$800 Main Event Day 1ab | 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition New Orleans

Sep 11, 2026

Kicker Plays for Lindsay

Erick Torres

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

This hand was picked up on the flop of 4♠A♣10♦ with over 20,000 in the middle.

Mihail Karasoulis checked his option from the small blind before Kathryn Lindsay put out a bet of 8,000. Karasoulis called.

The 10♥ turn was checked by both players, bringing the 6♥ river. Karasoulis checked again on the river, which led to a bet of 5,000 from Lindsay. Karasoulis flicked in the call to go to showdown.

Lindsay showed A♠8♦ for a pair of aces. Karasoulis also had a pair of aces when he tabled A♦2♦, but Lindsay's kicker played to claim the pot.

Tags: Kathryn Lindsay Mihail Karasoulis

Level: 11

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 3,000

Sep 11, 2026

Seni Sends Out Opponent

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Erick Torres

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

A player limped from the hijack before Brian Seni raised the price of admission to 6,000 on the button. The big blind called, and the limper from the hijack also called.

Both players checked to Seni on the 9♠7♣10♦ flop. Seni continued for 8,000. Both the big blind and the hijack called.

The big blind took the initiative with a big bet of 30,000 on the 10♥ turn. The hijack folded, but Seni responded with an all-in for 62,000. The big blind called, putting himself at risk for just slightly less at 61,500.

Opponent: 9♦9♥ All in
Brian Seni: K♣10♠

Seni turned trip tens, but he was behind, as the big blind revealed he flopped a set that turned into a boat on fourth street.

Seni would spike it, however, as the 7♠ came on the river to improve Seni to a higher full house and sent his opponent packing in brutal fashion.

Tags: Brian Seni

Sep 11, 2026

Savage Puts Tough Beat on Opponent

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Erick Torres

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

A player from early position went all-in for 15,500 before Christopher Savage joined with a shove for his final 21,500 from the cutoff to put his opponent at risk.

Opponent: A♦10♥ All in
Christopher Savage: 8♥6♥

"I'm gambling for both of us since we are low," said Savage after they turned their hands over.

The flop came J♦4♣5♣ to give Savage a gutshot straight draw.

Savage fell further behind on the 10♠ turn, but he was still confident heading into the river.

"That's a great turn for me," said Savage. "Seven-ball corner pocket."

Savage manifested his reality as the 7♥ peeled on the river to give Savage a straight and sent his opponent packing.

Tags: Christopher Savage

Level: 10

Blinds: 1,000/2,000

Ante: 2,000

Sep 11, 2026

McEwen Shows Johnson the Exit

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Erick Torres

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Sidney Johnson started the bidding with an open to 3,500 from early position. Preston McEwen joined the action with a call from the cutoff.

Johnson continued for 6,000 on the K♥6♠Q♦ flop before McEwen countered with a raise to 12,000. Johnson went all-in for approximately 24,000 and was snap-called by McEwen to be at risk.

Sidney Johnson: K♣10♣ All in
Preston McEwen: K♦Q♣

Johnson held top pair, but it was not enough as McEwen held top two pair with kings and queens, putting Johnson well behind as they went to the turn and river.

The J♥ turn gave Johnson some hope as he gained an open-ended straight draw, but the river was not the card he needed, as he improved to an inferior two pair on the 10♦ river to be eliminated from Day 1a by McEwen.

Tags: Preston McEwen Sidney Johnson

Sep 11, 2026

Hart Busts Shouey

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Erick Torres

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Grant Hart began the action with an open to 3,500 from early position. James Shouey made the call out of the cutoff.

The 6♣8♦Q♦ flop came down before Hart asked to see Shouey's stack. Hart took an inventory before he fired 8,000 on the flop. Shouey went all-in for 22,000 total and was called by Hart to be at risk.

James Shouey: Q♠9♠ All in
Grant Hart: Q♣J♠

Shouey had kicker problems, as Hart had him in a rough spot with two cards to go.

The 5♣ turn offered Shouey some additional outs to a gutshot straight, but the A♥ river was not one of Shouey's outs, as he was eliminated from contention.

Tags: Grant Hart James Shouey

Sep 11, 2026

Registration Closed

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Erick Torres

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Registration for Day 1a has closed. The opening flight of the RGPS Golden Expedition $800 Main Event had 60 entries. This means that a total of seven players will be permitted to bag and advance to Day 2.

Level: 9

Blinds: 1,000/1,500

Ante: 1,500

Sep 11, 2026

Break Time

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Erick Torres

Level 8 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Players are on a 15-minute break. Registration for Day 1a will close following the conclusion of the break. There are a total of 57 entries on Day 1a thus far. Blinds will resume at the 1,000/1,500 level.