A Gathering of Gragarious Gentlemen

PokerstarsLive Manila

PokerStarsLive Manila, where men pit their wits against their peers on a stage of felt – hurling friendly invectives and clay missiles at their opponents.  The assailants dare their rivals to engage, but are more than content to see them flee.  Here, under the glamorous lights of a venue that dares to call itself a City of Dreams, a Gathering of Gregarious Gentlemen celebrate all the good things in life.

Bystanders marvel at the powerful presence of the affable association: More than thirty stately men – most of them standing six feet tall, and all of them giants in their own right – take their seats as the Tournament Director makes his announcement:

“Thirty seconds before the Jagus Poker League commences”

Like knights in the jousts of old, they look across the field at their fellow noblemen – with cards as their shields and a sharpened awareness as their swords.

This is the Jagus Poker League, and like the glorious full moon, it only happens once a month.

 

The operative word is not “Poker,” it is “JAGU,” and onlookers have wondered out loud at the meaning of the word.

Mahesh Mirpuri, the founder of the League, explains the essence of the word:  “There are really many interpretations to the word JAGU – for me it's happy go lucky.  It just means guys who want to have fun.”


This is not the first time Mahesh took on the role of community-fun-enabler.  “I have a basketball group called JBA which is Jagus Basketball Association…and Jagus Fantasy League which is our NBA fantasy basketball league.”

Nice Guys, Nasty Trash Talkers.

These other JAGU League counterparts have been around for more than five years.  They all align with the Mission of Mahesh:  for JAGUS to constantly get together to remember what life is about – fun, friends, family, fun with friends and family, and a whole bunch of other words that do not start with the letter f.

Like the word Poker – a game Mahesh has found to be a worthy transition from the physically punishing activity that basketball can be.

“I got the Inspiration to start JPL as I wanted a Tournament that was run very professionally and could be something our community could enjoy together,” recalls Mahesh. “My brother, who is part of a poker tournament that has been around for many years in Hong Kong, comes once a year to the Philippines to hold a game.  I was always the person that was helping them organize the game here, and my friend Manesh Mirchandani has helped as well.”

The JAGU Committee and Tournament Directors

Taking his cue from the success of his brother, Mahesh crafted a blueprint for what he wanted to do, and recognized that he could not do it alone.

“I approached Manesh as he is handling all of the back work of the casino and he is doing a heck of a job. Everything that is done via the casino is as smooth as silk because of him.”

Having on one side a partner who knew the gaming industry, Mahesh needed another to cover the side that would complete the experience.

“Rishi Mirani is one of the most organized people I have ever known, professional to the tee, Rishi has been making sure we all have awesome meals at every game.”

The initial trio of JAGUS mapped out the League’s objectives.  Rules were set, and events were scheduled.  The League was then populated with friends who would exemplify the JAGU spirit and help birth a tradition.

Kishore is a crowd favorite.

The result has surpassed all expectations.  The complexity and competitiveness of the game of poker melted away under the warmth of a small community simply enjoying each others’ company.

The bond forged in the monthly tilts proved to be so strong, it has given the entire group the confidence to take their game well into the future… even overseas.  The 2016 season is nearing its exciting conclusion, and plans have already been hatched for 2017.

“We started of the first year at 35 members,” says Mahesh, “and I look to grow that number to 45 in 2017.”

The JAGUs have committed to staging one game in Macau, opening up speculations of where they will be in the many more years to come.

“My dream is that this can cross even me,” Mahesh shares, “meaning if when the day comes that I leave the game of poker, someone will take the wheel and steer this train into the future.”

The secret to sustaining this is the JAGU spirit.  The ability to enjoy life in three-piece suits or shorts and rubber shoes.  Two key ingredients in the mix all times:  Camaraderie and Competition. 

Eat Together, Play Together, Live Together.

When put together, it is a beautiful thing to behold.  PEOPLE SHINE.

The cash prize and a beautiful glass trophy may be a shiny draw, but it is crystal clear that Prestige is paramount.  It takes eleven events to win a seat at the finale where one JAGU shines brightest as the year’s Champion.

People shine more when they have cool monickers – another JAGU feature that Mahesh insisted upon:  “We told all players to come in and give us their own nicknames.”

These nicknames are not just displayed in the Event write-ups or the League standings, they are evident at the venue – where drinks are served to JAGUS in glasses that bear their tags.

The Probinsyano

On the cusp of a Final Nine entry, Ravi “GOOD TIME” Gurnamal carries with him the reputation for bringing good times wherever he goes.

Finale contender Arvin “YEH MEN” Pessumal shouts “Yeh Men” whenever his unpredictable plays capture favorable results.

Ronnie “THE CLAW” Mohnani, who claws away your chips quietly, also contends for the trophy.

Amrit “THE PROBINSYANO” Gidwani, from Bacolod City, was the winner of the inaugural event in January 2016, and is one event away from determining his fate in – or out – of the finale.

Just like every JAGU Nickname has a backstory, every JAGU event is a story worth telling. It is a simple story about the celebration of a life worth living, and the camaraderie of a community worth growing.

The growing community of Jagus, with PokerStars Tournament Director Gil Alim.