button in SafariBig Prizes Await as RGPS Golden Expedition Returns to Horseshoe Tunica
Table Of Contents
Tunica has long been a favourite destination for poker players across the American South, and there's another good reason to make the trip to Mississippi this November.
The RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) is returning to Horseshoe Casino Tunica from November 10-15 for the latest stop of its Golden Expedition season, bringing 13 ring events, six days of poker, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in guaranteed prize money.
The biggest attraction is the $600 Main Event, which comes with a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, while the $250 PokerNews PowerStack offers another $50,000 guarantee. And if the series' last visit to Tunica is anything to go by, both could end up paying out considerably more.
There is also plenty at stake beyond the immediate prize money, with players chasing RGPS rings and valuable points in the season-long PokerNews PowerStack competition.
RGPS Golden Expedition Tunica Schedule
Can Tunica Deliver Another Huge Turnout?
When the RGPS last visited Horseshoe Tunica in March for the RGPS Passport Tunica $600 Main Event, 495 entries pushed the prize pool to $252,450.
Tennessee's William Latta walked away with the ring and $49,110 after more than two decades of chasing a big poker victory.
The part-time player had come close at Horseshoe Tunica before, including a couple of Main Event final tables, but had never quite managed to get his hands on an RGPS ring.
"There's a lot of people in this poker room that have these rings, so it was a little bit of a bone of contention," Latta told PokerNews after finally getting over the line. "Happy to get that off my back."
Latta, who balances poker with his job in the metal industry and family life, defeated Kyle Cartwright heads-up to claim the title. His victory was a reminder of what makes the RGPS so appealing, with recreational players getting the chance to compete for serious money without needing to travel to Las Vegas or spend thousands on a buy-in.
"This is just a hobby for me, so it's nice to finally get one," Latta added.
This November's Main Event follows a similar format, with three starting flights on November 13 and 14 before the survivors return for Day 2 on Sunday, November 15.
PokerNews will once again be on-site to live report the Main Event, bringing readers chip counts, key hands, eliminations, and all the action through to the crowning of a champion.
PokerNews PowerStack Has More Than Prize Money on the Line
The $250 PokerNews PowerStack is another event worth circling on the schedule, particularly for players chasing a place in the season-ending Dream Seat Invitational.
The previous PowerStack in Tunica attracted an impressive 452 entries, creating a $90,400 prize pool. Cody Stanford emerged victorious, defeating Tony Wofford heads-up to collect $18,067 and an RGPS ring.
This time, the tournament comes with a $50,000 guarantee and two starting flights on Wednesday, November 11, at noon and 6 p.m. The remaining players will return on Thursday to decide the winner.
But there's more to play for than just the money in Tunica as the runs throughout the RGPS Fall Season, with players collecting points at designated PowerStack events across the tour.
The top 10 players on the leaderboard will each receive a package to Thunder Valley, including entry into the exclusive $300 Dream Seat Invitational during the RunGood Dream Factory Festival from November 27 through December 3.
The winner of that Invitational will then earn a seat in the PGT Championship at the PokerGO Studio in January 2027.
After ten stops of the Golden Expedition season, Jesse Stephens and Derek Kerns are tied at the top with 70 points apiece, with Shannon Lee just five points behind.
PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard Current Top 10
| Place | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesse Stephens | 70 |
| 2 | Derek Kerns | 70 |
| 3 | Shannon Lee | 65 |
| 4 | Peter Brooks | 60 |
| 5 | Rayz Rayl | 55 |
| 6 | Charlie Dawson | 55 |
| 7 | Michael Kennedy | 55 |
| 8 | Phong Nguyen | 55 |
| 9 | David Burke | 55 |
| 10 | Grant Hinkle | 51.7 |
Thirteen Rings Across Six Days
While the Main Event and PowerStack are the biggest draws, the RGPS has put together a schedule with plenty of options for players of different bankrolls and poker preferences.
The festival kicks off on Tuesday, November 10, with a $250 Seniors Ring Event, a $250 Series Opener, and a $200 Tag Team Double Ring Event.
Mixed-game enthusiasts have two Omaha tournaments to choose from, including a $200 Five-Card PLO event and a $300 Pot-Limit Omaha event.
Bounty hunters haven't been forgotten either. The $250 Big Bet Bounty Ring Event on November 12 features $400 bounties once players are in the money, while the $400 Black Chip Bounty Ring Event takes place on the final day.
There's also a $300 Ladies Ring Event, a $200 Turbo NLH Ring Event, and a Flip & Go Ring Event, offering plenty of ways to get involved without entering the festival's more expensive tournaments.
For those targeting the Main Event on a smaller budget, $145 Turbo Satellites will award one $600 seat for every five entries, with additional Flip & Go satellites available on demand.
