Level: 3
Blinds: 100/200
Ante: 200
2019 RGPS Poker Industry Championship
$330 Poker Industry Championship
Day: 1
Down but Still Battling
Level 3
: 100/200, 200 ante
John Wenzel opened from under-the-gun to 600. Ryan Bevenue called in the small blind and Thomas Bowler called from the big blind.
The flop came 
. Bevenue led out with a bet of 700. Bowler called and Wenzel folded.
Both players checked the 
turn. When a third king came on the river, the 
, Bevenue led for 2,000 and Bowler quickly folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
13,500
-3,600
|
-3,600 |
|
10,700
-7,800
|
-7,800 |
|
|
10,300
-4,700
|
-4,700 |
Photos from Poker Industry Championship
Level: 4
Blinds: 200/300
Ante: 300
The Same Thing Only Different
Level 4
: 200/300, 300 ante
With so many events played at the local level, there are few who traverse the country to coordinate and direct tournaments. One of these is Bill Bruce, who took a seat in today's event during Level 3.
Bruce is the Director Of Operations (and sometimes Tournament Director) for Poker Tournament Consultants, which partners with (or has partnered with) the biggest tours in the industry, including the World Series Of Poker Circuit events, World Poker Tour, Hollywood Poker Open, Poker Night in America, and the Card Player Poker Tour, just to name a few. And he's been doing it since the inception of the poker boom.
Bruce began his career in gaming all the way back in 1993, but dedicated his career to the poker industry in the wake of the Moneymaker effect, ultimately assuming his current role in 2008. In an interview with PokerNews' Brett Collson and Donnie Peters in 2014, Bruce explained what's most important for a successful tournament:
"The planning, organizing and coordinating of all the regional events takes up most of my time each day. Then there is also the hiring of the staff for each event, coordinating with the gaming commissions of the different states, marketing meetings, multiple conference calls from the various departments of the various properties, training, auditions, budget planning, etc. The most important part, though, is the little things. The details. The extra mile."
As for his prowess on the felt, Bruce has already increased his chip stack after one level of play. In his latest hand just before the first break of the day, Bruce was in a hand with [Removed:309]. On the turn, the board read 
. Bruce bet 2,100 and Pearson shoved all-in for 12,000 total. After a think, Bruce let his hand go.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
25,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
|
20,400
3,700
|
3,700 |
First Break
Level 4
: 200/300, 300 ante
With four levels completed, we've reached the first scheduled break of the structure. When the players return, the blinds will increase to 200/400 with a 400 big blind ante.
Level: 5
Blinds: 200/400
Ante: 400
Writer and WSOP Bracelet Winner Chad Holloway
Level 5
: 200/400, 400 ante
When it comes to household names in the poker industry, the general public will conjure up the names of players like Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, or Phil Hellmuth. But to those in the industry who work off the felt, there are another group of names that immediately spring to mind. Whether writers, interviewers, editors, or presenters, industry insiders all know the name Chad Holloway.
Holloway, the Senior Writer and Social Media Marketer for PokerNews, has been behind the scenes at tournaments big and small for over a decade with writing stints at Bluff Media, Unabomber Poker, Poker Pro Media, Mid-States Poker Tour, Ante Up Magazine, and PokerNews. Holloway began a writing career in poker after taking a leave of absence from law school and hasn't looked back.
An early supporter of RunGood Gear and its flagship tour, Holloway even sported a RunGood patch when he won the 2012 WSOP $500 No Limit Hold'em - Casino Employees Event for $84,915.
Holloway is doing well today, with a stack of 41,600 early in Level 5.
Updated Chip Counts
Level 5
: 200/400, 400 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
42,200
13,900
|
13,900 |
|
41,600
13,700
|
13,700 |
|
||
|
|
30,200
4,200
|
4,200 |
|
|
24,100
3,700
|
3,700 |
|
22,600
6,200
|
6,200 |
|
|
16,300
5,200
|
5,200 |
|
|
14,400
4,100
|
4,100 |
|
|
13,400
-100
|
-100 |
|
|
13,000
-17,000
|
-17,000 |
|
|
13,000
-12,000
|
-12,000 |
|
|
5,400
-5,300
|
-5,300 |
Level: 6
Blinds: 300/600
Ante: 600