An amateur won the record-breaking RGPS tournament in Kentucky with his first cash

A historic tournament, the RGPS Golden Expedition, has concluded in Kentucky: amateur player James Brashear won a record prize, securing his first cash.

In early June 2026, the main event of the RGPS Golden Expedition Kentucky series with an $800 buy-in wrapped up in Kentucky. This tournament was a milestone for the region: it marked the first time the RunGood Poker Series stopped in Kentucky, and the final prize pool set a new state record at $424,200. The headline story of the event was Nashville amateur James Brashear , who notched his first-ever live tournament cash. Thanks to a deal at the final table, he took home the largest first-place prize in Kentucky history — $56,804 — along with the coveted RGPS championship ring. Historic Tournament: Records and Atmosphere at the Venue The main event was held at The Barrel Social Club . Organizers ran six starting flights, which drew a total of 606 entries. This not only resulted in the largest prize pool in Kentucky’s history, but also contributed to a unique atmosphere at the venue — staff and players alike remarked on the special nature of the event. For many participants, including James Brashear, this tournament stood out both for the intensity of the competition and the significance of the achievement. On the final day, 74 players who had survived the starting flights returned to the tables. James Brashear began the day in the middle of the chip counts, but managed to build his stack and reached the final table in fifth place out of nine. According to him, once he made the money for the first time, the rest of the tournament was pure enjoyment: “When I picked up my chip bag the night before, that already felt like a win. Everything after that was just a bonus.” The Road to the Final Table: Key Moments and Opponents Among Brashear’s opponents in the late stages were several well-known RunGood Poker Series ambassadors: Heather Alcorn , Preston McEwen , and Craig Welko . Heather Alcorn finished 50th, earning $1,616. Early in the day, Preston McEwen was all-in against Brashear but managed to double up on the river and eventually finished 44th ($1,836). Craig Welko made it to the final two tables and placed 16th, taking home $4,191. For Brashear himself, the tournament played out as smoothly as he could have hoped. He noted that he’d struggled in live tournaments before, but after making the money this time, he was able to play without pressure. “I could have busted at any point after making the money and still would have been happy,” he shared. Climax: The Final Table Deal and Brashear’s Victory At the final table, Brashear continued to build his stack, with the pivotal hand coming when he made a full house to eliminate Maxx Dansky in fifth place. After that, the remaining four — James Brashear, Eric Cunningham , John Mingus , and Christopher Borinsky — began discussing an ICM deal (a method of dividing prize money based on chip stacks). Initially, the plan was to play down to a winner for the RGPS ring, but after Christopher Borinsky was eliminated in fourth place, the final three players reached an additional agreement. As a result, the title and the ring went to James Brashear, and all deal participants received their payouts according to the terms of the deal. Final Table: Results and Payouts Below is the complete final table payout list for the 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition Kentucky $800 Main Event . Prizes marked with an asterisk were determined by the four-way deal: 1. James Brashear* — $56,804 2. Eric Cunningham* — $49,059 3. John Mingus* — $46,287 4. Christopher Borinsky* — $41,181 5. Maxx Dansky — $19,686 6. Andrew Bucaric — $15,425 7. Chen Chen — $12,211 8. Michial Drake — $9,779 9. Scott Bennett — $7,929 The total prize pool for the tournament was $424,200. In all, 74 players made the money. Personal: The Winner’s Emotions and Future Plans For James Brashear, this was not only his first live tournament cash, but also the biggest win of his poker career. He says poker remains a hobby: “I’ve been playing at The Barrel for about a year and a half, and lately I’ve been playing more often. It’s great to see the club growing — both in tournaments and cash games. The organization is excellent, players come from other cities, and the club is really starting to get noticed.” On the day of the final, Brashear kept in touch with his fiancée, who was at her bachelorette party. Because the tournament ran so long, he couldn’t always reply to her messages, and she even thought he had busted. “She’ll find out everything in the morning, and it’ll be a surprise for her,” James said. He plans to use his winnings for their upcoming international wedding, which is set for six weeks from now. He also mentioned that part of the prize money will go toward a gift for his fiancée. As for the championship ring, Brashear plans to have it framed and hang it on the wall as a keepsake: “This might be the only tournament I ever win.” Context: What Are the RunGood Poker Series and The Barrel Social Club? RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) is one of the most popular poker tours in the United States, hosting events across the country. In 2026, the series made its debut in Kentucky, drawing attention to the local poker scene and setting a new record for prize money in the state. The Barrel Social Club , the venue for the tournament, has seen significant growth over the past year and a half — both in the number and quality of tournaments and in the organization of cash games. This has been noted by both participants and the main event winner. The club is quickly becoming a hub for players not only from Kentucky, but from neighboring states as well. Brief Bios of the Finalists and RGPS Ambassadors James Brashear — an amateur player from Nashville, for whom this tournament marked his first live poker cash. Eric Cunningham , John Mingus , Christopher Borinsky — participants in the four-way final table deal, each of whom took home a major payout. Maxx Dansky — finished fifth after being eliminated by Brashear’s full house. Andrew Bucaric , Chen Chen , Michial Drake , Scott Bennett — the other finalists who rounded out the top nine. Heather Alcorn , Preston McEwen , Craig Welko — RGPS ambassadors who made deep runs and finished in the money. Poker Formats and Terms Used in the Tournament Buy-in ($800) — the amount a player pays to enter the tournament. In this case, each entry cost $800. Starting flights — preliminary tournament days, each giving players a chance to qualify for the main day. This event featured six starting flights. ICM (Independent Chip Model) — a mathematical model used to fairly divide prize money among players based on their chip stacks at the time of a deal. Deal — an agreement among the remaining players to split the remaining prize pool according to certain rules, often using ICM. Full house — a poker hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair (for example, three jacks and two sevens). RGPS ring — the trophy awarded to the winner of the RunGood Poker Series main event. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players This story is a clear example that even an amateur with limited live tournament experience can achieve major success by choosing the right event and playing their best game. For PPPoker club members, it’s proof that you don’t have to be a professional or have years of experience to compete for big prizes — what matters is not being afraid to take part and making the most of the opportunities available. It’s also worth paying attention to the ICM deal format, which is often used at the final tables of major tournaments. Mastering this tool can help players secure more consistent and fair results, especially when large prize pools are at stake. By practicing tournaments in PPPoker clubs, you can develop not only your final table strategy but also learn how to negotiate profitable deals. Finally, the example of The Barrel Social Club shows how quickly a poker community can grow with the right organization and player support. PPPoker clubs also strive to create a welcoming atmosphere and expand their player base, opening up new opportunities for everyone — from beginners to seasoned regulars. Keep an eye on the tournament schedule, get involved, and maybe your story will be the next big headline in the poker world.