RGPS President Tana Karn Shares Details on Zero Rake Poker Industry Championship
The RunGood Poker Series (RGPS), the reigning Global Poker Award winner for “Mid-Major Tour/Circuit of the Year,” is set to visit the Hard Rock Tulsa from November 12-17, 2019.
Before the official “Game 7” stop kicks off, the RGPS will host the inaugural “Poker Industry Championship.” It’s an event designed to celebrate the behind-the-scenes individuals that make poker happen.
The two-day event will feature a Monday night 7 p.m. $135 8-Game Mixer which will lead into Tuesday’s noon start of the $330 Poker Industry Championship. The buy-in will have no house rake with the $30 going straight to the dealers, and the tournament will be live reported here on PokerNews.
The event was the brainchild of RGPS President Tana Karn, who recently spoke to PokerNews about the unique tournament.
What inspired you to create and offer the Poker Industry Championship?
There's a couple of things that inspired this tournament. I've been able to experience the World Series of Poker Employee Event a couple of times, and it stands at being one of the best experiences I've had playing poker. Everyone in it is just genuinely happy to be playing. I hear it often on tour talking with dealers that the WSOP Employee Event is their Main Event.
"I've always made an extra effort to support folks who work in the poker industry because out of everyone I know they love it the most."
My first year playing the event my table was all dealers, so you can imagine the table talk was fantastic. The most memorable moment was when a very green dealer sat in the box, and all the signs pointed at it being his first day. Hands were shaking, his riffle was off, and he kept apologizing to the table. In unison, the entire table became the greatest third base coach ever. Words of encouragement, nice pitch, and "we were all nervous the first time too," jokes filled the next 30 minutes. And it worked, he was dealing like he was a five-year WSOP veteran.
It's dealers in this industry that keep the poker world's heart beating. Yes, that was a dad joke. I felt like it was time to put out another event to showcase the folks behind the scenes. And with the help of PokerNews live reporting, we're aiming for everyone that comes out to play to feel like superstars. From the beginning of RunGoodGear, I've always made an extra effort to support folks who work in the poker industry because out of everyone I know; they love it the most.
Why is Hard Rock Tulsa a good venue to host such an event?
The tour has been incredibly lucky to have a partner like Hard Rock Tulsa. They have a hard-working upper management team that looks to grow the game alongside dealers who are passionate about poker that travel to play themselves. They have stood with RunGood since nearly the beginning and are always actively trying new things with us. Plus, the venue is top for entertainment even if you're not in the tournament.
Who is eligible to play this tournament?
For the inaugural event, we have asked players to register with either a valid gaming license or media badge. After the event, we will be reviewing on the best way to expand the definition of "poker industry" to include more folks behind the scenes growing poker.
"The event has received a lot of positive traction and already has a year two date set on the West Coast."
The $30 from each buy-in will go directly to the dealers. Why was this important to you?
Since it is the debut of this event, what better way to celebrate the poker industry than to do a no-house rake and extra for the dealers who can't play the tournament? New events are always tough to knock out of the park and Hard Rock Tulsa and I agreed to make sure that anyone who makes it out to play knows we are grateful off the bat with the no house rake.
Is this a one-off event, or do you hope to do it every year?
The event has received a lot of positive traction and already has a year two date set on the West Coast. Our ultimate goal is to have it rotate from Middle America, West Coast, and then East Coast. That way everyone can be part of the championship at some point in the next three years.
For more on the RGPS and Poker Industry Championship, visit rungoodevents.com.
PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
