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The $400 PokerNews Cup kicked off at Thunder Valley Casino Resort with 142 entrants taking part in Day 1a, the opening flight of the RunGood Passport Season finale festival. Players are competing for a share of a $250,000 guaranteed prize pool.
After a fast-moving day and a lengthy bubble period, Xiong Thao emerged as the dominant force, using an aggressive approach to build a huge stack as the money bubble approached. Thao ultimately ended the day with 994,000 in chips, nearly 30 percent of all chips in play, and was responsible for bursting the bubble by eliminating Abel Valle.
Trailing well behind in second place is Nabil Zumout, who bagged 569,000 after briefly seizing the chip lead from Thao during a big hand earlier in the day. Fourteen players advanced to Day 2, while four bubble players each secured a $700 min-cash.
The day featured several notable moments, including a royal flush from Zackary Moore, who remained among the chip leaders for hours before a key pot against Dennis Shirron saw him double up his opponent and later bust. Shirron survived the bubble but fell short of a Day 2 bag, alongside Michael Cohen, Andrew Duffy and Harvey Tran, who were eliminated late in the session.
Two-time RGPS Player of the Year Brian Winter fired two bullets without success but can still enter later flights this weekend.
Day 1b begins Friday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m. local time, with Day 1c to follow at 4:00 p.m. for those seeking another shot at the money.
