Shawn Sparks Wins RGPS Global Championship
Shawn Sparks is the winner of the first-ever Run Good Poker Series Global Championship.
He won a massive pot and knocked out two players when he was the third person all in against Eric Bunch and Shane Fuller. Sparks hit a queen on the river to win the pot and eliminate both Bunch and Fuller and take the chip lead four-handed.
He entered the day as the chip leader and managed to earn himself the most money once Lauren Bunch was eliminated in fourth place. Sparks, Tim Krisher and John Heckenkamp found themselves with fairly even stacks and decided to chop three ways, but throw Sparks a little more for holding the chip lead.
Sparks bested a field of 159 players who had three starting flights to qualify for Day 2. The final table resumed today with seven players and the tournament went almost two whole levels before the first elimination.
After Lauren Bunch doubled twice in a row, Cash Carpenter doubled as well, but eventually fell in seventh place after getting pocket tens in against Heckenkamp's aces.
Fuller and Bunch would be next to go shortly after Carpenter hit the rail and Lauren Bunch followed soon after in fourth place.
Sparks takes home $21,417 and the specially-made Run Good chip set and case, while Heckenkamp and Krisher each take home $20,416.
Left to right: Tim Krisher, Shawn Sparks, and John Heckenkamp
This is Sparks second recorded cash. Earlier this year, he won $13,284 and a WSOP circuit ring in a $365 No-Limit Hold'em ring event at the March 2018 WSOP Circuit stop in Tulsa, OK.
Below is a list of the full payouts:
| Payouts | Name | Prize |
| 1st | Shawn Sparks | $21,417 |
| 2nd | John Heckenkamp | $20,416 |
| 3rd | Tim Krisher | $20,416 |
| 4th | Lauren Bunch | $8,258 |
| 5th | Eric Bunch | $6,160 |
| 6th | Shane Fuller | $4,675 |
| 7th | Cash Carpenter | $3,608 |
| 8th | Justin Gardenhire | $2,830 |
| 9th | Brandon Butler | $2,257 |
| 10th | Scott Buller | $1,828 |
| 11th | Robert Shuptrine | $1,828 |
| 12th | Jules Cornelius | $1,828 |
| 13th | Eric Thompson | $1,505 |
| 14th | Neil Peters | $1,505 |
| 15th | Cody Pack | $1,505 |
| 16th | Grant Hinkle | $1,258 |
| 17th | Ron Miller | $1,258 |
| 18th | Blair Hinkle | $1,258 |
That's a wrap for the tournament poker portion of the RGPS Global Championship cruise, but there is still a whole day on the ship for the Run Good Crew to celebrate a successful season. You can follow the fun on Twitter and make sure you join us for our next, currently unscheduled, cruise!