Introduction
When this year started and I saw a photograph of the RunGood ring, it was my goal to win one.
I took a couple of shots at Borgata earlier in the year, falling just short in the tag team event with my partner Sara O’Connor (4th), but Penn National was going to be my chance to fire a full schedule of events for the RunGood series (April 21st-26th). They had a total of seven ring events I could take part in, and I was going to play in as many as I could in order to win a ring of my own. Other than a small cash in the double green chip bounty event, I had fired blanks the rest of the week leading up to the Main Event.
Day 1c on Saturday was my first chance to fire in the Main. I got to play against Greg Raymer for the second time that week. RunGood ambassador Tim Faro was also at my table for much of the day.
It was a rollercoaster. First, I survived a wild three-way all-in during the last hand before the break when registration closed to win a side pot to keep my stack intact (62k, which was just over double starting stack). After break, things didn’t start off well. I chipped all the way down to 13.5k at the 1k/1.5k/1.5k ante level. Then, I was all-in with three callers and won. I managed to quickly spin it up from there thanks to some solid play and being on the right side of a cooler. I peaked at around 420k before bagging with 386k.
One bullet, one bag, and I had the chip lead from my flight.
Think Like a Winner Before the Cards are in the Air
Before heading to Penn National for Day 2, I took a look at the redraw and chip counts that morning to see what my table looked like. We were coming back to 2k/4k/4k blinds (rolled two levels back from where my Day 1 flight ended). Out of the 144 total entries across four flights, only 16 made it through to Day 2, meaning there’d only be two tables of players fighting it out.
When I arrived on site, I was in for a big surprise.
Seat 7 was supposed to be Vernon Yoder with 605k (151 bb), but RunGood double booked the seat, so they moved him to the other table. I was familiar with Vernon from a couple of earlier events, and we conversed briefly after my flight had ended. Vernon was a solid player, especially when he had chips, which was often the case when I was playing against him. He would put players in spots that caused them to make mistakes for large chunks of their stacks. As much as I like Vernon as a person, I was happy to see him moved off my table for now.
I felt I had a great draw. Lewis Wolfgang, taking Vernon’s place with one-fifth of the chips, was a major shift in my favor even if I knew nothing about Lewis. I knew I could put pressure on Jack and Adam to my left. They had smaller chip stacks than me and they would be in the blinds when I’d have the button. From past play, I knew Jamie’s betting and checking patterns. I was setup well to chip up.
First Table: 16-10 Players left
Author’s Note: I share key hands, many of which Josh Noy of PokerNews reported on, and represent my internal thoughts with italics.
Level 12: Blinds 2k/4k/4k ante
Dan Gerard opened the button to 9k, and I called from the big blind (A♠2♠) (pot: 24k).
The A♥7♠2♣ flop checked through. I checked the K♥ turn, Dan bet 15k, and I called (pot: 54k).
This felt like a rather large bet for a single pair, and, not knowing Dan at all other than his physical profile, he was one newspaper short of completing the Old Man Coffee look to perfection. He was even enjoying the casino’s brew as he played. Therefore, I believed he would likely bet if he had it and fold if he didn’t.
I checked the 9♣ river and Dan bet 40k (pot: 94k).
From the turn to river, nothing changed for me. My hand felt very much in the middle of my value range here. With Dan’s sizing, I felt a raise would be an overplay this early in the day. After a bit of a tank, I called, and Dan showed K7 suited.
The ice broke. The first pot of many headed my way.
*Craig Seltzer is eliminated in 16th Place ($1,956).
Level 13: Blinds 3k/5k/5k ante
Jamie Shughart opened the cutoff to 11k, I called from the button, and Adam Fraley called from the big blind. The 9♣2♠4♠ flop (pot: 41k) checked through.
The reason I elected to check is because I was concerned that Adam in the big blind could have had better hands here enough of the time (bigger 9s, a lot of 2 pairs, sets of 2s or 4s). Adam is likely checking in flow to the pre flop raiser (Jamie) a lot of the time. Jamie’s check meant he either had spades or high cards. I elected to take a free card.
Adam led out for 27k from the big blind on the T♦ turn (pot: 41k). Jamie called in the cutoff. I then shoved on the button, covering both opponents.
With what they both had left (Adam ~120k; Jamie ~50k), the pot size (95k to me), and how draw-heavy the board had gotten, I was ready to play for their stacks. The river card was unlikely to provide clarity in a way that I could get value from worse hands. It would likely be connected to the board to allow straights to complete or high disconnected cards like ace or king to make a better 2 pair possible, so a value bet on the river would be too thin (i.e. rarely called by worse hands). I felt it was best to get in all my value now.
Adam took some time before moving all-in, and Jaime quickly stuck his short stack into the middle. The dealer sorted the main and side pots, and players revealed their cards.
Jamie Shughart: 8♠7♠
Adam Fraley: T♠9♥
James Cloutier: T♣9♦
“One time,” exclaimed Jaime after seeing both opponents turn over two pair. Unfortunately for him, the 7♣ river was no help. Adam and I chopped to eliminate Jaime.
*The following players are eliminated: Jamie Shughart in 15th Place ($1,956), Chi Do in 14th Place ($2,076), Taerim Ku in 13th Place ($2,076).
Level 15: Blinds 4k/8k/8k ante
Dan Gerard raised to 18k in the cutoff before I three-bet to 55k on the button. Dan took some time before announcing, “All-In,” and I ended up letting my hand go.
Sometimes you put your hand in the cookie jar and it gets slapped. I don’t even recall exactly what my hand was here, but I know it wasn’t good enough to call Dan’s four-bet all-in. It was an attempt to put pressure on Dan, not go multiway post flop, and take the betting lead. Dan and I would battle more later.
Level 15: Blinds 4k/8k/8k ante
This was my biggest punt of the day. I want it back.
Dan Gerard opened to 18k under the gun (UTG) when the table was seven-handed. I called in the hijack. Adam Fraley came along on the button, and Brayden Egerter defended his big blind.
All good so far from my perspective. I could mix in some 3-bets, but I think AQo is a bit too weak versus UTG even seven-handed. Dan wasn’t nearly as tight as I first thought, but I didn’t want to three-bet fold again so soon to Dan.
Brayden checked the 2♥Q♠3♠ flop (pot: 84k), and Dan continued for 24k. Only I called (pot: 132k).
I had no issues with the call here as I had two players with undefined hands behind me. When they both folded and it became heads up, I had plans for queen, ace, and spade turns depending on what Dan did. The dealer revealed a 4♦ turn (pot: 132k), and Dan fired again for 75k.
Here came the punt. I had the ace of spades blocking nut flush draws that he shouldn’t be semi-bluffing into three people on the flop. I had a queen limiting other top pair combos. I didn’t have the sets or two pairs. I can just fold here to this sizing and what Dan has behind (~50k more), as it looked like Dan had pocket kings or better. I can also call to try to realize my equity, but I’m never getting paid on an ace, queen, or five. I might be able to bluff a spade, but I’m not sure it would get through with how little Dan had left.
I announced, “All-in,” and Dan stuck in the call.
Dan Gerard: K♠K♥
James Cloutier: A♠Q♦
Dan’s pocket kings held through the J♠ river, earning him a chunky double up through me.
Of course, the river would be a good bluff card, but I didn’t think Dan holding the K♠ would fold ~50k into 325k with the king, queen, and jack of spades accounted for even though his tournament life would be at risk. I’m basically saying I have exactly A♠T♠ and Dan didn’t have enough left for me to successfully bluff.
This brought me down to 205k and Dan up to 445k, which was the lowest point I’d be all day.
I won the very next hand from Dan for close to a 100k gain.
*The following players are eliminated: Daniel Hughes in 12th Place ($2,288) and Lewis Wolfgang in 11th Place ($2,288).
Level 16: Blinds 5k/10k/10k ante
I opened 7♠7♣ in early position to 20k and Brayden Egerter called in the big blind. This was a standard five-handed open.
Brayden checked the T♣7♥K♣ flop (pot: 55k), I bet 20k and Brayden called.
Heads up, I’d bet all pairs tens and better, draws, and two pair or better for that size. There are a lot of continues from the big blind (pair of tens or better for sure, all draws, and eights and nines if he didn’t 3 bet them). Because of how draw-heavy the board was and being five-handed, it was way too soon for Brayden to be folding a pair in this situation.
Brayden fired a bet of 40k on the T♠ turn (pot: 95k).
A repeated middle card hits the big blind range a lot. I’m expecting to see all “TxXx” in his range. I’m willing to play for stacks now and hopefully not get coolered. I raised to 90k. After tanking some time, Brayden announced “All-in” and I quickly called. I meant to bet 100k, but my stack was short. Brayden had only 20k less than me. The all-in was for about 300k total on the turn each.
Brayden Egerter: T♥9♦
James Cloutier: 7♠7♣
Brayden saw the bad news, as I revealed my full house. The Q♦ river changed nothing, ending Brayden’s run in 10th position for $2,621.
Final Table Redraw
This redraw was horrible for me. Having the shortest stack to my immediate left with the chip leader who would play 50+% of pots to his immediate left meant I had no chance to steal pots. Moreover, Dan, on my immediate right, had showed that he wouldn’t back down to my aggression all day. I’d have to play incredibly carefully. There were also some new faces to me that I’d have to learn, because I hadn’t played with them at all yet. But I had 73bb and 40-minute levels. I had all the time in the world.
Turns out I needed it, as I was about to be dealt 92o and Q3o more times than I could count.
Final Table: 9-2 Players left
Level 17: Blinds 6k/12k/12k ante
I hadn’t played much in the way of hands to this point. I won and lost some post flop, with no major swings. We were about to go on break. There was one hand at the 10k big blind level that I opened to 21k with AJo and Kazi Hossain three-bet me to 120k. I folded face up to let him feel like he could push me around to set up something later.
This following hand was when I cashed in on the image that I was meek and could be bullied off a pot.
I opened middle position to 25k with 8♠8♥, Kazi made the call in the cutoff. He had shown to be very wide pre. I bet for 20k on the T♥3♠T♦ flop (pot: 80k), and Kazi made the call.
He’s the type to float a lot of two overs. He doesn’t even need to have a back door flush draw. This ¼ pot size is standard for me on this kind of board for all my holdings I want to c-bet with.
I checked the Q♣ turn (pot: 120k), Kazi fired 75k, and I called.
I felt he’d hit this card a low percentage of the time and he showed a high frequency to stab large when someone checked to him. I called, getting ready to face a big bet on the river.
I checked again following the 6♠ river (pot: 270k), and Kazi took some time before betting 270k. That represented a lot of my remaining stack. I counted my chips before opting to make the call.
In my head I was calling this bet on that river card. I took time to count what I’d have left if I was wrong. I would have been at about 250k, near 20 big blinds. I felt okay playing with that stack size. I’ve gone on big runs with a lot less. But if I called and was right, I felt like I just won this tournament here and now. As Larry Bird said, “So, who’s coming in second?”
“You got it,” said Kazi as he held his cards out. I showed 8♠8♥ for two pair, earning a big pot right before break as Kazi mucked.
This was not a hand Kazi was expecting to lose to, and the shock on his face was visible. More than one person told me, “Amazing call.” I just crossed the 1M chip mark, which signified I had the chip lead – a lead from that point on that I would never give it up.
*Vernon Yoder is eliminated in 9th Place ($2,621).
Level 18: Blinds 10k/15k/15k ante
As important as the pots you win are the hands you minimize your losses with. Next to the pocket 8s hand this one is up there as one of my best played hands on the day.
I opened A♣J♣ to 30k from the cutoff, Kazi Hossain make the call in the small blind, Jamie Thomas came along in the big blind. We all checked the 5♣9♠8♣ flop (pot: 105k). This looks like a near mandatory c-bet to some, but I felt this hit both of my villains’ ranges hard. A bet here could be burning big blinds, and I could easily be check-raised off of my equity. I checked hoping to see a good turn card.
Kazi led out for 30k on the 8♦ turn (pot: 105k), and Jamie moved all-in for his last 105k. I folded before Kazi made the quick call.
This was not the turn card I ordered. Easy but heartbreaking fold with this action.
Jamie Thomas: 7♠6♦
Kazi Hossain: A♦8♥
Jamie showed down his straight, with the T♥ river confirming his double up through Kazi.
In a hand where I could have lost a lot more, I ended up losing a mere 30k (2BB) and maintained a good chip lead because I didn’t get ahead of myself. Major win in my book.
Level 18: Blinds 10k/15k/15k ante
Josh Swails moved all-in for 270k from UTG, I called in the hijack. Everyone else folded.
Josh Swails: 4♠4♥
James Cloutier: 9♠9♥
Josh’s inferior pocket pair was unable to hit the K♦Q♥3♠5♥2♦ board, and he got eliminated in 8th place for $3,115.
I consider this to be a standard call by me. I was a bit surprised Josh jammed 18bb with 44 UTG.
*Jamie Thomas is eliminated in 7th Place ($3,830).
Level 19: Blinds 10k/20k/20k ante
Jack Baldauff and I started the hand with about 1.2M & 1.25M chips respectfully, likely the closest anyone got to me since the break. Earlier we played a hand where I had AQ on a Q63 flop three-ways, Jack called my one-third pot c-bet with 99. He caught a 9 on the turn and just called my two-thirds pot turn bet. The 8 river checked through, as I felt that I ran out of value to bet the river. He won that hand, but the memory of that hand shaped how I played this one.
I opened to 40k with K♥Q♥ in middle position before Jack three-bet to 90k from the small blind. This is a standard open and defend to that small three-bet size when I’m in position.
We see a Q♠9♦K♠ flop (pot: 210k), and Jack continued for 60k. I raised to 160k, and Jack called. I should have sized up my raise here to 225k-250k. It’s a size I’d like for value or bluffs, so I consider my smaller sized bet a minor mistake.
Jack checked the 8♠ turn to me (pot: 530k), and I bet 200k. Jack made the call.
This is a bad card for my hand when he continues flop. He should have the ace of spade a lot but it’s A♠Ax, A♠Kx, A♠X♠. This bet with this player is designed to let me get to showdown at my price if a blank comes, because I expect him to check out of position close to 100% as a trap or if he has a marginal value hand that I beat. If he leads river on a fourth spade or a blank, I can fold. If he check-raised me on the turn, I can fold because he hadn’t done that all day as a bluff. I reasoned that he wouldn’t start now against the chip leader? It would be both out of character for him and ICM suicide to run a big bluff here with shorter stacks in play (i.e. he’d be losing a lot of real money value for the possible chips won/loss). I also don’t think he had 99 here. He hadn’t shown up with a lot of three-bets pre yet, and I think 99 would be marginal for him in this situation. I deflected sets of kings and queens to one combo of each.
The Q♣ river (pot: 930k) completed the board. Jack checked and quickly called after I counted out a bet of 315k. I tabled K♥Q♥ for a full house, while Jack showed A♠J♠ for a flush.
I was fortunate to get a card that I could bet for value. I just had to find a size to get paid with. Judging by the speed of the call, I left chips on the table. But I wasn’t just targeting only flushes here. He still has a few other hands that get to the river that I’m trying to get a crying call from. I wouldn’t go much bigger if I had a do-over; I’d likely have bet 400k to 450k maximum.
Level 19: Blinds 10k/20k/20k ante
Adam Fraley opened to 40k from the hijack, I called from the button with Q♦7♦, Kazi Hossain called from the big blind.
I don’t mind taking QX suited for a flop from the button when I have chips if I think I can take hands away from the original opener. However, having Kazi in the hand as well isn’t ideal.
Kazi checked the 3♣9♥J♠ flop (pot: 150k) from the big blind, and Adam followed by tapping the table to signify a check in the hijack. I checked.
I should have been starting my bluff here if I’m going to bluff. This was my first mistake.
The dealer flipped over the 6♣ turn (pot: 150k). Action checked to me again, and I slid out a bet of 65k. Kazi tossed in a call before Adam folded.
This screams that Kazi hit the 6. Meaning his other card is either an ace or in the neighborhood of the 6 (i.e., likely he’s also holding a 4 through 8).
Kasi checked the 8♥ river (pot: 280k), and I sized up to 165k. Kasi confirmed the bet size before tossing in a call.
This is a terrible card for me to bluff on, which is my second mistake. Bluntly, my story made no sense. My sizing is out of line from almost everything I’d done on the final table, which was my third mistake. Finally, I picked the wrong player to try and bluff off of a middling hand, which was my fourth mistake.
I tabled Q♦7♦, while Kasi took the pot with 8♣6♠ for two pair.
Kazi deserved to have my chips that hand. I don’t mind advertising that I have bluffs in my game when I get called; however, this was just poorly executed. Onto the next one.
*The following players are eliminated: Adam Williams in 6th Place ($4,879) and Jack Baldauff in 5th Place ($6,411).
Level 22: Blinds 20k/40k/40k ante
Action folded to me in the small blind, and I moved all-in. Kazi called his short stack in the big blind, and the cards were turned face up.
Kazi Hossain: K♦J♦
James Cloutier: A♥J♣
I had Kazi out pipped, and I held through the Q♦8♠9♥6♥7♥ runout to secure the elimination and bring the tournament down to three players. This ended Kazi run in 4th place for $8,699.
This hand is a standard 10bb or lower chip effective stack small blind verses big blind shove preflop and call.
Level 22: Blinds 20k/40k/40k ante
I opened to 85k on the button, and Adam Fraley moved all-in from the small blind for 375k. Dan Gerard announced, “All-in” from the big blind, and I got out of the way by folding.
Adam Fraley: A♠J♦
Dan Gerard: J♣J♥
Dan had Adam dominated and held through the 3♦5♥Q♥6♦5♠ runout to take down the pot. Fraley was eliminated in third place for $12,167, leaving Dan and myself to battle heads up.
Heads Up and Chopping
Dan asked me about a deal as heads up play was about to begin. I would have played it out, but I was willing to do business with Dan. Candidly, I would have done business with anyone there if they asked; everyone I interacted with that day earned my respect with how they carried themselves.
After some discussion, we reached a deal. Dan took home $20,539. I got $23,278, the ring, and the invite to Thunder Valley at the end of the year.
Conclusion
It’s easy to gush over an event or a series when you win the Main Event, but I honestly had so few complaints from the week at Penn National and how well RunGood handled the week. The staff were amazing all around, and the people I met along the way were incredible.
If you are ever looking for a series with an incredible vibe, look for when RunGood is coming into your neck of the woods.
As for me, following the win, I had so many people reach out to me showing an overwhelming amount of support that my feelings about it have been hard to put into words. In the poker community, knowing that you are seen for who you are, you are appreciated for what you put out into the world, and this game brings a whole host of interesting individuals together for a variety of reasons. You can bet on it.
Enjoy the game, enjoy the ride, and have some laughs along the way.
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