Erik Bunch wins his fifth RunGood ring at RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa

Eric Bunch claimed victory in the RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event, earning his fifth championship ring and a prize of $50,173. The tournament attracted 341 entrants.

Eric Bunch captures his fifth RunGood championship ring with victory in the RGPS Hard Rock Tulsa Main Event Tournament Results: Eric Bunch Returns to the Top in Tulsa The Main Event of the RunGood Poker Series Golden Expedition, featuring an $800 buy-in, has wrapped up at Hard Rock Tulsa. This time, 341 entrants battled for the title, generating a prize pool of $238,700. Eric Bunch emerged as the champion, claiming the top prize of $50,173 and earning his fifth career RunGood championship ring. This win marks another triumph for Bunch on his home turf: earlier in 2024, he had already taken down the RGPS Main Event in Tulsa. With this latest result, Eric’s total RunGood tournament winnings are now approaching $200,000. Final Table Action: A Battle to the Last Hand The final table was extremely tense and full of unexpected twists. Bunch entered the final as chip leader, eliminating Daniel “Donk” Hughes in 10th place to get things started. However, Eric soon faced stiff resistance. Joshua Brower took a big pot from him with a river shove, forcing Bunch to fold. Shortly after, Rachel Rodgers also took a significant chunk of chips from the future champion, temporarily knocking him down the leaderboard. Rodgers kept her momentum going, knocking out Hanunyah Fish in eighth place and then Drew “BetOnDrew” Gonzalez in seventh. Bunch managed to recover by busting Talon Voight in sixth, but when play was down to four, he was only third in chips. Rachel Rodgers scored another elimination, sending Craig Leopard to the rail. At this point, she led the chip counts, while Bunch and Jonathan Bennett were left fighting for survival. Bunch’s situation worsened when Bennett doubled through him, and Rodgers again bested Eric at showdown. Nevertheless, Bunch showed resilience and, within ten minutes, managed to win back some chips, narrowing the gap to the leader. The turning point came when Jonathan Bennett was eliminated in third place. After that, Bunch entered heads-up against Rodgers as the chip leader. Heads-Up: Rodgers vs. Bunch At the start of the heads-up duel, Rachel Rodgers quickly seized the initiative, building a three-to-one chip lead over Bunch. But Eric didn’t back down: he methodically closed the gap, with the key moment coming when he won a huge pot from Rodgers in a fierce betting war. This swing proved decisive. From there, Bunch kept up the pressure and ultimately sealed the victory, leaving Rodgers as the runner-up. After the tournament, Eric Bunch shared his thoughts, saying the final table was extremely tough and that Rodgers put up a strong fight in heads-up. He noted that he focused on playing his best in every hand and not letting himself “break” under pressure—a strategy that paid off in the end. Final Table Results and Payouts Below is the full list of finalists and their payouts: 1st place: Eric Bunch — $50,173 2nd place: Rachel Rodgers — (amount not specified in the original) 3rd place: Jonathan Bennett 4th place: Craig Leopard 5th place: (name not specified) 6th place: Talon Voight 7th place: Drew “BetOnDrew” Gonzalez 8th place: Hanunyah Fish 9th place: Eldon Penn (name mentioned in tags, but not in the main text) 10th place: Daniel “Donk” Hughes The total prize pool was $238,700, with the winner receiving $50,173—the largest payout of the tournament. Exact prize amounts for the other finalists were not specified in the original. Context: RunGood Poker Series and Hard Rock Tulsa The RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) is a popular poker tour held at various casinos across the United States. The series is known for its accessible buy-ins and a welcoming atmosphere for both professionals and recreational players. The main symbol of victory is the RunGood championship ring, which has become a coveted prize among players. Hard Rock Tulsa consistently attracts the region’s top players and regularly hosts major RGPS events. For Eric Bunch, this venue has been especially fortunate: he has claimed multiple titles here, and his RGPS successes have earned him a reputation as one of the series’ most consistent and accomplished players. Quotes and Impressions from the Players After his win, Eric Bunch remarked that the final table was one of the toughest of his career. He especially praised Rachel Rodgers’ play, noting that she put up fierce resistance in heads-up and never let him relax for a moment. Bunch emphasized that the key to his success was staying composed in tough spots and striving to make the best decisions in every hand, despite the pressure and setbacks. He said he kept reminding himself not to give in to emotions—and that approach paid off. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this story is a clear example that even experienced and decorated players face challenges at the final table. It’s important not only to build your stack, but also to stay calm when things get out of control. The ability to bounce back after setbacks is a key skill that can be developed by regularly playing club tournaments on PPPoker. It’s also worth noting the variety of strategies and the importance of adapting to your opponents’ styles. As the RGPS Tulsa final table showed, even chip leaders can end up as underdogs if they don’t adjust to their opponents’ moves. Use PPPoker club games to work on both your technical skills and the psychological side of poker. Finally, Eric Bunch’s success is a reminder that persistence and consistency pay off. By playing regular series and continually improving your game, any PPPoker club player can reach their own heights—whether in online tournaments or live events.