HomeThe Asian Poker Tour is proud to announce the soft launch of the APT Poker Room Manila on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the luxurious Winford Hotel and Casino.
APT CEO Jeff Mann with Winford Hotel & Caisno Chairman and CEO Atty. Alfonso Reyno Jr. at the APT Poker Room Manila
Situated within the Greater Chinatown area, the newly established partnership between the APT and the Winford offers many possibilities and advantages for the growth of poker in the country. Chairman & CEO of the Winford Hotel & Casino Atty. Alfonso Reyno Jr., expressed,
“Most of the casinos that have poker games are all in the South. We are the nearest from the North. We cater to Manila, especially to the Chinatown districts, and are also very close to Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Mecauayan, and Navotas. We are the only five star poker club that will be operating in this area. In terms of location, I will say we are opening up a new area for this sport. There are a lot of good players who have to travel over an hour just to get to the poker rooms but with the new room here, it will only take them 15-20 minutes. With that said, we chose APT because we wanted to partner with the best poker club. It is one of the leading poker clubs in the country and in the world.”
Initial Plans of the APT Poker Room Manila
The newly located APT Poker Room Manila is a marked improvement from its previous dugout. The room has its own private space and private entrance on the second floor of the casino. Inside, there are four APT custom-designed poker tables that will offer cash games starting at P25-P50 and up, and it is a non-smoking room.
While the APT brand has been known for its international caliber events, the new room will take on a different path. According to the Operations Manager of the APT Poker Room, Raymund Gamier,
“My initial plan is to get a feel of what works for the Winford. I want to create a poker room where the locals feel comfortable and see if the location can speak for itself. So for now, the room will focus on cash games and on building a new market of locals. We are the only poker room in the vicinity and neighboring areas so I am curious as to the market. This is what the Philippines needs, new players and a new market. Opening here may help create new players for the industry.”
Future Plans of the APT Poker Room Manila
The APT Poker Room Manila will also hold several events throughout the year. Gamier stated, “the Winford is open to providing extra space and tables for any small tournaments we may have. At most, it will be a weekend series with low-mid affordable buy-ins for the locals. Of course, when the APT has an event in the Philippines, we will have events to help feed it.”
The Winford Hotel and Casino
The newly erected five-star Winford Hotel and Casino is situated within the San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park, which once was a highly popular horse-racing track. The facilities radiate of elegance and superiority. From the grand pillars designed with Cebu capiz shells to the double-layered marbled white walls, the interiors are nothing short of excellence.
Reyno proudly voiced, “Modesty aside, I don’t think anyone will claim that the amenities in this hotel are inferior to any existing casino. This was designed and intended to be better than any existing hotel casino.”
The casino has two floors dedicated to the usual slot machines, table games, and betting counters for Off-Track-Betting, Cock-Fighting, and MegaSportsWorld sports betting. The third floor is for the VIPs and junkets while the fourth floor has 3 ballrooms that can accommodate up to 600 in capacity.
Other amenities include SM Kenko – a highly rated Japanese spa; there is also an elegantly designed heated pool with a wind tunnel for continuous air flow; a fully equipped fitness area; a bar called the Hippodrome where concert series and various entertainment events will be held; and several restaurants including the famous Choi Garden Fine Dining.
Apart from the casino, there are 128 hotel rooms with two types of accommodations offered, the Executive Suite with a King size bed and the Deluxe with either two Queen beds or one King bed at affordable prices.
To get to the Winford is quite easy. There are 24-hour public utilities; the LRT; and shuttle services offered to nearby and neighboring areas. For those who prefer to drive, there is ample parking. Reyno explained,
“We have 600 parking slots inside the hotel. We recognize that the problem of any casino player and any hotel guest including party guests is a secured parking lot. If you are inside playing, we ensure that you do not have to worry about your car so can concentrate on your enjoyment. If you want to go straight to the private room of the casino, there is also parking on the same floor. If more slots are needed, there is another 600 parking lots at SM just across the road.”
Grand Opening of the Winford and the APT Poker Room
The APT Poker Room Manila will be holding its official grand opening in unison with the Grand Opening launch of the Winford Hotel and Casino on Friday April 21, 2017. While the Winford will be providing a magnitude of entertainment, the poker room will host a two-day tournament held on April 21-22 to feed into the APT Championships Philippines event. There will be a P200,000 guaranteed prize pool with an added APT Championships Main Event seat awarded to the winner.
In the words of Gamier, “the APT Poker Room Manila will assuredly have the same old APT crew and APT staff that players are very comfortable and at home with. Despite the move, the room will continue to have that same APT vibe of community, ease, and familiarity.”
Location: The Winford Hotel and Casino is on MJC drive corner Consuelo st., San Lazaro Tourism and Business Park, Sta. Cruz, Manila.