Poker Pro Brian Craig Wins RGPS Tulsa Main Event, Pockets $70,169 Prize Money

Title: Brian Craig's Thrilling Victory Kicks Off the 2025 RunGood Poker Series

Hey there, poker enthusiasts and drama junkies! The 2025 RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) has officially kicked off with a pulse-pounding Main Event victory, and it's none other than Kansas grinder, Brian Craig, who took home the coveted title and a whopping $70,169 in prize money. Let's dive into the exciting story of how it all went down.

Table of Contents

Toggle ## Brian Craig: A Black Ring Achiever

Imagine this: Out of 517 hopefuls, only 63 players cashed out, shattering the $361,900 prize pool guarantee. Every player on Day 2 dreamt of the brilliant black RGPS ring on their finger. Ten grueling hours later, Brian Craig was the one realizing that dream. Starting in fifteenth place, Craig kept a cool head and played consistently, leading the pack by the time the last table turned around. He never looked back.

Sweat and Strategy: Craig's Winning Secret

Craig was straightforward when asked about his approach during the rollercoaster day: "Patience was the key." He battled waves of luck – winning every hand for thirty minutes, then losing for an hour straight. Craig remained cool and collected through it all, his endurance pushed to the limit against Mike Travis, who entered the heads-up encounter with a significant lead. But Craig turned things around in less than an hour, securing the title with a calm and confident finish.

The Big Score of a Semi-Pro

For Craig, poker is less than a full-time job but more than a pastime. "I'm a semi-pro, heavy on the semi," he joked. His lifetime poker earnings before this victory amounted to $75,789. This win nearly doubled that total, providing Craig with the means to play more tournaments. Grinning, he said, "With this score, I can probably play more tournaments."

Final Table Fireworks

The final table was a battle of champions, filled with unforgettable moments that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Here's a quick rundown:

Heads-Up Drama

Craig and Travis engaged in a cinematic showdown. Despite Travis dominating the final table by eliminating most of the competition, Craig wasn't ready to throw in the towel. One crucial hand changed the script: Craig bluffed large on the river, forcing Travis to fold ace-king on an eight-high board. Craig never relinquished the lead since the pot swung his momentum to his advantage. Travis made a stealthy play with a six-two bluff on the final hand, but Craig's trip fours left no room for doubt, securing the title.

Day 2 Highlights

Craig faced off against a star-studded lineup of RGPS champions and experienced pros rather than a straightforward path to success. Among the many shattered dreams on Day 2 were past winners Todd Tucker, Iman Al-Saden, and Pete Petree.

Noteworthy Events:

Michael Perrone's pocket aces fell to Ryan Anderson's ace-king in a heartbreaking chill-out.
Ashley "PokerFace Ash" Frank finished 13th here and placed third in another event the same day with an impressive double cash.
Rosmel Munoz's set of fours was outmatched by Stone's top set of tens, resulting in a devastating elimination.

Brian Craig's Next Chapter

Brian Craig claimed his seat at the Dream Seat Invitational in November 2025, where he will compete for additional glory following this victory. For now, he's taking a well-deserved break before planning his next poker adventure. "The money is fantastic," Brian Craig said, but the title and the memories matter the most.

The Future of RGPS

The poker action continues as the RGPS heads to Jamul Casino in San Diego next month. Will we witness another electrifying upheaval? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned to our website; the RGPS journey is just beginning!

Enrichment Data:

Overall:While the provided search results don't explicitly mention Brian Craig or reference a specific Main Event victory linked to his name, here's a synthesis of upcoming 2025 RunGood Poker Series developments based on the latest schedules:

Key 2025 RGPS Events

Council Bluffs Mission (April 22–27): Featured $800 Main Event at Horseshoe Council Bluffs[2].
Graton Resort (Bay Area) (May 1–12):
$300,000 GTD Main Event and 18 total events[3].
Dream Seat Invitational qualifiers: Main Event winners earn automatic entries[3][5].
bestbet Jacksonville (April 24–May 4): $1,200 NLH Main Event among 10 tournaments[4].
Jamul Poker Open (May 12–18): Upcoming major stop listed in RGPS schedules[1].

Structural Developments

POY Race: The 2024/25 Player of the Year Race by GPI includes eligibility for promotions and freerolls[3].
Online Expansion: Mission RunGood Online Ring Series with a $12,400 WPT Package Freeroll[3].
Satellite Integration: Turbo satellites ($145 buy-ins) feed into Main Events at stops like Atlantis[5].

No specific details about rule changes or prize enhancements post-Craig’s victory are available in the provided data. The series continues its focus on multi-venue tournaments with escalating guarantees.

The 2025 RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) started with a significant win by Brian Craig, a Kansas grinder, in the Main Event, earning him a coveted black RGPS ring and $70,169 in prize money.
Out of 517 participants, only 63 players cashed out, shattering the $361,900 prize pool guarantee during the RGPS.
With a patient approach, Craig managed to maintain his lead throughout the tournament, defeating Mike Travis in the heads-up battle.
Craig's victory nearly doubled his lifetime poker earnings, adding $70,169 to his previously accumulated $75,789.
The final table included a star-studded lineup of RGPS champions and experienced pros, resulting in heartbreaking eliminations for players like Todd Tucker, Iman Al-Saden, and Pete Petree on Day 2.
Poker enthusiasts can look forward to upcoming RGPS events such as the Council Bluffs Mission, Graton Resort (Bay Area), Dream Seat Invitational, and Jamul Poker Open.
Apart from poker, Brian Craig and other notable casino personalities will also have opportunities to compete in events such as sports betting and lotteries as the RGPS continues to expand into different casino-and-gambling disciplines, including sports like basketball and soccer.