RunGood Poker Series Puts Up Big Numbers in 2019; Introduces New Theme for 2020
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For 2018, the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) won the Global Poker Award for “Mid-Major Tour/Circuit of the Year.” This past year they showed just why they deserved it as they hosted two very successful seasons that catered to more than 19,000 entrants and awarded over $5 million in prize money.
A Look Back at “Showbound” Season
The RGPS is known for its themed seasons and 2019 wasn’t any different. In the spring, the tour hosted “Showbound” stops, which qualified players for a special freeroll in which two of them got the opportunity to play on Poker After Dark on PokerGO.
Seats were awarded to anyone who captured an official RGPS tournament, be it the Main Event or a side event. Among those to win prelims throughout the season were Justin Gardenhire (RGPS Downstream PLO Mania for $4,068), Dan Martin (RGPS Horseshoe Tunica $185 Deepstack for $16,378), Julie Cornelius (RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa $135 Pro Bounty for $4,536), and both Heather Alcorn and Sean McCormack (RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa $160 Jack & Jill).
Here’s a look at all those who won Main Event titles during the “Showbound” season:
| Stop | Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs | $575 Main Event | 399 | $203,490 | Nick Burris | $44,767 |
| Downstream Casino | $575 Main Event | 372 | $186,000 | Kyle Kinder | $42,781 |
| Horseshoe Tunica | $575 Main Event | 495 | $284,625 | Yousef "Joe" Saleh | $32,000 |
| Horseshoe Bossier City | $575 Main Event | 464 | $232,000 | Stephen Hart | $36,157 |
| Harrah’s North Kansas City | $575 Main Event | 449 | $224,463 | Nam Phan | $42,428 |
| Hard Rock Tulsa | $675 Main Event | 319 | $191,400 | Blair Hinkle | $44,012 |
In the end, it was Clyde Lorance and Wadih Kaawar who claimed the $5,000 sit-n-go seats to Poker After Dark where they got to duke it out against poker pros like Maria Ho, Jamie Kerstetter, Chance Kornuth, and 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event champ Jamie Gold.
A Look Back at “Game 7” Season
For the fall, the RGPS introduced a “Game 7” theme where players were not only encouraged to wear sports jerseys, but all winners were also awarded a championship ring from Signature Rings.
Among the notables to capture rings were Emily Larson (RGPS Horseshoe Tunica $185 Deepstack for $12,000), Matt Stroud (RGPS Horseshoe Bossier City $135 Pro Bounty for $4,000), Sandra Main (RGPS Downstream $135 Pro Bounty for $5,018), Paul Strohm (RGPS Downstream $165 Double Stack Turbo for $2,330), Daniel Lowery (RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa $180 Deepstack for $15,492), and poker reporter Brent Harrington (RGPS Horseshoe Tunica $300 PLO for $6,838).
In addition, the RGPS also hosted the inaugural Poker Industry Championship, which took place in November at Hard Rock Tulsa. It was there that the aforementioned Harrington won the $135 8-Game Mizer for $1,132, while PokerNews’ own Chad Holloway took down the $330 Industry Championship for $2,250. Plans are in the works for the next Poker Industry Championship to take place next fall at a West Coast stop.
Here’s a look at all those who won Main Event titles during the “Game 7” season:
| Stop | Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CardPlayer Cruise | $340 Main Event | 209 | $60,819 | Blair Hinkle | $14,597 |
| Horseshoe Tunica | $575 Main Event | 632 | $316,000 | Tiffany Keathley | $48,796 |
| Grand Casino OKC | $575 Main Event | 313 | $156,500 | Blair Hinkle | $35,985 |
| Horseshoe Bossier City | $575 Main Event | 438 | $219,000 | Mykel Comroe | $48,110 |
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs | $575 Main Event | 328 | $164,000 | Derrick Contreras | $38,539 |
| Downstream Casino | $575 Main Event | 332 | $166,000 | Greg Jennings | $38,179 |
| Hard Rock Tulsa | $675 Main Event | 372 | $223,200 | Sam Washburn | $43,022 |
| Harrah’s North Kansas City | $575 Main Event | 482 | $241,003 | Jacob Seale | $40,963 |
What’s in Store for 2020
The RGPS has already announced its new season for 2020. Once again, RGPS is partnering with Poker Central to hold the “RGPS: All-Stars Presented by PokerGO,” which will bring players a one-of-a-kind event.
Throughout both the spring and fall seasons, the RGPS will award tournament seats to a 64-player capped event streamed from inside the PokerGO Studio at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Half the field will be comprised of 32 RGPS qualifiers while the other half will be invitees that include poker professionals, industry personalities, and celebrities.
"The brilliant minds at PokerGO and I went into the tank and came out with something magical."
Regarding the former, there will be two $550 seats for the Pro-am Event awarded each stop. The winner of each Main Event will get one, while the other will go to the Casino Champion Points winner.
“Following the success of Showbound earlier this year, we’re ready to raise the stakes and highlight more heroes from the RunGood Poker Series,” said Sam Simmons, president of Poker Central. “We’re excited to welcome ‘All-Stars’ from across the country to the PokerGO Studio to compete on poker’s greatest stage.”
RGPS President Tana Karn added: “Getting to send two players from the tour last year to be on ‘Poker After Dark’ was a dream experience. After wrapping up, my first thought was let’s share this ride with more. The brilliant minds at PokerGO and I went into the tank and came out with something magical. The stage is set for one heck of a party.”
Two new locations have been added to the schedule and mark the RGPS’ first foray out west. The tour is slated to visit both Jamul Casino in San Diego and Thunder Valley Resort in Sacramento.
RGPS 2020 Spring Events
| Dates | Venue | Stop |
|---|---|---|
| February 4-9 | Horseshoe Iowa | Council Bluffs, IA |
| February 18-23 | Jamul Casino | San Diego, CA |
| February 25 - March 1 | Downstream Casino | Joplin, MO |
| March 3 – 8 | Horseshoe Tunica | Tunica, MS |
| March 31 – April 5 | Horseshoe Bossier City | Bossier City, LA |
| April 21-26 | Harrah's North Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
| April 28 – May 3 | Hard Rock Tulsa | Tulsa, OK |
| June 9 - 14 | Grand Casino | Oklahoma City, OK |
