Building the first licensed poker club in the Dumaguete region (Philippines) – feedback welcome

Good evening,
First, I wish you the best of luck—you seem to have a solid approach. I'll share my perspective on the points you raised, though some may be more obvious than others.
For live MTT strategy, your proposal could incorporate multiple tournament formats, including double chances, add-ons, freezeouts, and others. As always, what actually works should be tested and refined using reliable data. I'd recommend mixing these formats and varying the buy-in levels as well.
There are several promotional opportunities you could leverage, such as offering special pricing for players who arrive within a specific timeframe during the early levels. You might also consider implementing chip leader prices toward the end of late registration to create additional incentives. I would dive deeper if some data crops up.

Generally speaking, live MTTs do not generate the main income—the real profit comes from cash games and gambling games. Your cash game offerings should align with the demographics of players frequenting the poker room.
For example, if most players are locals, I would implement leaderboards and focus on creating quality tables for everyone. If the majority are tourists, leaderboards become less crucial for opening additional tables.
One final note: having excellent staff(dealers[hands per hour]) that players genuinely enjoy interacting with would be absolutely crucial to success. I would love to come and visit one day.

I doubt there will be much media interest in a small club in the Philippines. Even the "big" poker shows that stream live games from a specific card room, such as Live at the Bike, are pretty small.

The #1 most important thing is liquidity. The legal rooms I've seen fail almost all borrowed from operating funds to cover an unexpected expense, thinking they'd be able to pay it right back and failed. This is even worse in underground games where operators extend credit to players. The very first time I go to cash out and the the game runner asks me to hold on to my chips until pays his marker, I know the game is about to die.

The next most important thing is consistency.

Tied for third are security and sustainability. By sustainability, I mean "you can shear a sheep many times, but butcher it only once." A lot of folks love super deep crazy games, like uncapped Big O, but that just destroys the fish way too quickly, and then the game dies.

Oh, I forgot one. Another reason I've seen "legal" rooms fail is that they're not as licensed as they thought they were. I've seen multiple small rooms just apply for a business license and some clerk gives it to them, but they don't actually have a gaming license. Amazingly, these rooms seem to operate for a couple of years before someone notices the discrepancy, but they never win their "but I have a license from the city" case.

So I have to admit that I really like your way of thinking. I genuinely appreciate constructive criticism when it’s justified, and I definitely see that in your comments.

Right now, I’m asking myself whether this truly has the potential I believe it does. I’m still very positive overall, but I’d like to hear your opinion once again.

As far as the gambling license is concerned, I’m fully up to date, and I would not pursue this project without the proper approval, licensing, or official consent. The licensing fees are also relatively low, since this would be strictly a poker club and not a gambling operation like a slot hall or a casino.

These costs could be covered solely through the club itself—with seven events per month—via rake, membership fees, and other regular income streams. Of course, it’s possible that I miscalculated something, but I believe my calculations are fairly solid.

But putting that aside for a moment—don’t you think that an official poker club, especially as the only one in a region with over one million people (Dumaguete City itself has over 100,000), has sufficient potential? I believe that with active marketing and a solid, well-curated member base, this could work out very well.Especially since only one license is issued per region, not multiple ones, which effectively creates a monopoly-like position. I have already had discussions with the Philippine gambling authority regarding this matter.

Additionally, the physical club is one aspect, while the media presence is another. If—purely theoretically—there is a strong and active community backing it, continuously promoting it and driving traffic, don’t you think this could really flourish?

Thanks again for your feedback so far. It gives me a lot to think about and pushes me to reflect even more deeply on the whole idea. If you want to join let me know, i imagine that you wont but based on your nice and friendly behavior i have to give you that option ! Thanks Bro !

I should also mention that I intend to feature the project much more heavily on the media side than you might be assuming. In other words, I’m planning to launch a YouTube channel starting in February, with content documenting the journey from zero to a fully established poker club.

I would publish my activities on a daily basis—even if it’s just sponsor inquiries that I’m writing and sending out by email. Essentially, it would be real-time content, building a community step by step as the project evolves.

I also have the personal advantage that I don’t need to become rich, nor am I driven by greed. I’m not a gambler either, which is why I’m open to sharing the revenue generated from the media side with the community via a holding structure. That’s the first point.

Secondly, I want to approach this in a forward-thinking and visionary way, very much aligned with the spirit of the times—for example through a “remote chair option.” This would allow community members to participate in live tournaments or live cash games remotely.

In practical terms, one seat at the table would be reserved for a remote player who joins via Discord. An on-site avatar would then execute the player’s decisions, clearly visible through live cameras.

I have a few more ideas in mind as well, but I just wanted to share this with you for now. Perhaps this changes your perspective on the media impact and potential reach when concepts like this are included.

I’m very much looking forward to further constructive criticism. Love to read from you ! !

Have you ever worked in a poker room as staff? Ever been a manager in one?

Jumping from poker player to founding a room is a huge leap.

Hey, thanks for your message.
Well, I’d say I have a bit of organizational talent. I’m meticulous, focused, and when I decide to do something, I know how to follow through and make it happen ,although, to be precise, my style is rather calm and more on the passive side.

I’m 42, and about 20 years ago a friend and I used to look for small local bars in different towns where we invited people to play poker once or twice a week. Some of them are still playing poker today.

So I’m confident that I understand the process, what really matters, and how to scale something like this from a small setup to a larger operation. Running and organizing a poker club itself isn’t something world-changing; the real challenge is keeping it running, continuously attracting new players, and offering members a solid and enjoyable program — which, in fact, is the smaller part of my overall plan.

I’m self-taught, learning by doing, and with good preparation and a solid plan, I don’t see this as something that could easily go wrong , provided the location and the demand are right, right?

I’m also writing here to find supporters. This isn’t meant to be a solo effort, but rather a kind of collective or “swarm intelligence” that helps turn the whole thing into a success.

I do have a more detailed project outline (google drive), but since it also touches on potential crowdfunding aspects, I won’t post or link it here out of respect for forum rules.
It’s only a semi-professional write-up of my own thoughts and ideas, mainly created to structure them for myself.
For now, I’m mainly interested in discussing the general concept and getting neutral feedback. If you want, i send it via DM ! dont want to act against the forum authoricy or any rules

Consider this: Would you invest in someone who said he was starting a business, and his experience in the business was the experience you have?

Because that's what you're doing.

I don’t know what your problem is. Just ask, ask about the location, the numbers, or the idea itself,but don’t make a fool of yourself, because I never talked about that at all. Neither about you personally nor about the previous comment in terms of an investment or investing.

Do you like to make assumptions about people without knowing them and jump to conclusions? I could also come up with all kinds of accusations about your person, but I’d rather not, I’ll leave that to people like you. You seem to have quite a bit to compensate for.

Nevertheless, I wish you much success in your life and a lot of joy in making your valuable comments. And to answer your question: I would first gather information, and if the project appeals to me, why not? People spend so much money on pointless nonsense anyway, so spending something on something with potential added value doesn’t really matter.

Think about or let it be

But anyway...https://www.youtube.com/@YoutubeCleverBe...

Just some thoughts ! 😀

Successful investors will tell you that you're investing not just in the idea, but the people. Any idiot can have an idea. But not everyone is capable of turning an idea into a business.

This thread reminds me of the numerous Kitchen Nightmares episodes of people who acquired or started a restaurant with zero experience, and failed spectacularly.

So, I don’t want to offend you ... successful investors, good ideas and all that aside ,but to me the biggest idiots are those who try to act super smart on the internet and then subtly let it slip that they watch stuff like “Nightmare Kitchens”.

Just drop it, bro. Please focus on other topics; I don’t want to ignore you.

Still, I wish you success . and maybe try doing something positive; who knows, it might actually influence or reflect positively in your real life.

Oh, so you can write after all . maybe reading will work better next time, because I told you that years ago I already organized and ran small poker tournaments and cash games together with a friend.

And even if that weren’t the case, there are autodidacts who, when they prepare properly, can turn ideas into reality perfectly well.

So now please keep your distance. You come across as pretty condescending for someone who can only afford a mid-range washing machine.

Which wouldn’t be a problem at all , we don’t even use one , I’m just saying. You’re the one who wants to come across as a businessman, but to me, you simply don’t.

You seem to enjoy using situations like this to show off and tell a bit of your life story, which honestly nobody here cares about, my friend.

Enjoy watching “Nightmare Kitchen.”

You can't even be honest with yourself. You are going to fail. You have no interest in criticism. You just want free consulting.

YES, OF COURSE I WANT FREE ADVICE , from people who offer constructive criticism, not from those who simply take out their bad day, their life frustration, or their arrogance on me.

I don’t know, but after more than 20 years you’ve been here, it feels like this is the perfect place for you to present yourself, to try to embody something you wish you were.

I, on the other hand, am in a forum about poker. I have an idea and I want to find people who have more knowledge and are willing to share it with me, so I can learn from them, take a thing or two from their experience, and be better prepared , just as was already evident in my initial replies from those who are genuinely honest and constructive.

Sorry bro about your life, but that’s not my problem.

mod: you guys are free to disagree, but please stop with the personal attacks on each other. Thanks.

I guess the "feedback welcome" wasn't really genuine.

Have you ever worked in a poker room as an employee? Have you ever been a manager in one?

The leap from poker player to founder of your own poker room is enormous.

– I answered that politely and seriously –

After that, things started to get strange, and your friend and colleague or like-minded partner, apparently you share the same mindset, attitude toward life, or circumstances. Subject to reservations, you seem to be the Nightmare Kitchen G’s.

Just think about it: Would you invest in someone who claims to be founding a company and whose business experience matches your own?

Because that is exactly what you are doing.

I never spoke of an investment, nor did I ask anyone to invest. And if someone wants feedback, it should be given in a civilized, friendly way, without reservations, and in a manner that encourages reflection, not simply in a discrediting, condescending way. As the saying goes: the way you shout into the forest is how it echoes back.

Your comment as well…

What’s the point? Do you think that achieves anything? Do you think it makes you a better person? I am simply ignoring both of you to avoid rule violations and truly profound insults.

So, so, I can’t ignore you because you’re an admin. You really couldn’t make this up ^^
Alright then. If I could, I would ignore you, but it fits the pattern and the overall picture. I don’t need to fawn over anyone or put up with insinuations and disrespect. Maybe that’s your way of doing things—certainly not here, since you’re trying to present yourself as something, but we know how people like that behave in real life. Anyway…

But to address your post explicitly: I think this is my mistake, i simply assumed a certain level of decency, good upbringing, and positive social interaction. In my next post and going forward, I will therefore add this explicitly,feedback welcome, but please be friendly and not rude or disrespectful.

Especially as an admin, it should have been clear to you from my first comments that the other commenter criticized my way of thinking, but did so with a certain level of decency and respect, which is why I returned the same to him.

But as the saying goes, people don’t value what they don’t know or how did that one go?

In this sense, I will also simply and deliberately ignore your future comments. It only shows what kind of personalities are behind this forum. !!! subject to reservations, with exceptions !!!

Here are Socrates' Three Sieves:

Before you speak, pass your words through three sieves:
1. The Sieve of TRUTH

"Are you absolutely certain that what you are about to tell me is true?"

2. The Sieve of GOODNESS

"Is what you are about to tell me something good?"

3. The Sieve of USEFULNESS

"Is what you want to tell me useful?"

Let you check the holes. Follow the white Rabbit.

Fair point.

Truth: I don’t know yet whether this idea will succeed ,that’s exactly why I’m here, to find out where it’s weak.

Good: I’m not looking to attack anyone personally. If my tone missed that, that’s on me.

Useful: Concrete feedback on legal, operational, or market risks is what helps me most.

I’m not here to judge motives or personalities — including my own. I’m here to have an idea critically examined and to learn from people who have been involved in poker longer than I have.

If we focus on concrete risks, legal questions, or operational weaknesses of the project, that’s where I see the greatest value of this forum. However, some people seem to take this personally or treat me as a target for their own insecurities or other negative traits. That’s not something I have to just accept, is it?

When someone says “any idiot can have an idea,” it effectively comes across as saying, “yes, you have an idea, but you’re an idiot.” Maybe some people would benefit from spending more time interacting with others in real life, direct social contact tends to build a sense of empathy and awareness of tone.

I’m happy to put tone aside and return to the substance of the discussion.