Run-Good Challenge II: Event 2 Preview

Some people run better than others. To win a normal poker tournament you have to run well. To win the PokerListings.com Run-Good Challenge you have to run like Usain Bolt.

Last week saw Event 1 of the second Run-Good Challenge series play out on PokerStars, and when it was over an unlikely individual had taken first-place honors and the $600 that went with them. I guess we should have seen it coming, since after posting three goose eggs in a row during RGC v.1, the Poker Shrink had a serious surplus of run-good saved up for this one.

Event 1 saw only 14 players make it to their seats, out of a total of 20. I was stuck on a Caribbean island, far from my laptop and pinned down by the pleasures one can only find in paradise. That's my excuse.

I'm sure the other absentees have their own reasons for not making the event, but the 14 who did must have been thankful for the reduced field and increased chances at a payday.

A full rundown of the action can be found here in Dan Skolovy's recap. Amy Calistri and Michele Lewis took the next two money spots after the Shrink, proving once again that women run better than men.

Shrink, Amy and Michele were the only ones to get paid but there was also the matter of the leaderboard points which will eventually determine who advances to Event 4: The Super Happy Grand Final Championship.

This is what the big board looks going into Event 2:

1st	Poker Shrink	9 points
2nd	Amy Calistri	8 points
3rd	Michele Lewis	7 points
4th	Daniel Skolovy	6 points
5th	Luckbox	5 points
6th	Spaceman	4 points
7th	Dr. Pauly	3 points
8th	Benjo	2 points
9th	Change100	1 point

Obviously the aforementioned Caribbean getaway is the only reason my name isn't on that list. With Event 2 playing out this Saturday I'll be doing my best to change that. I'm not the only one who's made some promises for this next event.

There's only room for one Matt in this tournament!

2008 WSOP bracelet winner Jason Young apparently used up all his run-good at the World Series because he went broke in 13th. He has guaranteed cracking the top 11 in a comment he wrote on Dan's recap and, as we all know, blog comments constitute a legally binding contract.

In response to Young's ambitious guarantee online pro Matt Stout guaranteed at least a 10th-place finish. I'm going to laugh when they're busted first and second on Saturday.

We're hoping the full roster will show up and put their run-good skills to the test. Another $1,000 will be on the table as well as the points that will earn nine lucky players their seats at the Grand Final. The virtual cards will be in the air at 11 a.m. PST Saturday. If you've got a few minutes log on to PokerStars.com and say hello.