$700 Main Event | 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition Joplin

Sep 20, 2026

Josh Hawkins Eliminated in 9th Place ($4,852)

David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Joseph Ferguson raised to 65,000 in the cutoff before Josh Hawkins moved all in for 750,000 on the button. Ferguson snap-called. "I'm not strong at all," Hawkins said.

Josh Hawkins: Q♣J♥ All in
Joseph Ferguson: A♥Q♥

"Just put three hearts out there," Ferguson said going to the flop, which came 9♦2♦4♦. The 10♠ turn gave Hawkins a straight draw, but he missed the A♠ river as Ferguson finished with top pair to win the pot and send Hawkins to the rail in ninth place.

Tags: Joseph Ferguson Josh Hawkins

Sep 20, 2026

Little Fires at Ferguson

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Robert Little raised to 65,000 in the hijack, Joseph Ferguson three-bet to 160,000 in the small blind, and Little called.

Ferguson checked the A♥6♥4♣ flop, and Little bet 75,000. Ferguson called and checked again on the 9♠ turn, and Little then bet 250,000. Ferguson folded this time.

Tags: Joseph Ferguson Robert Little

Sep 20, 2026

Hayward Gets Approval From His "Coach"

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Landon Mabe raised to 60,000 in early position before Joseph Ferguson three-bet to 150,000 in middle position. Connor Hayward then four-bet to 425,000 in the small blind.

Both Mabe and Ferguson quickly folded, and Hayward showed A♥K♠ as he took the pot. "I'll allow it," a spectator said from the rail.

"Thanks, coach," Hayward replied.

Tags: Connor Hayward Joseph Ferguson Landon Mabe

Sep 20, 2026

Copeland Leads the River

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Tricia Wu riased to 65,000 in early position and was called by Robert Little in middle position and Jeff Copeland in the big blind.

Action checked to Little on the 9♦A♦J♣ flop, and he bet 120,000. Only Copeland called.

Little bet another 200,000 on the Q♠ turn, and Copeland again called. The river was the 5♦ and Copeland led out for 350,000. Little quickly folded.

Tags: Jeff Copeland Robert Little Tricia Wu

Sep 20, 2026

Ferguson Bets Out Varnell

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

On the first hand of the final table, Josh Hawkins was all in and up against Connor Hayward, but both players turned over ace-king and chopped the pot.

Michael Varnell then raised to 65,000 on the button and Joseph Ferguson called in the big blind.

Varnell continued for 40,000 on the 10♥6♠3♦ flop, and Ferguson raised to 80,000. Varnell called, and the 5♥ fell on the turn.

Ferguson then bet 130,000, and Varnell called. The river was the Q♦ and Ferguson bet 150,000. Varnell took a minute, but he eventually gave up his hand this time.

Tags: Connor Hayward Joseph Ferguson Josh Hawkins Michael Varnell

Sep 20, 2026

Final Table

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Seat	Player	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Landon Mabe	1,400,000	47
2	Joseph Ferguson	1,400,000	47
3	Josh Hawkins	650,000	22
4	Jeff Copeland	2,300,000	77
5	Craig Leopard	1,300,000	43
6	Tricia Wu	1,000,000	33
7	Connor Hayward	1,100,000	37
8	Robert Little	1,300,000	43
9	Michael Varnell	1,000,000	33

Sep 20, 2026

Tim Black Eliminated in 10th Place ($4,852)

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Robert Little raised to 75,000 on the button, Tim Black moved all in for 375,000 in the big blind, and Little called.

Tim Black: A♦K♣ All in
Robert Little: A♠5♣

Black hit top pair on the K♥3♦4♥ flop, while Little picked up a straight draw. "That would be dirty," Black said as the turn 8♠ came on the river.

"Deuce," he said, tempting fate, and the 2♠ fell on the river to give Little his straight.

"You called it," another tablemate told Black as he made his way to the rail in 10th place.

The remaining nine players are taking their seats at the final table.

Tags: Robert Little Tim Black

Sep 20, 2026

Frederick Roll Eliminated in 11th Place ($3,897)

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David Salituro

Level 21 : Blinds 15,000/30,000, 30,000 ante

Frederick Roll raised to 75,000 in the cutoff before Jeff Copeland moved all in from the button. "Alright, I call," Roll said as he eventually pushed forward his last 550,000 after tanking for a minute.

Frederick Roll: A♦J♣ All in
Jeff Copeland: A♣K♠

The 10♦10♠9♦ flop left open the possibility of a chop, but Copeland ended up with two pair as the board ran out 7♥K♦ to send Roll to the rail in 11th place.