John Gribben Wins the Mini Main Event for $30,000
While PokerNews is focused on bringing you live updates from the $600 Main Event, we also wanted to share some winner news from earlier in the Run It Up Reno IX. There have been several champions crowned at the Peppermill, and tens of thousands of dollars awarded.
“Eighty-five into thirty-thousand!” That was the exclamation of John Gribben as he hoisted the $440 Mini Main Event trophy at Run It Up Reno IX.
Gribben won his way into the 409-entry tournament by way of an $85 satellite Friday, bagging Saturday’s Day 1 flight and grinding his way to the tournament victory on Day 2 Sunday. Gribben took home $30,000 for the first-place finish, the biggest score of his career.
“How can I put it into words? It’s f***ing incredible,” said an elated Gribben. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been trying to get to this spot for a while.”
Gribben, who’s currently living in his van and traveling to play poker, scored his second five-figure cash of the past month with the win. He outlasted runner-up Chris Lindner in heads-up play, with Lindner taking home $18,600 for the second-place finish.
“I live in my van now, and I travel around. My goal was to play poker for a living, and live in my van. And reduce my life overhead to so little that I could play poker. And not be great at it, but be good at it. This helps a lot.”
Opening Event Final Table Results
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Gribben | United States | $30,000 |
| 2 | Chris Lindner | United States | $18,600 |
| 3 | Alex Conatser | United States | $12,440 |
| 4 | Albert Ng | United States | $9,070 |
| 5 | Lucas Hill | United States | $7,020 |
| 6 | Ricky Guan | United States | $5,700 |
| 7 | Bill Richter | United States | $4,720 |
| 8 | Michael Hanelin | United States | $3,907 |