button in SafariRodney Deaton Crosses the Half-Million Mark on Day 1b
Action has wrapped up in Day 1b of the RunGood Poker Series Passport Season $800 Main Event here at Caesars Southern Indiana. Of the 84 runners who started the day, only 10 players will return for Day 2 on Sunday, all of whom are already in the money.
Rodney Deaton ascended to the top of the counts, bagging an impressive 534,000, good for second in the overall standings through the first two starting flights. Deaton is fresh off a big score, having taken down the $400 Pot Limit Omaha Ring Event yesterday for $12,269. He will look to ride that momentum into Day 2 in search of another title.
His next closest competitors are Jeremy Meade (469,000) and Caio Sobral (362,000) who finished the day in second and third, respectively.
It was a solid day for RunGood ambassadors Craig Welko (200,000), Chris Audrain (99,000), and Duster Ellis (89,000), who all managed to find a bag for Sunday.
Day 1b Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodney Deaton | United States | 534,000 |
| 2 | Jeremy Meade | United States | 469,000 |
| 3 | Caio Sobral | Brazil | 362,000 |
| 4 | Kevin Johnson | United States | 297,000 |
| 5 | Michael Hahn | United States | 228,000 |
| 6 | Craig Welko | United States | 200,000 |
| 7 | Andrew Huberty | United States | 162,000 |
| 8 | Chris Audrain | United States | 99,000 |
| 9 | Duster Ellis | United States | 89,000 |
| 10 | Donnie Phan | United States | 79,000 |
Notable Eliminations
World Series of Poker bracelet winner Charlie Dawson found a double up late in the day against Sobral, but couldn’t secure a bag.
RunGood ambassador Brian Winter returned for Day 1b after falling short yesterday in the opening flight. He found himself in a great spot to double up not long after late registration closed, but got three-outered on the river for a painful exit.
Carl Masters, another RunGood ambassador, fired a couple bullets but couldn't spin up his stack on either attempt. He’ll have another shot tomorrow should he choose to play Day 1c or 1d.
The final two flights are scheduled for Saturday, May 2, with cards in the air at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time.
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 four flights on Sunday, May 3, where the event will play down to a winner.
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the entirety of the $800 Main Event here at the 2026 RGPS Passport Season Southern Indiana.