The Chase Is On! RVS Cup Main Event Starts Today; Nikko Rivera Wins Pre-Event

After several days of RVS Cup pre-game action at Metro Card Club, the tournament everyone has been waiting for is finally here! The 2026 RVS Cup ₱10 Million Guaranteed Main Event kicks off today, November 11, launching another race for Metro’s most coveted title.

For Metro regulars, the RVS Cup needs little introduction. For newcomers, it is widely regarded as the country’s most anticipated homegrown poker event. It is an annual tradition that brings together the local poker community for its biggest showdown of the year and everyone is welcome to pull up a seat.

From its inaugural ₱5 million guarantee in 2014, the RVS Cup Main Event has grown into one of the richest homegrown poker championships in the country, with this year’s guarantee double that amount.

But beyond the prize money, there is another reason players keep coming back: the chance to make RVS Cup history.

Photo: Michael Manlapaz

The championship has produced winners of all types. In 2018, Marco Almerez took the crown to Davao for the first time.

In 2024, the RVS Cup’s 10th year anniversary, Lester Edoc became its first two-time champion, banking a massive ₱3.7 million. This remains the largest payout to date.

Last year, recreational player Michael Manlapaz stole the spotlight, conquering a 749-entry field to claim his first major title and nearly ₱1.5 million.

Expect these champions along with other past winners and finalists make a run for it as another championship gets underway.

RVS Cup Main Event Roll of Champions

Year	Champion
2014	Lester Edoc
2015	Richard Marquez
2016	Anacleto Quijano
2017	Christopher Chua
2018	Marco Almerez
2019	Jeffrey Calma
2021	Ian Brion
2022	Vamerdino Magsakay
2023	Edilberto Gopez
2024	Lester Edoc
2025	Michael Manlapaz

Will another established pro add the RVS Cup to their list of achievements? Can a former champion strike again? Or will another recreational player rise above the field for a life-changing payday?

Whoever gets there will first have to navigate the elimination stages before reaching the final table.

First Step: Conquer the Flights

The Main Event features six starting flights from November 11 to 14, with a ₱15,000 buy-in and 25,000 starting stack. Each flight plays down to approximately 14% of the field, with flight survivors already guaranteed a payout.

Second Step: ITM to Final Table

All survivors return for Day 2 on November 15 where they compete for a spot at the final two tables followed by the championship showdown on November 16.

Satellites to Main Event

Players can also take a shot at ₱3,300 satellites for a more affordable path into the Main Event.

Early 2026 RVS Cup Side Winners

Main Event aside, the 2026 RVS Cup festival kicked off its eleven-day run on November 6. Since then, several side events have found their champions.

Nikko Rivera Wins Pre-Event

Photo: Nikko Rivera

The RVS Cup opened with the Pre-Event 500K which drew 334 entries with 47 players earning a cut of of the ₱668,000 prize pool. Nikko Rivera took it down to turn his ₱2,200 buy-in into a very healthy wallet of ₱129,220.

John Tech Wins Mix NLH/PLO

Buy-in: ₱3,000
Entries: 82
Prize pool: ₱208,116

Noe Guiray Nuguit Makes His Mark at Metro Legends

Since its introduction into the Metro festival lineup this year, the Metro 50+ Legends Showdown has attracted plenty of attention as players aged 50 and above rub elbows for a fun-filled game of poker.

While it is free to enter, re-buy and re-entry has a small cost.

Rising above the field was Noe Nuguit to claim his first-ever live title and trophy.

Buy-in: Free
Guarantee: ₱50,000
Re-entry / Re-buy: ₱1,100 / ₱1,000
Entries: 193
Prize pool: ₱89,300