Johns Bags Big Chip Lead in Day 1a of the RGPS $600 Main Event in Tunica

Day 1a of the $600 Main Event for the RunGood Poker Series has wrapped up at Horseshoe Tunica, drawing 146 entrants, with 18 players making the money and bagging for Day 2. Michael Johns emerged as the chip leader, finishing the night with an impressive 840,000 in chips.

Johns, fresh off winning his sixth RGPS ring just one night ago in the Tag Team event, is looking to add to his collection after bagging a sizable chip lead. A RGPS regular, Johns is just shy of $200,000 in career tournament earnings, according to Hendon Mob. Sitting second in chips is Matthew Higgins (583,000), an accomplished player with over $2 million in poker earnings, while LaShun Wallace rounds out the top three, securing 496,000 for Day 2.

Top 10 Chip Counts from Day 1a

Place	Player	Country	Chip Count
1	Michael Johns	United States	840,000
2	Matt Higgins	United States	583,000
3	LaShun Wallace	United States	496,000
4	Mark Lafata	United States	325,000
5	Adam Watson	United States	266,000
6	Maggie Fox	United States	260,000
7	Justin Kelley	United States	235,000
8	Ryan Garren	United States	214,000
9	Aaron McIntosh	United States	206,000
10	Mike Cordell	United States	168,000

Several RGPS ambassadors took their shot in the field, including defending Tunica Main Event champion Preston McEwen. However, McEwen was unable to advance to Day 2 after losing the majority of his stack when he flopped a set of deuces, only to see his opponent turn a flush and put him on the brink of elimination. Fellow ambassadors Cody Stanford, Caitlin Comeskey, and Michael Sanders also competed in Day 1a, but had a similar fate as McEwen, as they were unable to secure a bag. They’ll have another chance to make Day 2 as they return tomorrow for the remaining Day 1 flights.

The 18 remaining players secured a spot in the money and advanced to Day 2 after a dramatic hand on the stone bubble, courtesy of Matt Higgins and his pocket kings. Higgins opened from the hijack before the player on the button moved all in with king-queen for nearly 200,000 chips, despite several shorter stacks still in play. When the board ran out, Higgins’ cowboys held up, bursting the bubble and bringing Day 1a to a close as the remaining players bagged their chips for the night.

Two final Day 1 flights are set to take place on Saturday March 15. Players will start the event with 30,000 chips, playing 30-minute levels during Day 1 flights before levels increase to 40 minutes on Day 2. Blinds will begin at 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante. There will be a 15-minute break after every four levels of play.

This event features unlimited reentries, with late registration open until the start of Level 9. Play will continue until only 12.5% of the field remains, at which point players will reach the money, bag their chips, and return for Day 2.