Robert Hankins Bags Big on Day 1b
Action has wrapped up in Day 1b of the RunGood Poker Series Passport Season $800 Main Event here at Hollywood Casino St. Louis. Of the 141 runners who started the day, only 17 players will return for Day 2 on Sunday, all of whom are already in the money.
Robert Hankins ascended to the top of the counts, bagging an impressive 620,000 - good for second in the overall standings through the first two starting flights. The long-time grinder eliminated an opponent just before hand-for-hand play began to surpass the half-million chip mark. From there, he didn't let off the gas and continued to accumulate chips on the bubble.
His next closest competitors are Lance Brendel (577,000) and William Henricks (567,000) who finished the day in second and third, respectively. The only other player to bag over 500,000 is Mike Hurley with a respectable 560,000. Chris Lillie (489,000) rounds out the top five.
Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Hankins | United States | 620,000 |
| 2 | Lance Brendel | United States | 577,000 |
| 3 | William Henricks | United States | 567,000 |
| 4 | Mike Hurley | United States | 560,000 |
| 5 | Chris Lillie | United States | 489,000 |
| 6 | Mark Lafata | United States | 400,000 |
| 7 | Jacob Foley | United States | 356,000 |
| 8 | Eric Franz | United States | 318,000 |
| 9 | Matthew Nilges | United States | 257,000 |
| 10 | Derek Schroeder | United States | 245,000 |
Notable Eliminations
RunGood Ambassador Craig Welko was in the mix on Day 1b but couldn't find any momentum. Keith Heine, who took down the 2023 RGPS St. Louis $800 Main Event for $88,506, built up a stack in the middle stages of the day but was unable to secure a bag for Day 2. Walker Miskelly fired another bullet after falling short on Day 1a, but found no such luck on his second attempt.
Day 1c will begin Saturday, March 7 at 11:00 a.m. and Day 1d will get underway later in the day at 5:00 p.m. 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 three flights on Sunday, March 8, 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 St. Louis.