Brian Craig Conquers RGPS Tulsa Main Event in Style, Takes Home $70,169

Ladies and gentlemen, poker enthusiasts, and lovers of high-stakes drama, Brian Craig has officially kicked off the 2025 RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) with a bang, claiming the first Main Event title of the year and a sweet $70,169 in prize money. The Kansas grinder not only secured bragging rights but also bagged a coveted seat at the prestigious $300 Dream Seat Invitational. 

Let’s dive into how this epic victory unfolded.

Brian Craig: 517 Dreamers, One Black Ring 

Think of this: Only 63 players cashed out; 517 hopefuls shot and passed the $361,900 prize pool guarantee. Every player imagined at the beginning of Day 2 that brilliant black RGPS ring on their finger. Ten hours later, fast forward—Brian Craig was the one realizing that fantasy. Starting in fifteenth place, the Kansas poker enthusiast stayed calm and used consistent, calculated play. Brian Craig was leading the pack by the time the last table turned around; he never turned around.

Perspiration and Patience: Brian Craig’s Winning Recipe

Craig spoke straightforwardly when questioned about his attitude over the rollercoaster day: “Patience was the key.” The day turned out as a story of two extremes: periods when he won every hand for thirty minutes and others in which he lost for an hour straight. Craig, though, remained cool, collected, and composed through it all. His endurance faced severe challenges against Mike Travis, who arrived with a strong 3:1 chip lead after eliminating most of the final table. However, Craig made a dramatic turnaround in less than an hour, securing the title with a composed and confident finish.

The Big Payday of a Semi-Pro

For Craig, poker is less than a full-time job but more than a pastime. “I’m a semi-pro—heavy on the semi,” he said jokingly. His lifetime poker earnings before this victory came to $75,789. He almost doubled that total with this triumph, which will help him run further in the next tournament. Grinning, he replied, “With this score, I can probably play more tournaments.”

Fireworks in Final Tables

The final table was a clash of titans and featured moments that had the crowd on edge. Let’s break it down:

Drama Heads-Up

Craig and Travis had a cinematic confrontation. Having dominated the final table by smashing most of the opposition, Travis arrived at the heads-up encounter with a significant lead. Craig, nevertheless, was not giving up without a struggle. One major hand turned the script: Craig bet large on the river with a strong bluff, forcing Travis to fold ace-king on an eight-high board. Craig never let go of the lead since the pot flipped his momentum to his advantage. Travis tried to be sneaky with a six-two bluff on the last hand, but Craig’s trip fours were unquestionable, closing the deal and the title.

Highlights of Day 2

Craig had to negotiate an all-star lineup of RGPS champs and seasoned pros rather than a straight-line approach to success. Among the many poker dreams dashed on Day 2 were past winners Todd Tucker, Iman Al-Saden, and Pete Petree.

Memorable events:

• The pocket aces of Michael Perrone dropped to Ryan Anderson’s ace-king in a cruel chiller.

• Ashley “PokerFace Ash,” Frank finished 13th here and placed third in another event the same day with an amazing double cash.

• When Rosmel Munoz’s set of fours ran over Stone’s top set of tens, he suffered a terrible elimination.

Brian Craig’s Chapter Next

Brian Craig secured his spot at the Dream Seat Invitational in November 2025, where he will compete for additional glory following this victory. He is, however, currently deservedly resting before organizing his next poker trip. “The money is fantastic,” Brian Craig said, but the title and the memories matter.

What are the future developments for RGPS?

The poker action carries on as the RGPS makes its way to Jamul Casino in San Diego next month. Will we witness another exciting upheaval? Only time will let us know.

Stay tuned to Pokerbol, the RGPS journey is just beginning!