Welcome To Day 1a of the 2022 RGPS Council Bluffs Contenders $575 Main Event
After two west-coast events started off 2022 for the RunGood Poker Series, it's now time for the "Contenders" tour to head back to its Midwest roots. Three full days' worth of prelims and an afternoon of satellites have now played to their conclusion at Horseshoe Council Bluffs, and the $575 Main Event will be getting underway this evening at 7 p.m. local time as Day 1a marks the first of three starting flights.
Players receive 20,000 in chips to start play, with blinds beginning at 100/100 and increasing every 30 minutes on all Day 1 flights. A total of 12 levels will be played for the day, with all who remain at that time earning their way into Sunday's Day 2. Ten-minute breaks will occur at the completion of Levels 4 and 8, with registration closing after the second break upon the beginning of Level 9 (approx. 11:20 p.m.).
Whoever is unfortunate enough not to advance in tonight's flight will have two more chances on Saturday, which features a doubleheader with Day 1b starting at 11 a.m. and Day 1c at 7 p.m. From there, the field will combine on Sunday, February 20 at 11 a.m. local time to play down to a winner, with blinds increasing on Day 2 to 45 minutes and eventually to one hour in length to ensure plenty of play as the pay jumps increase.
Notables such as Brian "TheGoldeBlazer" Frenzel, Johnnie "JohnnieVIBES" Moreno, Ryan Phan, Jeff Grimes, Taylor Howard are only a few of those expected to be in action as play begins this evening, and RunGood Ambassadors Robert "Boston Rob" Mariano and brothers Blair and Grant Hinkle will also be seen in the room with their sights set on finding a Day 2 bag.
Per usual, PokerNews has you covered on live updates from the floor as all the action unfolds, with accompanying photos provided courtesy of RGPS Photographer Joe Garrett. Be sure to stick around for the fun.