Risky moves and fierce showdowns ruled the October weekend as players gathered for High Stakes 2025, held at the East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall from October 3–5.
Unlike All ABOARD Expo, this event put a spotlight on heavier, competitive games, the kind that reward patience, cunning, and a well-timed bluff. And the stakes? Literally high. The grand prize: a steak dinner from Wolfgang’s Steakhouse worth ₱15,000. (Wow!)
I joined the event to check out the new games (and lowkey to chase those gold cards), and what struck me most was the atmosphere. The tension, the cheering, and the quiet focus of players locked in battle, all while still being welcoming enough for newcomers. I even brought non-gamer friends who left the event curious, hooked, and maybe a little competitive themselves.
Eyes on the Prize
It felt like a fever dream with how quickly the weekend flew by, from practice sessions to nail-biting finals. I saw friends like Josh competing, and others like Patrick and Taj now stepping up as tournament organizers. I also met new faces: Anton, Justin, Mark, Miggy, and Wes, all proving that High Stakes was as much about community as it was about competition.
Aside from the prestige (and the steak), winners took home exclusive loot and prizes from top publishers. But what really caught everyone’s attention were the gold cards - collectible rewards you earn by winning featured games.
Each gold card brought players closer to claiming a brand-new board game, either through their own victories or through teamwork in titles like Bomb Busters and The Gang. That mechanic added a whole new layer of excitement. Every match felt like a step closer to treasure.
Chasing the Waves with Monopoly: Beaches of the Philippines
The first thing that greeted us was impossible to miss, a giant version of Monopoly: Beaches of the Philippines.
Finally, we have a Monopoly edition that celebrates our islands, featuring 22 of the most stunning beaches across the country. From the powdery sands of Boracay’s White Beach to the turquoise waters of Siargao, this edition brings paradise right to the tabletop.
Everyone was taking photos and I even tried my hand in recreating those viral “human-drone” Monopoly shots. It was raining outside, but inside, it felt like summer (when I'm with you, parang islang pantropiko).
For many of us, Monopoly was one of the first board games we ever played, right up there with Scrabble and Chess. It carries a mix of nostalgia and friendly rivalry. And this edition felt special: both a love letter to our islands and a great reminder that Monopoly is, at its heart, a game that brings families together.
You can own your slice of paradise now, get your copy of Monopoly: Beaches of the Philippines and start collecting those beach properties!
Featured Games at High Stakes 2025
High Stakes isn’t just about tournaments, it’s also where you discover the newest, most exciting tabletop titles. Here are some of the games that made their mark this year:
Gwent: The Legendary Card Game
A decade after its digital debut, Gwent: The Legendary Card Game finally comes to the physical tabletop, in collaboration with CD PROJEKT RED. Designed by Rafał Jaki and Damien Monnier, this official edition stays true to its Witcher 3: Wild Hunt roots while giving players something tactile to command.
In Gwent, two players face off using decks built from five factions : Northern Realms, Scoia’tael, Monsters, Skellige, and Nilfgaard. Each faction brings unique strengths, requiring players to bluff, manage resources, and choose their moments carefully. Win two out of three rounds, and victory is yours.
What I love most is how Gwent rewards restraint and foresight. You only play ten cards, but every move counts. And for Witcher fans, this is pure nostalgia, the perfect blend of theme and strategy.
Ashes: Ascendancy
Ashes Ascendancy marks a new era for the Ashes series, both a standalone entry point and a continuation of Ashes Reborn. It introduces two new magic types and brings fresh challenges for solo and co-op players.
In this world, players become Phoenixborn, powerful demi-gods protecting Argaia through spellcraft and summoning.
I’ve known about Ashes for years but never really played it until now. This version feels like a fiery comeback. If you enjoy cooperative games like Marvel Champions or Arkham Horror: The Card Game, this will scratch that same strategic itch, with more magic and myth baked in.
Vale of Eternity: Curses
This was the one I was most excited for, a sneak peek before its official launch at Spiel Essen.
In Vale of Eternity: Curses, an ancient evil stirs beneath the vale, corrupting all living things. Players must decide whether to resist its power or embrace it for dark gain.
It reminds me of the corruption mechanic in Lords of Waterdeep: Skullport. Stronger cards come at a cost, but clever players can use cleansing cards to shed their curses and reap even greater rewards. The push-and-pull of temptation versus consequence makes every turn a delicious moral struggle.
The Gang: The Jokers & More
And finally, The Gang: The Jokers & More. This is where I finally broke my losing streak (Thanks Anton and Wes for being the best gang!).
In this cooperative twist on Texas Hold’em, players bet on how strong their hand will be, then try to make that prediction come true. The tension builds as cards are revealed, and if everyone reads the table right, the crew cracks open the vault. Trip the alarm three times, though, and it’s game over.
The Jokers & More expansion adds new rules and wildcards that crank up the fun even higher. My friend Lester, a board game newbie, fell in love with this one instantly.
The Rise of New Champions
A tabletop weekend isn’t complete without a little friendly competition. At High Stakes, the air was thick with excitement and the clatter of dice. Players took their seats to prove their mettle. Every match became a story of strategy, luck, and a bit of heart-pounding suspense.
The event lineup featured a trio of fan favorites: Summoner Wars, Dice Throne, and Unmatched, each one a test of skill, wits, and endurance. More than bragging rights were on the line. The winners would secure their spot in the semi-finals of the upcoming Nationals at All aBOARD Expo 2026.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, October 4
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Summoner Wars Tournament – 11 AM
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Dice Throne Tournament – 3 PM
Sunday, October 5
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Unmatched Tournament – 11 AM
Powerful Mastery Unleashed at the Summoner Wars Tournament
Summoner Wars brought out the tacticians and summoners ready to command the battlefield. Each duel was a clash of cunning, strategy, and spellcraft. By the end, Rayzon stood tall, mastering his deck and summoning victory against tough competition.
Champion: Rayzon
2nd Place: Anton
3rd Place: Wesly
Jack Rolls Closer to Glory: Dice Throne Tournament
In the world of Dice Throne, every roll can turn the tide of battle. The competition was fierce, but Jack managed to keep his cool, timing his attacks with precision and securing the crown. With Nationals on the horizon, we can’t wait to see if he rolls his way to another win.
Champion: Jack
2nd Place: Lady Raizza
3rd Place: Meg
The Final Showdown: Russel’s Unmatched Victory
The Unmatched Tournament was pure theater. Every move between Drew and Russel had the crowd holding their breath. Their duel was tight, tactical, and tense, until Russel landed the final blow to claim the title.
Champion: Russel
2nd Place: Drew
3rd Place: Onie
A Weekend Worth Remembering
The weekend proved that the local board game scene is alive, thriving, and more competitive than ever. Between the laughter, the cheers, and the strategic showdowns, one thing became clear: High Stakes is a mid-year celebration for the tabletop community: a place to discover new games, reconnect with friends, and challenge the best of the best in 1v1 battles.
Here’s to the champions who rose to the occasion and to everyone gearing up for All aBOARD Expo 2026. See you there, ready to roll, draft, and duel your way to glory.
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
