The RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) Golden Expedition is heading to Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with more than $216,000 in guaranteed prize money across eight trophy events. The stop runs from November 17 to 22, 2026, and is anchored by an $800 Main Event with a $111,000 guarantee, according to PokerNews. A $400-per-team Tag Team Championship with a $40,000 guarantee adds a distinctive format. Here is the schedule, the key events and what mid-stakes players should consider before registering.
The headline events
Main Event: $800, $111,000 guaranteed. The Main Event has four starting flights: Flight A on Friday, November 20 at 11 a.m., Flight B the same day at 5 p.m., and Flights C and D on Saturday, November 21 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Day 2 restarts Sunday, November 22 at noon. With four flights, players can pick the start time that suits them and, depending on the entry rules, re-enter if they bust. PokerNews will provide live reporting from the Main Event.
Tag Team Championship: $400 per team, $40,000 guaranteed. Two players share a team at $200 each. Flight A runs Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. and Flight B on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m., with the Day 2 restart on Thursday, November 19 at 6 p.m. The prize is a pair of RunGood rings. It is the largest guarantee outside the Main Event in the series.
Seniors Ring Event (50+): $250, $20,000 guaranteed. Opening the series on Tuesday at 9 a.m., this is a popular format for older players who prefer a more relaxed field.
PokerNews PowerStack NLH Ring Event: $300, $20,000 guaranteed. Scheduled Wednesday, November 18 at 10 a.m.
Full schedule at a glance
| Date | Time | Event | Buy-in | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 17 | 9 a.m. | Seniors Ring Event (50+) | $250 | $20,000 |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 1 p.m. | Series Opener Ring Event | $250 | $10,000 |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 7 p.m. | Tag Team Championship Flight A | $400/team | $40,000 |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 10 a.m. | PokerNews PowerStack NLH | $300 | $20,000 |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 2 p.m. | Limit Omaha Ring Event | $300 | None listed |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 7 p.m. | Tag Team Championship Flight B | $400/team | $40,000 |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 10 a.m. | One-Day NLH Ring Event | $300 | None listed |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 2 p.m. | Pot-Limit Omaha | $300 | None listed |
| Fri, Nov 20 | 11 a.m. | Main Event Flight A | $800 | $111,000 |
| Fri, Nov 20 | 5 p.m. | Main Event Flight B | $800 | — |
| Sat, Nov 21 | 11 a.m. | Main Event Flight C | $800 | — |
| Sat, Nov 21 | 5 p.m. | Main Event Flight D | $800 | — |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 10 a.m. | Turbo NLH Ring Event | $200 | $5,000 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 12 p.m. | Main Event Day 2 Restart | — | — |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 1 p.m. | Series Sendoff NLH Ring Event | $400 | $10,000 |
PokerNews notes that its text calls one event "Limit Omaha Hi-Lo" while the schedule table lists "Limit Omaha/8", so check the final listing at registration.
Satellites: a cheaper route to the Main Event
For players who do not want to pay $800 outright, the series offers $190 Main Event satellites that award one seat for every five entries. They are scheduled for Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m., Friday, November 20 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. Package satellites are also available. The satellite structure is a standard way for a regional tour to grow the main field, and for players it converts a $190 outlay into a shot at $800 worth of equity.
Why the structure matters
Regional tours like RunGood have built their reputation on predictable, mid-stakes events that reward consistent players. The mix here is a good example of the approach: low-to-mid buy-ins for ring events, a flagship Main Event with a respectable guarantee and a novelty event in the Tag Team format. Several tournaments list no guarantee, which usually means the prize pool depends on turnout.
The guarantees themselves are worth understanding. A $111,000 guarantee on an $800 buy-in means the operator needs roughly 139 entries to break even before rake, since 139 times $800 is about $111,200. Actual rake structures vary and the article does not break down fees, so treat that as a rough guide to how many entries the guarantee implies. If fewer players enter, the venue covers the gap, an overlay that benefits the field. For a closer look at that dynamic, see our analysis of tournament overlay strategy.
What this means for players
Pick the right flight. With four starting flights, late flights often give you information about the field size. Early flights let you finish Day 1 and rest. Neither is automatically better, so choose based on how you play.
Know your tag team partner. Tag team events reward coordination. Agree on how you will swap, how aggressive to be, and how to communicate about reads. If you are new to the format, a few practice sessions in a home game are worth the effort.
Bankroll the buy-ins. A week in Council Bluffs could cost thousands if you play several events. Our bankroll management guide explains how many buy-ins to hold for each stakes level, and the cash games vs tournaments comparison helps you decide how much of your play should be multi-table events.
Study the format. If you are heading from online to live, our page on online poker vs live poker explains the differences in pace, tells and etiquette. Brushing up on poker tells and Texas Hold'em fundamentals will pay off at the felt, and the Omaha guide helps if you plan to play the PLO and Limit Omaha events.
Practice online first
If you want to sharpen your tournament game before travelling, online tournaments are the cheapest way to build volume. Our tournaments page and the real money poker guide cover sites with regular guaranteed events, and reviews such as Americas Cardroom and BetOnline detail what US players can access. As always, check the rules for your jurisdiction before depositing.
Other RunGood stops this month
RunGood is running a busy November, with other stops on the fall calendar. Our coverage of the RunGood fall swing lists additional dates, and you can find the RunGood San Diego stop at Jamul Casino running the same week, from November 17 to 22. Players who want to compare structures can look at both.
Bottom line
RGPS Council Bluffs offers $216,000 in guarantees, an $800 Main Event with $111,000 guaranteed and a $40,000 Tag Team Championship, with satellites from $190. It is a solid regional stop for mid-stakes players. Check the final schedule, plan your bankroll and consider practising online beforehand.
Source: PokerNews, "Over $216K Guaranteed as RunGood Heads to Horseshoe Council Bluffs," November 2026.