$330 Poker Industry Championship
Day 1 Completed
2019 RGPS Poker Industry Championship
$330 Poker Industry Championship
Day: 1
Congratulations to Poker Industry Championship Winner Chad Holloway ($2,250)
Level 13
: 2,000/3,000, 3,000 ante
PokerNews' own Chad Holloway bested a small field of 15 entrants to take down the inaugural $330 buy-in Poker Industry Championship title, which was hosted by the RunGood Poker Series at Hard Rock Tulsa. Holloway, co-host of the LFG Podcast as well as PokerNews Head of Live Reporting North America, also claimed a custom Signature Ring, and a cash prize of $2,250.
It marked the second "industry" title for Holloway. Back in 2013, he topped a field of 898 runners to win the World Series of Poker Event #1: $500 Casino Employees for nearly $85,000 and a gold bracelet.
"It feels good to be the first winner of the Poker Industry Championship," Holloway said after the win. "It was fun to battle it out with folks I usually work either with or alongside, and I want to thank RunGood and Hard Rock Tulsa for putting it on. I look forward to trying to defend in next year's event."
Holloway arrived late, chipped up early, and didn't hit a rough patch until after the money bubble had burst. Among those to compete in the tournament were photographer Katerina Lukina, poker veteran Johnny "Quads" Wenzel, tournament director Bill Bruce, and PokerNews contributor Bernard Lee, who hosts The Bernard Lee Poker Show.
When three-handed play began, runner-up Thomas Bowler went on a run, winning pot after pot, knocking out third-place finisher [Removed:309], and amassing a significant chip lead. When heads-up play began, Holloway was at a nearly 4:1 chip disadvantage.
However, Holloway consistently held the best hand by the river in heads-up play and battled into the lead before finishing it off flopping top pair to Bowler's middle pair. Bowler was equal to Holloway's skill and desire, but at the end of the match, the run good was clearly in Holloway's favor.
Poker Industry Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
| 1 | Chad Holloway | $2,250 |
| 2 | Thomas Bowler | $1,350 |
| 3 | [Removed:309] | $900 |
PokerNews live updates will continue this weekend with the $675 buy-in RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event.
Thomas Bowler Eliminated in 2nd Place ($1,350)
Level 13
: 2,000/3,000, 3,000 ante
On the final hand of the tournament, Chad Holloway raised to 8,000 and Thomas Bowler called. The flop came 
and Bowler checked.
Holloway continued for 6,000 and Bowler moved all-in for 65,000. Holloway took a moment to react, then called to put Bowler at risk.
Chad Holloway: 
Thomas Bowler: 
Holloway had Bowler deep in a hole, but hands have been won with fewer outs. Bowler failed to hit the turn and river when it ran out 
, bringing his run in the inaugural Poker Industry Championship to an end.
For his second-place finish, Bowler will take home a payday of $1,350.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
300,000 | |
|
Busted |
Level: 13
Blinds: 2,000/3,000
Ante: 3,000
Break it Up
Level 12
: 1,500/2,500, 2,500 ante
The players are enjoying another scheduled break. When they return, the blinds will increase to 2,000/3,000 with a 3,000 ante.
Heads Up
Level 12
: 1,500/2,500, 2,500 ante
Heads up play began with Thomas Bowler holding a 3:1 chip lead over Chad Holloway. However, the two quickly got involved in an all-in confrontation that resulted in Holloway doubling up.
Bowler opened for 6,500 and Holloway shipped it for 42,000. Bowler called and the hands were tabled.
Thomas Bowler: 
Chad Holoway: 
Bowler flopped a gutshot but ultimately neither player improved through the 
board, bringing the chip stacks close to even.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
165,000 | -17,000 |
|
|
135,000 | 61,000 |
[Removed:309] Eliminated in 3rd Place ($900)
Level 12
: 1,500/2,500, 2,500 ante
[Removed:309] opened for 5,500 and Thomas Bowler three-bet to 10,000. Pearson called and the two saw a flop of 
.
Pearson checked and Bowler continued for 11,000. Pearson thought for a bit and then moved all-in for around 55,000.
Bowler hesitated for a few seconds but called to put Pearson at risk.
[Removed:309]: 
Thomas Bowler: 
Bowler was ahead but would have to avoid Pearson's pair and backdoor outs to eliminate his opponent. The board bricked out for Pearson when it completed with 
.
Pearson exits the tournament in 3rd place and will take home $900 for his performance.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
182,000 | 25,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Level: 12
Blinds: 1,500/2,500
Ante: 2,500
Bowler vs. Holloway
Level 11
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Chad Holloway opened for 4,500 and Thomas Bowler called from the big blind. The flop came 
and both players checked.
Bowler checked the turn when the 
came, filling a possible flush draw. Holloway bet 3,000 and Bowler called.
The 
completed the board on the river and Bowler again checked it to his opponent. Holloway bet 7,000 and Bowler quickly called.
Bowler turned over 
for a flush, besting the 
of Holloway.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
157,000 | 31,400 |
|
|
74,000 | -19,500 |
|
|
58,000 | -8,400 |
Correct Call with King High
Level 11
: 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Thomas Bowler raised on the button to 5,000 and [Removed:309] called from the big blind. Both players checked the 
flop to see the 
turn.
Pearson check-called a delayed continuation bet from Bowler of 3,500.
The 
completed the board on the river and Pearson checked. Bowler bet 6,500 and after a brief pause, Pearson called.
"Good call," Bowler said, flashing 
for queen high. Pearson tabled 
for king high and collected the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
125,600 | -7,400 |
|
|
93,500 | 14,800 |
|
|
66,400 | -9,900 |