button in SafariMark Fisher Bags Runaway Chip Lead on Day 1a
The first of six starting flights is in the books in the $300 PokerNews PowerStack Mystery Bounty here at the RunGood Poker Series Golden Expedition Dallas hosted by Palace Poker. Of the 82 entries tallied in Day 1a, only 10 players will return for Day 2 on Sunday, all of whom have locked up a min-cash.
Mark Fisher (933,000) emerged as the overwhelming chip leader in the opening flight, bagging nearly as many chips as Shannon Eason (482,000) and Ethan Wilson (456,000) combined, who finished second and third, respectively. The Texas native has over $400,000 in lifetime career earnings according to The Hendon Mob, and will look to put his massive stack to use on Day 2 in search of Mystery Bounties.
Day 1a Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Fisher | United States | 933,000 |
| 2 | Shannon Eason | United States | 482,000 |
| 3 | Ethan Wilson | United States | 456,000 |
| 4 | Benjamin Vanklink | United States | 331,000 |
| 5 | Michael Brown (TX) | United States | 316,000 |
| 6 | Son Vu | United States | 207,000 |
| 7 | Thomas Pepe | United States | 191,000 |
| 8 | Kyler Scheriger | United States | 166,000 |
| 9 | Joshua McCarley | United States | 142,000 |
| 10 | Justin Rath | United States | 77,000 |
Cino Earns the Unfortunate Title of Bubble Boy
Fisher padded his stack on the final hand of the night when he spiked a three-outer on the river to burst the bubble. He got it all in with ace-queen against the short-stacked Colton Cino, who was in great shape to double up with ace-king. Cino was unable to punch his ticket into Day 2, and exited on the stone bubble in dramatic fashion.
Day 1b and 1c will take place on Friday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively, while the final three flights are scheduled for Saturday.
Play for Day 1 flights will conclude once 12.5% of the field (rounded down) remains and those who bag will be in the money. Day 2 will then start at the earliest blind level of the six flights on Sunday, August 16, where the event will play down to a winner.
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the entirety of the $300 PokerNews PowerStack Mystery Bounty here at the 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition Dallas.