Professional "fish" wins the RGPS Tunica 2025 Main Event

Famous angler Joshua Butler scored a sensational victory in the main event of the RunGood Poker Series Grand Prix Tunica 2025, outlasting 626 opponents.

Professional sport fisherman Joshua Butler scored a surprising and impressive victory in the Main Event of the RunGood Poker Series Grand Prix Tunica 2025. For Butler, an Alabama native, this was his first major achievement in poker, although in the world of sport fishing he has long been known as an experienced professional. Despite having minimal experience in live poker—before this tournament he had played in only two live events—Butler managed to outplay 626 opponents and win the top prize of $49,282, as well as the prestigious RGPS ring. How the Tournament Unfolded: Structure, Format, and Final Results The RGPS Grand Prix Tunica 2025 Main Event attracted an impressive number of participants—627 entries at a $600 buy-in, which created a prize pool of $326,040 and significantly exceeded the $200,000 guarantee. The tournament was held at Horseshoe Tunica, located on the banks of the Mississippi River, and lasted two days. On the final day, the top 76 players returned to the tables to compete for the main prize and the champion’s title. The final table lasted about 14 hours, becoming a true test of endurance for all the finalists. In the end, Butler managed to win heads-up against Hamid Izadi, claiming the main trophy and the largest payout of the tournament. Final Table Results of the RGPS Grand Prix Tunica 2025 1st place — Joshua Butler — $49,282* 2nd place — Hamid Izadi — $39,000* 3rd place — David Jackson — $38,000* 4th place — Ryan Tepen — $18,000 5th place — Michael Monaghan — $13,500 6th place — Michael Lech — $10,000 7th place — John Holley — $8,000 8th place — John Gallaher — $6,500 9th place — Andrew Brinkley — $5,500 *The prizes for 1st-3rd places were adjusted by agreement among the three finalists for a flatter payout structure. Parallels Between Poker and Sport Fishing: The Winner’s Perspective After the tournament, Joshua Butler shared that his experience as a professional fisherman proved useful at the poker table. According to him, in both disciplines—fishing and poker—it’s important to keep your cool and not lose faith in success, even when the situation seems hopeless. Butler noted that in fishing, everything can change with one lucky cast—just as in poker, one big hand can turn the course of a tournament. He emphasized that the key to success is patience, the ability to control your emotions, and to keep grinding even in tough conditions. “You’re never truly out,” Butler shared. “In fishing, you’re always one bite away from success, and in poker—one big hand. The main thing is to stay calm and keep fighting.” The Road to Victory: Emotions and Support from Loved Ones The final table was a real marathon for Butler: the battle for the title lasted about 14 hours. After his victory, he admitted that he felt both incredibly happy and very tired. “It was a real test, but I just tried to put myself in the best spots and hope for some luck,” he said about his strategy for the final day. Butler especially valued the presence of his wife and friends, who supported him at the final table. He noted that this moment meant a lot to him, as it was only the third live tournament of his life. “It’s incredible to share such a success with loved ones. We’ll never forget this,” the champion admitted. What’s Next? The Winner’s Plans for the Future Having won nearly $50,000 in prize money, Butler has not made any concrete plans yet, but he does not rule out trying his hand at other poker tournaments. He said he is open to new opportunities and may go on a poker tour to see where his new passion will take him. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players Joshua Butler’s success story is a clear example that even a player with minimal live tournament experience can achieve significant results if they have patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new situations. For PPPoker club members, this is a great motivation not to be afraid to try new formats and tournaments, even if you’ve only played online before. Poker, like sport fishing, requires the ability to stay calm and not give up after setbacks. Butler proved that discipline and perseverance can lead to success even at the biggest series. Participating in PPPoker club tournaments is an excellent opportunity to develop these qualities and prepare for more serious competitions. Finally, Butler’s story is a reminder: the support of friends and loved ones, as well as the ability to enjoy every stage of your poker journey, makes the road to victory much brighter. Don’t miss the chance to share your successes with like-minded people in PPPoker clubs and don’t be afraid to set ambitious goals!