Cody Bartlett posted a runner-up finish in the 2021 RGPS Council Bluffs Main Event for $24,167. Two years later, Bartlett got to heads up again in the 2023 edition and defeated Ted Forshey for his first RGPS title and a career best score of $63,305.
“It feels amazing,” the new champion said. “I ran really well, played well and good cards really help win poker tournaments.”
Although the heads-up match began with Forshey in the lead, the pots went Bartlett’s way until they had a roughly even match. The final hand occurred when Forshey was on the button with jack-four suited and Bartlett three-bet holding jacks. Forshey moved all in for the rest and Bartlett called to hold up, and the two combatants shook hands. Forshey took home a career-best $44,377 for his runner-up finish.
2023 Council Bluffs Main Event Final Table Results
| Rank | Name | Hometown | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Bartlett | Grand Island, NE | $63,303 |
| 2 | Ted Forshey | Desoto, KS | $44,377 |
| 3 | Joel Brown | Omaha, NE | $28,537 |
| 4 | James Girouard | Sioux Falls, SD | $20,013 |
| 5 | Scott Buller | Lincoln, NE | $15,368 |
| 6 | David Gallimore | Albuquerque, NM | $12,701 |
| 7 | Robbie Kent | Omaha, NE | $10,565 |
| 8 | Jason Crews | Pleasant Hill, IA | $8,436 |
| 9 | Gabe Neighbors | Grinnel, IA | $6,329 |
