button in SafariChristopher Caruso, Casey Hatmaker Lord Over the Field on Day 1a of the RGPS Maryland Main Event
Christopher Caruso and Casey Hatmaker left the rest of the field in their dust on Day 1a of the RunGood Poker Series Golden Expedition Maryland $1,300 Main Event.
The two top stacks both bagged up more than 700,000, Caruso just edging out Hatmaker for the chip lead with 730,000 to 712,000. The other three players to make it through the event’s opening flight, meanwhile, are so far behind they would need a telescope to view the chip lead.
Day 1a Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Caruso | United States | 730,000 | 91 |
| 2 | Casey Hatmaker | United States | 712,000 | 89 |
| 3 | Steven Hlavinka | United States | 141,000 | 18 |
| 4 | Nathan Bomey | United States | 110,000 | 14 |
| 5 | Alan Gendelman | United States | 107,000 | 13 |
Caruso needed a second bullet after busing earlier in the day, but he then hit trips to knock out Melanie Hennigan before flopping a wheel in a big pot off Marcia Kuntz. The pot of the day, however, came on the last level when he snapped off his last 317,000 with two kings to double up off Justin Arnwine’s tens.
Hatmaker began his ascent up the leaderboard against Caruso when he picked up aces against Caruso’s jacks. He then flopped a straight for a big double off Derrick Thomas, before finishing off Arnwine on the money bubble when he caught an ace on the turn against Arnwine’s flopped pair of kings.
Steven Hlavinka (141,000), Nathan Bomey (110,000), and Alan Gendelman (107,000) round out the remaining five players, the three of them combined having barely half the stack of the two leaders.
A total of 36 players came to the MGM National Harbor today for the first of three starting flights. Among those to hit the rail were WSOP Main Event champion Greg Raymer, WSOP bracelet winner Mike Jukich, and Alexandra Loveless. They still have two more chances to take a shot at the RGPS championship ring and $250,000 guaranteed prize pool. Day 1b begins tomorrow at 11:15 a.m., while Day 1c takes place on September 26 at 11:15 a.m. All surviving players then return for Day 2 on September 27 at 12:15 p.m. to play down to a champion. The action on Day 2 will pick up at the earliest finishing time from one of the starting flights. Day 1a ended with six minutes remaining in Level 15 with blinds of 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante.
PokerNews will be back tomorrow following all the action from Day 1b, so be sure to return for all the updates.