Rob Palacios Wins Harrahs North Kansas City RunGood Main Event ($29,833)
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The RunGood Poker tour wrapped up the "End of Summer" series with the Main Event at Harrah's North Kansas City. Following four days of preliminary events, three starting flights drew 252 entrants to the field - blowing the $100,000 guarantee away by $50,000. The final table featured a collection of local players and Rob Palacios survived a swingy final table to win the trophy and $29,833.
"I'm really happy to win, my wife and I are planning on starting a family - this is really going to help," Palacios said. "I played a lot of poker with these guys the past few days and I'm excited to win the trophy."
Palacios entered the final table middle of the road in chips with Ali Zakeri leading the table. Jasen Currie was the first casualty after he shoved with 
, Alex Marler called with pocket eights and the board ran 
.
Joe Becchina, the eldest player at the table, ran out of steam when four players limped to a 
flop. Palacios led out for 60,000, Becchina moved all in for 230,000 and Palacios called with 
. Becchina showed 
, the board finished 
and Becchina was eliminated.
McCracken notched the next elimination when Alex Marler moved in holding pocket queens and McCracken called holding . The board ran 
and all the players threw their hands up when the deuce hit the river to give McCracken the straight.
Carter Clond bowed out next when he caught making a move holding 
. Palacios called his shove with 
, paired his eight and Clond was out.
Justin Brooks was the second player eliminated after finding pocket queens. Palacios picked up another knockout with 
, the board ran 
and Brooks' queens were no good.
Palacios' momentum continued when Tim Woodson moved in with and Palacious made a loose call with . The board ran his way with 
, Palacios made two pair and Woodson was eliminated.
Three-handed play stretched for a while and each player took a turn holding the chip lead. Then Ali Zakeri opened to 100,000 on the button, McCracken called and the flop came 
. McCracken checked, Zakeri bet 150,000, McCracken raised all in and Zakeri called. McCracken had 
, Zakeri turned up 
and the board completed . Zakeri never improved and was out in third place.
Following Zakeri's elimination, Palacios and McCracken took a break to discuss a deal. They came to a quick agreement of a near even split with each guaranteed $28,833 and the winner getting the trophy and additional $1,000.
Heads up play lasted for about 40 minutes with each player holding a large lead at some point. The final hand saw McCracken shove holding 
preflop, Palacios called and tabled 
. The board ran 
, McCracken couldn't beat the queens and finished runner-up.
The Harrah's North Kansas City Main Event was the first time in 2016 that a RunGood Pro didn't make Day 2. Noted pro Cash Carpenter finished in tenth place and was one of six players from the "toughest $40 home game." Mason Hinkle, final tablist Marler, Chris Juul, Craig Dick, Kelly Johnson and Nick Burris rounded out the rest.
The RunGood Poker Series wrapped up the the final planned series. Upcoming stops are in the works and soon as a schedule is announced you'll find all the action on PokerNews.