The Run It Up Reno tournament series, organized by Team PokerStars Pro Jason Somerville, once again fulfilled its reputation. The fall edition saw an increase in attendance compared to the previous series.
This is the fifth edition of the now semi-annual series held at Peppermill Reno Casino. The Main Event’s attendance has consistently increased in all five instances.
Latest Main Event features record field, repeat champ
The Main Event of this series saw a known winner, Loren Klein, who bagged his second Run It Up Main Event victory, succeeding his win in the fall 2016 series.
On his first attempt, Klein surpassed 256 competitors to win over $33,000. Between Run It Up events, Klein secured a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet and a pot-limit Omaha bracelet worth $231,000 in his leisure time.
Despite winning a significant amount of money, Klein returned to play in Reno this fall. He triumphed over a record 424 players in the $600 buy-in event on his second outing. The winnings from this game totaled $46,300.
Several events at the Run It Up series tend to grow from one series to the next, but the Main Event is likely the most accurate reflection of the event’s increasing popularity:
- October 2015 – 318 entries
- May 2016 – 391 entries
- October 2016 – 256 entries
- April 2017 – 384 entries
- October 2017 – 424 entries
The series last month showcased 16 events and guaranteed $375,000 in prizes. However, the series actually offered more prize money than initially guaranteed. The majority of the tournaments easily surpassed the guaranteed amount.
The Thursday Thrilla, which had the highest buy-in of the series at $1,000, actually doubled its $50,000 guarantee. The 110-entry field led to a prize pool of $110,000, split evenly between payouts and a $500 bounty for each participant.
Somerville’s fan-based approach key to Run It Up success
People unfamiliar with Run It Up might question why a low buy-in tournament series continually draws people back to a casino in northern Nevada.
Most of the content is characterized by Somerville’s personal touch. As a poker player, he frequently live streams on Twitch, facilitating continuous interaction with his followers. This interaction often results in the creation of recurring jokes and shared humor, which are then incorporated into live events hosted by Run It Up.
For instance, there’s a night dedicated to Turkey Burger, a dish hailed as the favorite meal of Somerville, who is known for his picky tastes. In addition, we host various events during the week that cater to interests outside of poker, such as UFC and the reality TV show, Survivor.
Former Survivor contestants such as Tyson Apostol and “Boston” Rob Mariano participate in tournaments. They also gather to watch the show collectively, where they respond to questions and provide an insider’s perspective on the current season.
On this occasion, ex-Survivor participant Rob Cesterino was present, recording one of his well-liked podcasts at the event. The gathering also included notable personalities from the poker world, such as:
- Samantha Abernathy
- Jeff Gross
- Dan O’Brien
- Jesse Sylvia
Somerville expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event. Considering the extensive effort he dedicates to each series, it’s unsurprising that it keeps expanding. He shared details of his latest success in an interview with PlayNevada.
My favorite series so far was the Run It Up Reno held this October. I believe we provide a schedule that is highly favorable to fans, and I take pride in the enjoyable and inviting ambiance we’ve created. We’ve officially organized five Run It Up Reno events, and it was incredible to witness the large attendance and positive feedback from fans this time. Nearly every tournament surpassed its previous prize pool record. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next event!
Image provided by Run It Up / Antonio Abrego
