Lewis Dominates To Lead Day 1a Of The RunGood Poker Series Joplin Main Event
The RunGood Poker Series Checkpoint $600 Main Event at Downstream Resort and Casino outside of Joplin, Missouri, concluded its first of four flights today. A total of 108 players came out to get a piece of the $100,000 guaranteed prizepool, with only 13 players able to secure a bag. Those 13 survivors will return on Sunday, April 16th to play for the ring.
Leading the way is Jael Lewis who bagged up (680,000) at the end of the day. Lewis found herself winning a massive hand in the first level when her kings beat two players kings and from that point on, she never lost the chip lead in the tournament. The RGPS ring winner is no stranger to winning in tournaments, as her lifetime earnings clear $60,000 on Hendon Mob, but a deep RGPS Main Event run, would fit nicely into her already existing list of accolades.
Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jael Lewis | 680,000 |
| 2 | Brandon Wagner | 544,000 |
| 3 | Jesse Jones | 399,000 |
| 4 | Brant Jolly | 300,000 |
| 5 | Mark Martin | 172,000 |
| 6 | Jackson Holtgraves | 161,000 |
| 7 | Michael Miller | 158,000 |
| 8 | Kevin Strunk | 154,000 |
| 9 | Michael Kennedy | 152,000 |
| 10 | Sarah Renko | 149,000 |
Lewis will have a hard worn path in front of her as a few notables found themselves alive at the end of the night with her. Players like Brandon Wagner (544,000), Jesse Jones (399,000), Brant Jolly (300,000), Michael Miller (158,000), Sarah Renko (149,000), and Jeffrey Copeland (121,000) all are looking for a place in RGPS history. For former RGPS Joplin Champion Mark Martin (172,000), it will be for a second title at this very stop, a feat accomplished only by one player in RGPS history.
Fortune didn’t favor all, as many players like Daniel Lowery, Preston McEwen, Brian Frenzel, Joey Gargiulo, Ashley “PokerFaceAsh” Frank, and WSOP bracelet winner Grant Hinkle could not find their way to a bag despite their best efforts. Players will have ample opportunity to fire again on the following two days of flights.
Play ended with 10:02 left on the clock in level 15 with blinds at 8,000/16,000 with a 16,000 big blind ante, meaning that Day 2 players(who are already guaranteed a min cash) will return at this time barring another flight ending earlier than this one. Stay tuned for all updates regarding The RunGood Poker Series Joplin Main Event.