Haq Edges Presley for Overall Lead at Downstream After Day 1b/c
Friday nights at RunGood Poker Series events are a mere appetizer before the two-course meal served on Saturdays, and it was Hasan Haq emerging with the biggest stack after Day 1b/c at Downstream Casino in Joplin, Mo. He finished with 211,500 to book the overall lead heading into Day 2, although he barely edged out fellow Day 1c participant Terry Presley, who had 211,000.
In total, 30 players moved on to Sunday, with 18 of 74 runners surviving Day 1b and 12 of 59 making it through Day 1c. Bryan Phahurat shined brightest on Day 1b, bagging 172,500.
Presley looked to be the favorite to bag the lead for most of the day, but a huge pot in the final level of the night boosted Haq to the top. With blinds of 1,200/2,400/400, three players saw a 
flop, and Haq bet 10,000 after one player checked in front of him. Presley folded on the button, but Austin Peek called. Both players checked the 
, and Peek bet 24,700 on the 
river. Haq thought a bit and raised to 60,000, and Peek tanked a couple of minutes himself before calling, but he couldn't beat bottom set of twos.
Peek still managed to recover and bag 31,500.
John Heckenkamp (169,500), John Blanken (154,500), RunGood Pro Jonathan Gaviao (130,500), RunGood Pro Bernard Lee (96,000), Rodney Spriggs (80,000), RunGood Pro Julie Anna Cornelius (41,000), and Eric Bunch (39,500) also punched tickets to Day 2 by bagging in one of the two Saturday flights.
Some players taking shots and bricking included RunGood Pros Bryan Campanello, Justin Gardenhire, and Ross Bybee, as well as RunGood Hard Rock Tulsa runner-up Rick Robbins and last year's runner-up here, Mike Tang.
Day 2 action kicks off at noon on Sunday, with 48 players set to take seats, but only one will emerge as champion and claim $25,522. All final table participants will score $2,000 Blaycation packages to the season-ending championship in New Orleans as well. Stay tuned for more live coverage on Day 2 to see who will book their trips.