Maksim Tatarintsev Defends RGPS Grand Prix San Diego Main Event Title
When Maksim Tatarintsev reached the final table with the chip lead, it must have felt like déjà vu.
One year after winning the Main Event at Jamul Casino Resort, he completed the rare back-to-back by capturing the RunGood Poker Series Grand Prix San Diego $600 Main Event for $38,890.
“I’m really happy about it, of course,” Tatarintsev told PokerNews. “I was just playing how I know how to play.”
2025 RGPS Grand Prix San Diego Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maksim Tatarintsev | United States | $38,890 |
| 2 | Zach Kelley | United States | $27,250 |
| 3 | Gabriel Habbaba | United States | $17,520 |
| 4 | William Wilson | United States | $11,229 |
| 5 | Jose Medina | Mexico | $8,659 |
| 6 | Barbara Lanese | United States | $7,155 |
| 7 | Bradley Miller | United States | $6,017 |
| 8 | Jeff Burquist | United States | $4,940 |
| 9 | Henry Trinidad | United States | $3,887 |
Tatarintsev's Road to Glory
Tatarintsev topped a 348-entry field and claimed the lion’s share of the $180,960 prize pool. He carried momentum into the final table after scoring several eliminations late on Day 2, including a key pot where his pocket kings held against Nan Chen to secure the lead.
“I just felt confident, and the stack helped me in case I made a mistake,” he said.
One of the defining moments of the final table came early, when Tatarintsev’s pocket eights went runner-runner flush in a three-way all-in against the aces of Jeff Burquist and the overcards of Henry Trinidad, giving him nearly half the chips in play.
From there, he controlled the endgame, knocking out Gabriel Habbaba in third and Zach Kelley heads-up to seal his second RGPS Main Event title at Jamul Casino.
The former international online pro said he has been focusing more on live tournaments since his 2024 win.
“I want to thank my support in my friends and family all over the world,” he added.
Forty-one players returned for Day 2, all chasing the RGPS title. Early momentum came for several contenders — including Habbaba, who climbed the counts with steady pressure — while flight leaders Corey Paggeot and Barbara Lanese both navigated deep runs before bowing out in 19th and 6th respectively.
Once the field reached the final stages, Tatarintsev asserted control and never looked back, closing out a dominant performance to defend his Main Event title.
