The RunGood Poker Series is heading to Florida with a $300,000 guaranteed Main Event. RGPS Jacksonville runs from October 21 to November 1, 2026 at bestbet Jacksonville, with 11 ring events across 10 days, according to PokerNews' schedule report. The $1,200 Main Event offers three starting flights between October 29 and 31 and a finale on November 1.
For US live players, particularly in the Southeast, this is one of the most significant stops of the late-autumn calendar. Here is what is on the schedule, how it compares with the series' recent stops and how to plan your trip.
Schedule Overview
The key details:
- Venue: bestbet Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida
- Dates: October 21 to November 1, 2026
- Structure: 11 ring events over 10 days
- Main Event: $1,200 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed
- Main Event flights: October 29, 30 and 31
- Main Event finale: November 1
Satellites run throughout the series, and there are daily $100 "Flip and Go" events. PokerNews will provide live coverage of the Main Event.
The Ring Events to Know
The programme is built around variety. The highlights listed by PokerNews include:
- $200 Ladies No-Limit Hold'em on October 21, the opening day
- $400 PokerNews PowerStack, with a $200,000 guarantee and multiple flights from October 22 to 25
- $300 Big O/8 on October 26
- $300 Double Board PLO/NLH on October 27
- $660 NLH 6-Max on October 28
- $500 The BESTBET 500 on November 1
The mix of games is unusually wide for a regional series. Big O/8 and Double Board PLO/NLH give Omaha players dedicated events at modest buy-ins, while the 6-Max event is a different experience from full-ring tournaments. If you play mostly no-limit hold'em, the PowerStack and the Main Event are the best targets.
Fitting the Series Into the RGPS Pattern
The RunGood Poker Series has built its reputation on mid-priced events with sizeable guarantees at casinos across the United States. Our earlier coverage of the RGPS Golden Expedition in Jacksonville covered the announcement. Recent news from the same tour includes Michael Barlow's win in the RGPS Lake Erie Main Event in Ohio, which PokerNews headlined as being decided by a "nine card flip."
The pattern is consistent. Buy-ins sit in the $200 to $1,200 range, fields are mostly recreational and the guarantees are large relative to the buy-ins. A $300,000 guarantee at $1,200 requires 250 entries to cover, and the actual numbers will not be known until the Main Event plays.
Why Florida Matters
Florida is one of the largest poker-playing states in the country, with an established live scene. bestbet Jacksonville is among its better-known cardrooms. Because online poker is not legally regulated in the state, live events carry extra importance for local players, who have fewer alternatives. That is a general feature of US poker: players in states without regulated online poker rely on live rooms and, for online play, offshore sites. Our US poker sites page explains the options for US residents, and our online poker vs live poker article compares the two formats.
How to Plan Your Series
Pick your target events
If your bankroll is limited, avoid trying to play everything. Choose two or three events that suit your game. For example, a no-limit hold'em player might focus on the $400 PowerStack and the $1,200 Main Event, while an Omaha specialist might target the Big O/8 and Double Board PLO/NLH events.
Budget properly
A series of this length can be expensive once you add travel and accommodation. Setting a clear budget is the best protection against overspending. Our bankroll management guide has a framework for tournament players.
Use the satellites
Satellites throughout the series offer cheaper entries into the bigger events. They are a way to turn a small stake into a larger one, with the usual risk that you finish just outside the money.
Choose the right flight
With three Main Event flights, you can enter based on your schedule. Many players prefer the later flights because they can watch how the field is developing, though they leave less time for re-entry if they bust. Check the exact re-entry rules before you decide.
Strategy: Playing Mid-Priced Deep-Stack Events
Events such as the $400 PowerStack and the $1,200 Main Event typically reward patience and position. A few useful principles:
- Value bet thinly. Recreational players in these fields often call too much, which makes thin value bets profitable.
- Use fewer bluffs against calling stations. Bluffing is not always the right play. Our how to bluff guide explains when to bluff and when to avoid it.
- Read the table. Live tells and betting patterns can give extra information; see poker tells.
- Know your equity. Making accurate decisions in all-in situations matters. Tools such as the poker odds calculator help build intuition.
If you want a broader foundation, see our Texas Hold'em page.
What It Means for Players
RGPS Jacksonville is an affordable series with a large Main Event guarantee and plenty of variety. For Florida players it offers a rare chance to play a high-guarantee series close to home. For travelling players it combines a mid-sized buy-in with a long enough schedule to play several events.
It is also a good test of the RunGood model. Series with modest buy-ins and sizeable guarantees depend on recreational turnout. If the Jacksonville Main Event reaches or exceeds the $300,000 guarantee, it will be another sign that regional live poker remains healthy in the United States.
Bottom Line
Mark October 21 to November 1 if you are in the Southeast. With 11 rings, a $200,000 PowerStack and a $300,000 guaranteed Main Event, RGPS Jacksonville gives players a wide range of ways to compete. As always, confirm the latest details on the official schedule before you travel, play within your bankroll and enjoy the series.