, can take a cab but speed is 2km per hour.  The Raon St area end of Binondo borders Sta Cruz and its famous church, which is nearby to the Quiapo church.  You would be surprise it is possible a lot of senior citizens still traverse quiapo-sta cruz-binondo-divisoria-tondo by foot daily.  These are areas only for the adventurous and walking is imperative, but since you wanted it....so no watches, jewelry, expensive phones and good walking shoes plus extra t-shirt and water - as manila summer hot hot hot now.

[Mark D.Hazzard]

But mainly I wanted to know are there other places worth visiting other than those already on my list? Any must see places? Markets? Some special food stall or restaurant that I mustn't miss? Thanks.

Hard to suggest everything that you CAN'T miss. Despite the state of the nation, there are still a lot of places that we are proud of.  Are you planning Cafe Juanita in Bonifacio Global City or Pasig? I'm partial to the one in Pasig.

You have the sights all covered, so I'd ask you what kind of cuisine and stuff you would be interested in. Supposedly the best rated resto in Manila (relative to all restos in Asia) is Aubergine in Global City. We have a lot of good Wagyu steak places. Food trip-wise, you've already covered the Salcedo market and Binondo.

Try walking along the Baywalk behind Mall of Asia, and catch a game of poker at Manila Bay Club while you're at it. Going to MOA, there's a nest of fresh seafood outdoor restos along Macapagal Highway where you can pick your preferred live seafood cuisine and have it cooked for you in the style you want.

[Mark D.Hazzard]

Mark, when I meant taking the LRT to Ayala, I meant hopping onto a taxi from the station to Salcedo market. Is it worth my while? Does the LRT really save time? and money?

If you're staying in Casa Bocobo, the nearest LRT station to you is Pedro Gil. I lived in the Malate area for 10 years as medical student and during my first few professional years. I still work in UP College of Medicine beside Robinson's Place. And I still hate walking to the LRT station along Pedro Gil. Thank God they opened a gate from the campus to almost right beside the station.

If you plan to take the trains to Salcedo Market, that would mean go to P. Gil or Quirino LRT Station, transfer trains to MRT on EDSA Station, get off Ayala, then taxi to Salcedo. IMHO, that's too much hassle. Take a cab. More expensive, but not by much since you will be taking a cab still from Ayala to Salcedo Market. You're going on a Saturday morning anyway, early morning if you plan to avoid the heat and still get choice picks, so you'll get there in no time.

[welcoat]

taxi, taxi and taxi - we have one of cheapest taxi rates in asia - only reason NOT to get cab is 1. rush hour you can't find any, and/or the taxi queue is long 2. traffic is heavy and moving snail's pace.
if you have budget and hate flagging, charter the cab 6 hours 1k pesos or less should take care of it. get trustworthy cab and driver in case you need to leave your stuff but not advisable, ride now pay later at end of day.

[simshi]

Hard to suggest everything that you CAN'T miss. Despite the state of the nation, there are still a lot of places that we are proud of.  Are you planning Cafe Juanita in Bonifacio Global City or Pasig? I'm partial to the one in Pasig.

You have the sights all covered, so I'd ask you what kind of cuisine and stuff you would be interested in. Supposedly the best rated resto in Manila (relative to all restos in Asia) is Aubergine in Global City. We have a lot of good Wagyu steak places. Food trip-wise, you've already covered the Salcedo market and Binondo.

Thanks Mark. I am planning to go to the one in Pasig. Do you know their operation hours? My idea is to go to Salcedo on a Saturday morning, hang about until i get hungry again and go to lunch at Juanita's then head to Metro for some yummy fish. hahah. or to feed the sharks.

as far as food, I love street food and i love to try anything exotic and local. wagyu sounds interesting if you can recommend one that is reasonably priced and nearby. I heard the Kamayan buffet at Robinson's is worth trying. I love pork.

As far as poker goes, I will definitely visit the Metro (does the traffic get better or worse on weekends?)
Manila Bay Club sounds cool, a bit like the poker rooms I go to regularly in Hong Kong. But MOA would still be quite far from my hotel right?
Manila Pavilion looks to be the closest, but how are the games like? Any good tourneys there?
I will definitely go to Pan Pacific and Hyatt, at least for a look, but ideally I want a soft game of 50/100 NLHE or 25/50 PLO.
I want to go to Masters and Malate Sports Club but the forum here is a bit outdated and I don't know how to find them.

[Mark D.Hazzard]

Juanita will be open for lunch, but I'm not sure about exact operating hours.

Wagyu, try Malcolm's. There's one in Global City at the G/F of Fairways near McKinley, behind Joey Pepperoni, and one along HV Dela Costa, near the corner of Salcedo. It's actually at the corner of a street that I can't recall right now.

The Kamayan buffet is ok. Suggest adding a little bit more to the fee to get buffets for all 3 restos (Kamayan, Saisaki, and Dad's).

For other food places, try checking out clickthecity.com.

Pavilion won't have tourneys.

From Bocobo street, walk away from the direction of Robinson's. Masters is at the other end, right at Remedios Circle. Smoking room, so bring a mask.

Malate Poker Sports is on Mabini St. From Bocobo, walk towards Robinson's, turn left on Alonzo Street, cross Adriatico, and you will hit MPSC on the corner of Alonzo and Mabini.

Masters is running a 12K bounty tourney for 200 on some days. No tourneys in MPSC.

I dont know how the action is these days in these two clubs. I wonder if the other members can chime in. 50/100 NLHE, Metro is your best bet.

[simshi]

Thanks again Mark. I read some reviews of Malcolm's though, doesn't seem that good, but their wagyu is certainly much cheaper than most. Aubergines seems a bit pricey though.

As for the poker rooms, I assume they have big signs in front of them? 

[PepeSmith]

Since you'll be in Cafe Juanita you might want to check out Charle's Grind and Grill it's in the same street.. Best burger I've tasted in the Philippines.. They grind the meat as you order it, Angus burger for 165php only... about 190 with the fries... You will fall in love with this burger, chug it down with a beer... I can realistically say that this is one of the best if not the best burger at least in Asia...

http://charliesgrindandgrill.com/