A local player from Aruba won $29,000 and an RGPS gold ring

Vincenti Cham became the champion of the RunGood Poker Series in Aruba, outlasting 404 opponents and winning $29,116 and an RGPS gold ring.

For the first time in history, the popular RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) took place on the sunny beaches of the Caribbean, bringing together players from all over the world at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Over four days, 404 participants battled for the championship title and a share of the $133,320 prize pool in the $400 RunGood in Aruba Ring Event . The main star of the event was local player Vincenti Cham, who not only won the RGPS gold ring but also took home the top prize of $29,116. Series and Tournament Overview The RunGood Poker Series is a well-known poker tour that regularly holds stops around the world. In 2024, the organizers chose the luxurious Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino for the first time, which helped draw attention not only to the series but also to Aruba’s poker community. The $400 buy-in tournament attracted 404 entries, creating a solid $133,320 prize pool—a significant amount for a regional event. Over four days, players made their way through qualifying days and stages until the final day, when the top 42 returned to the tables. Among them were representatives from various countries, but it was the local players who proved most successful: both RGPS rings awarded at this stop stayed on the island. Vincenti Cham’s Road to Victory Vincenti Cham is a well-known figure in Aruba’s poker community. Over his career, he has already won more than $200,000 in live tournaments held on his home island. This success allowed him to take the top spot on Aruba’s all-time money list, surpassing his student Pieter Susebeek. After his victory, Cham shared his emotions: he emphasized how important the support of the local community is to him and proudly mentioned that he’s been playing poker for over 25 years. Three years ago, he won the WSOP-C Main Event here with a $1,700 buy-in. Now, by winning the RGPS ring, he once again proved the strength of Aruban players. Cham joked, “If you come to my island, the money should stay here.” Cham also said he plans to give the ring he won to his son, but hopes to add more trophies to his collection in the coming days. He stressed that he plans to play in the series’ Main Event, though he knows it won’t be easy: “It’s a real challenge, but I love playing big pots—that’s the only way to build a big stack.” Key Moments of the Final Day The final day of the tournament started at a fast pace: in the early levels, players like Tyler Boyer (41st place, $1,180), Lisa Roberts (38th place), and La Sengphet (31st place) were eliminated. When fewer than 20 players remained, the competition became more intense. Among those who didn’t reach the final table were well-known players: Ronnie Bardah (18th place, $1,239), Tim Acker (16th place, $1,373), and Kris Burchfield (11th place, $1,856). The top ten gathered at the final table, where the chip leader was Michael Baumann. He continued to dominate, scoring three of the first four eliminations by knocking out Suru Patel (10th place, $1,856), Todd Dunlop (8th place, $2,829), and Joseph Connor (7th place, $3,646). Among the early bustouts were also Evgenii Tsatskin (9th place, $2,258) and Steven Dechello (6th place, $4,831). The final five struggled for a long time before the next elimination, until Michael Killory lost the biggest pot of the tournament so far: he went all-in on the turn with top pair, but Cham already had a set. After that, Cham became the clear favorite to win. Next to go was Ernest Bush, who shoved 22 big blinds with KJ against Baumann’s button open, but ran into aces and was drawing dead by the turn. After that, Maher Al Mouselly made a 4-bet all-in with AQ, but ran into Cham’s QQ and couldn’t improve, finishing in third place. Heads-Up: Cham vs. Baumann In the final showdown, Cham and Baumann started with roughly even stacks. For about half an hour, they traded small pots until Cham pulled ahead by making trips against Baumann’s top pair and getting paid on the river. The decisive hand came when Cham opened from the button with pocket kings and Baumann shoved with queens. Another king hit the flop, and the tournament was decided by the turn. After the game ended, the opponents hugged, and Cham celebrated his victory with friends and supporters. Final Table Payouts for the $400 RunGood in Aruba 1st place: Vincenti Cham — $29,116 2nd place: Michael Baumann — $19,900 3rd place: Maher Al Mouselly — $14,330 4th place: Ernest Bush — $10,432 5th place: Michael Killory — $7,682 6th place: Steven Dechello — $4,831 7th place: Joseph Connor — $3,646 8th place: Todd Dunlop — $2,829 9th place: Evgenii Tsatskin — $2,258 10th place: Suru Patel — $1,856 Additional Results and Statistics Payouts in the tournament started from 42nd place, with the minimum prize being $1,180. Among the notable players who cashed were: Tyler Boyer — 41st place, $1,180 Lisa Roberts — 38th place La Sengphet — 31st place Ronnie Bardah — 18th place, $1,239 Tim Acker — 16th place, $1,373 Kris Burchfield — 11th place, $1,856 The total prize pool for the tournament was $133,320, which is an excellent result for RGPS’s debut stop in Aruba. Interestingly, both series rings stayed with local players, highlighting the high level of poker on the island. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players This news can be a great motivation for PPPoker club players. First, Vincenti Cham’s example shows that regular practice and active participation in local tournaments can lead to major success even at international series. It’s important not only to play online but also to take advantage of live tournaments if they’re available in your region. Second, the tournament structure—with a relatively small buy-in ($400) and a large prize pool ($133,320)—demonstrates that even with moderate investment, you can aim for solid winnings. This is especially relevant for PPPoker club players, where tournaments with similar buy-ins and prize pools are held regularly. Finally, it’s worth paying attention to the strategic elements that led Cham to victory: smart play in big pots, confident use of stack advantage, and the ability to stay focused until the very last hand. By analyzing such tournaments, PPPoker players can improve their game and achieve new results both online and offline.