JC: The Best Poker Dealer in the Philippines

　Photo by SOMUCHPOKER

We interviewed a poker dealer in Manila, Philippines.

Nickname : JC / MONYO

Current Workplace :

PokerStarsLive - MANILA

( Event Dealer )

🎙️How many years have you been a dealer?

♠︎You know, that's a good question!..

I started dealing poker back in 2008. By the first quarter of 2009, I was promoted to Floor Supervisor, and before the year even finished, I became a Floor Manager. Not bad for someone who started just pitching cards, right?

After that, I was hired by another poker room as an Operations Manager. Then I decided to try something different—I became a professional poker player for about two years (around 2010 to 2012). Let’s just say… I learned a lot about the game, life, and how painful bad beats can be.

One day, a poker room owner approached me and said he needed a Head Floor Manager and when he ask people "Who is the right person for the job?". Someone answered him that I am the right man for the job. Well, the task that needed to be done for this job is simple, who could make his poker room a “happy place” again—somewhere players could enjoy poker without feeling like they were being robbed and maybe even believe that life is still fair.

Now here’s the funny part.

At that time, my common-law wife was working there as a dealer. I still remember one night when she got home from work and exploded with frustration:

"Tangina!!!!… ayoko na talaga pumasok doon!!! Napaka-kupal talaga ni ____!, sobrang gulo!..kung saan may isda, lipat lang sila. ganito na lang palagi kong nararamdaman pag galing ako duty...Sobrang stress na ako! Wala man lang silang magawa!.Tangina talaga! Ayoko na!"..I needed to try new things for her to calm down. What happened next?....( censored )

So naturally… I took the job.

The next couple of months were… interesting. There were arguments, complaints, a few threats here and there, and a lot of headaches. But slowly, things changed. The room started feeling different. Players were smiling again. The tension was gone.

We finally did it—the poker room became a happy place again.

And my wife? Instead of coming home angry, she started walking home with me after work, smiling the whole way, holding my hand. That alone made everything worth it.

Time passed, and I went back to dealing poker tournaments and events around 2015 for less than a year, I think?. Then I decided to step away from poker completely to start a new career…

As a full-time dad.

For almost ten years, I stayed home raising my kids. Eventually, though, it was time to earn again—especially for my youngest daughter, who needs continuous therapy. So I asked some old friends, “Where can I find a job that’s not full-time but still pays well?”

And somehow… life brought me back to poker.

So when people ask me,

“How many years have you been dealing poker?”

I smile and say:

“Roughly… two years.” 

🎙️Why did you choose the profession of a poker dealer?

♠︎Well, you've just read my story...I did not choose poker dealing, poker dealing chose me!..hehhehe

🎙️Who is your favorite poker player?

♠︎Phil Ivey, 11 WSOP titles is good enough for me..

🎙️What do you expect/appreciate from poker players at the poker table?

♠︎Poker dealers usually don’t expect much from players—just a few simple things that make the game smooth and fair. When players do these, the whole table runs better and everyone has more fun. 

🎙️What is your dream for the future?

♠︎To see my kids grow with respect, to their selves and others. It's as simple as that....

And to win a WSOP bracelet...

I think 2024 WSOP Champion bagged

10 million USD that comes with the bracelet..

🎙️What was your most memorable or happiest moment while dealing?

♠︎To be honest, and this is no exaggeration, dealing poker is exhausting and demands intense focus. Every hand requires attention, patience, and precision. But no matter how tiring it gets, I always choose at that moment, my happiest moment at the table. Because the moment you lose that joy, the exhaustion takes over. That’s something I’ve learned not just in poker, but in life, when you do something with passion and happiness, you find the strength to keep going. But when the passion is gone, even the simplest task can feel heavy.

🎙️What is your one piece of advice for poker players?

♠︎Poker is supposed to be fun. Don't be the one who ruins the fun...

Best of luck to everyone!