It was another exciting day of action for Day 1b of the 2025 RGPS Mission RunGood Jacksonville $1,200 Main Event.
A total of 136 runners made their way to bestbet Jacksonville with their eyes on a bag. However, after just over 15 levels of play, only 17 have punched their ticket to Sunday’s Day 2.
Day 1b has brought the total number of players to 219 with 28 advancing, with a big turnout expected for the final Day 1c. They’re all fighting for a piece of the $300,000 guarantee, a bestbet trophy, and a coveted RGPS ring.
Leading the way from Day 1b is Antonio De La Cruz who went on a heater toward the end of the night on his way to a bag of 906,000. In second place from this flight is George Wolfe with 561,000. Rounding out the podium in third place is Sean Conklin with 392,000.
End of Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio De La Cruz | 906,000 |
| 2 | George Wolfe | 561,000 |
| 3 | Sean Conklin | 392,000 |
| 4 | Katerina Lukina | 350,000 |
| 5 | Caleb Larsen | 334,000 |
| 6 | Hyong Lee | 254,000 |
| 7 | Bryan Sarandrea | 198,000 |
| 8 | Brian Omass | 198,000 |
| 9 | Kelly Slay | 186,000 |
| 10 | Edward Mroczkowski | 148,000 |
Day 1b Highlights
Just 35 players were seated at the starting bell, but the tables quickly filled up and chips were flying from the very first hand.
Several notable players hopped into the action early, including defending champion Dimas Martinez, local favorite Thad McNulty, and RunGood ambassadors Kelley Slay, Kelly Slay, Heather Alcorn, Edward Mroczkowski, and Maggie Fox.
McNulty was the beneficiary of an early two-outer as his pocket fours flopped a boat against the pocket kings of James Nighbert in a 75 big blind confrontation.
Raymark Policarpio won a memorable hand halfway through the day after he and his opponent both turned a straight. However, Policarpio’s straight was of the straight flush variety as he left his opponent drawing dead in a brutal cooler.
After registration, Bryan Sarandrea got the best of it in another cooler as his pocket aces held against pocket kings in a pot of almost 100 big blinds.
Hand-for-hand play began at the start of Level 15. After 21 hands, Thad McNulty would jam the button with ace-seven for six big blinds and was called by the ten-eight of George Wolfe. Wolfe would turn a straight to eliminate McNulty on the stone bubble.
Day 1b wrapped up with 36 minutes left in Level 16. The tournament will offer another opening flight on Saturday at 12 p.m. local time. All surviving players will return on Sunday, May 4 at 12 p.m. to play down to a winner in the Day 2.
However, since Day 1a finished with 10 minutes left in Level 13 with blinds at 2,000/3,000, play will restart at this point on Sunday, unless the unlikely scenario occurs in which Day 1c finishes before this point.
This tournament also features a multi-bag bonus. If a player bags twice, they will receive a $3,600 bonus along with a min-cash for the smaller of the two bags, and the higher bag will be in play for Day 2.
Remaining RGPS Jacksonville Full Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| May 3 | 12:00 PM | $1,200 Main Event 1C ($300,000 GTD) |
| May 4 | 12:00 PM | Main Event Day 2 |
| May 4 | 1:00 PM | $500 The bestbet 500 No-Limit Hold'em Ring Event |
Be sure to keep it with the PokerNews team for live updates from the floor of the 2025 RGPS Mission RunGood Jacksonville $1,200 Main Event.
