![Philippines [PHL]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/ph.svg "Philippines [PHL]"){kind=small}
Marc Rivera is a professional poker player from the Philippines who has become one of the most successful and respected figures in Asian poker. Originally a civil engineer, Rivera left his career to pursue his passion for cards and eventually made history as one of the biggest winners the country has ever produced. He is best known for his legendary run in the Bahamas, where he proved that a local qualifier could compete against the world’s elite on the biggest stage imaginable.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Marc Rivera has total earnings of over $4.1 million. He currently holds the 2nd position on the Philippines All Time Money List. His career-defining victory occurred in January 2019 at the PSPC in the Bahamas, where he turned a Platinum Pass entry into a 3rd-place finish for a massive $2,168,000.
Throughout 2025, Rivera has continued to post elite results across the globe. In June 2025, he secured a victory at the ARIA High Roller Series in Las Vegas, taking down the $10,100 Pot Limit Omaha event for $133,200. He also found significant success back home, finishing 2nd in the Asia Pacific Poker Tour – APPT Manila PHP 250,000 High Roller for PHP 2,800,000 (∼$49,037) and winning a Single Day High Roller at the Philippine Poker Millions for PHP 1,290,000 (~$22,784). Additionally, he reached the final table of the WSOP Paradise 2024 GGMillion$ Championship, finishing 9th for $100,880.
Biography & Poker Background
Before he was a poker pro, Marc Rivera worked as a civil engineer. He first discovered poker around 2006 and spent over a decade as a regular in the Manila cash game scene, primarily focusing on Pot Limit Omaha. While he was well known locally, he rarely traveled for tournaments until his breakout year in 2018. Rivera is close friends with other Filipino poker stars like Mike Takayama and Lester Edoc , and he has often credited their mutual support for helping him reach the highest levels of the game. His transition from engineering to poker is a famous story in the Philippines, inspiring a new generation of local players to take the game seriously.
Play Style & Strategy
Rivera is known for a patient and highly observant approach. Because he spent so many years playing cash games, he has a deep understanding of post-flop play and is excellent at reading his opponents’ hand strength. He often describes himself as a “feel player” who relies on his intuition and experience rather than just strict mathematical formulas. At the table, he is usually very calm and polite, but he is capable of making massive, fearless folds or bold bluffs when the situation calls for it. His ability to stay composed under the pressure of a multi-million dollar final table in the Bahamas showed the world that he has the mental toughness of a world class professional.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Marc Rivera as he continues his 2026 season across Asia and the United States? You can track his latest tournament cashes and stats here:
Video Highlights:
