Local player from Aruba wins $29,000 and an RGPS ring in the Caribbean

Vincenti Cham became the champion of the RunGood Poker Series stop in Aruba, defeating 404 entrants and taking home the top prize of $29,116 and the championship ring.

From June 4 to 7, 2024, the picturesque beaches of the Caribbean Sea hosted a RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) stop for the first time ever — the $400 RunGood in Aruba Ring Event. The tournament welcomed guests at the luxurious Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, bringing together 404 players from around the world. The prize pool reached an impressive $133,320, and the winner was Aruba’s own Vincenti Cham, who not only took home the top prize of $29,116 and the champion’s ring, but also solidified his status as the island’s leading poker professional. RunGood Poker Series Debuts in Aruba: A Tournament to Remember The RunGood Poker Series is a popular poker tour known for its affordable buy-ins and friendly atmosphere. For the first time, an RGPS stop was held in the Caribbean, specifically on the white-sand beaches of Aruba. The $400 buy-in event drew 404 entries, creating a solid prize pool of $133,320. Over four days, players battled not only for cash prizes but also for the prestigious RGPS ring, traditionally awarded to the winner. On the final day, 42 players from various countries and continents competed for the title. However, it was local pro Vincenti Cham who emerged victorious, giving the entire Aruban poker community a reason to celebrate. This success allowed Cham to surpass $200,000 in live tournament winnings earned exclusively in Aruba, and to claim the top spot in the island’s all-time money list, overtaking his student Pieter Susebeek. The Road to Victory: How the Final Day Unfolded The final day of the tournament began with quick eliminations: early on, Tyler Boyer (41st place, $1,180), Lisa Roberts (38th place), and La Sengphet (31st place) exited the event. As the final table approached, the competition grew even more intense. Among those who missed the top 10 were well-known players like Ronnie Bardah (18th place, $1,239), Tim Acker (16th place, $1,373), and Kris Burchfield (11th place, $1,856). At the ten-handed final table, Michael Baumann was the clear chip leader. He managed to knock out three opponents in the first four hands: Suru Patel (10th place, $1,856), Todd Dunlop (8th place, $2,829), and Joseph Connor (7th place, $3,646). Also leaving the final table early were Evgenii Tsatskin (9th place, $2,258) and Steven Dechello (6th place, $4,831). The final five were determined after a big hand between Cham and Michael Killory. On the turn, Killory made top pair, but Cham already had a set, and all the chips went into the middle. This was the biggest pot of the tournament so far, and Killory finished in fifth place. Soon after, Ernest Bush was eliminated: he shoved his 22 big blinds with king-jack against Baumann’s button open, but ran into aces and was drawing dead by the turn — finishing in fourth place. Third place went to Maher Al Mouselly from Canada, who 4-bet all-in with ace-queen against Cham’s queens. The board didn’t help the Canadian, and heads-up began with nearly even stacks. Heads-Up: The Decisive Duel Between Cham and Baumann In the final showdown, Vincenti Cham and Michael Baumann started with equal stacks. For about half an hour, the players exchanged small pots, avoiding big risks. The turning point came when Cham made trips and got paid on the river against Baumann’s top pair, allowing him to take the lead. Soon after, the key hand occurred: Cham raised from the button with pocket kings, Baumann shoved with queens. Another king hit the flop, leaving Baumann drawing dead by the turn. That ended his impressive run, and Cham claimed victory and well-deserved recognition. After the tournament, the opponents shared a hug, and Vincenti Cham mentioned he plans to give the winning ring to his son, but hopes to add more trophies to his collection in the future. Final Table Results of the $400 RunGood in Aruba Place Player Prize ($) 1 Vincenti Cham 29,116 2 Michael Baumann 18,002 3 Maher Al Mouselly 13,012 4 Ernest Bush 9,524 5 Michael Killory 7,071 6 Steven Dechello 4,831 7 Joseph Connor 3,646 8 Todd Dunlop 2,829 9 Evgenii Tsatskin 2,258 10 Suru Patel 1,856 Winner’s Quotes and Emotions: An Inside Look After his victory, Vincenti Cham shared his emotions, saying he was very happy with the result and proud that both rings won in the series stayed with Aruban players. He emphasized his connection to the local poker community, noting that he has been playing for over 25 years and previously won the WSOP Circuit Main Event here with a $1,700 buy-in. Cham added with a smile that when a tournament is held on his island, it only makes sense for the prize money to stay at home. The winner also spoke about his plans for the rest of the series, expressing his desire to repeat his success in the Main Event, though he admitted it would not be easy: "It’s a real test of endurance." According to Cham, his strategy is to play big pots, as that’s the only way to build a big stack and contend for the win. Cham also mentioned that he would give the winning ring to his son, but hopes to add more trophies to his collection in the future. Context: The Significance of the Win for Aruba and RGPS Vincenti Cham’s victory holds special meaning for the Aruban poker community. Thanks to this success, he became the island’s all-time money leader, surpassing his student Pieter Susebeek. Interestingly, both championship rings at this RGPS stop were won by local players, highlighting the high level of the Aruban poker school. For the RunGood Poker Series itself, this stop was a milestone: for the first time, a tournament was held in the Caribbean, bringing together players from different countries and continents. The prize pool and level of organization confirmed RGPS’s status as one of the leading series for both amateurs and professionals. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great example of how local players can successfully compete with the global poker community, even at major international series. Vincenti Cham’s experience shows that regular play and participation in local tournaments can take you to the next level and give you a shot at big prizes in prestigious events. Moreover, a tournament with an affordable buy-in ($400) and a large prize pool proves that today’s poker series are open to a wide audience. This means PPPoker club players can set ambitious goals — from winning club events to participating in international series, using their online experience as a springboard for live tournaments. Finally, the success of local players on their home turf is extra motivation for developing local communities and running their own club series. PPPoker clubs can take inspiration from the Aruban community, uniting players and supporting their representatives at every level of the poker hierarchy.