Shawn Murphy Wins RunGood Houston Main Event for $51,000 After Deal

Shawn Murphy won the RunGood Golden Expedition Houston $600 Main Event at Champions Club Texas on October 18, 2026, earning $51,000 after a heads-up deal with runner-up Grant Matatall.

The tournament attracted 538 entries and produced a $269,000 prize pool, with 49 places paid. It exceeded the $250,000 guarantee advertised in RunGood’s official schedule, which listed six starting flights before the October 18 final day.

A deal changed the final two payouts

The original payout schedule allocated $54,000 to first place and $35,300 to second. The finalists agreed to move $3,000 from the winner’s prize to the runner-up, according to PokerNews’ deal update. That left Murphy with $51,000 and Matatall with $38,300.

Their combined payout remained $89,300. The agreement changed how that money was divided, so the original first-prize figure should not be treated as Murphy’s actual winnings.

Ace-high was enough on the last hand

Murphy secured the title by calling Matatall’s river all-in with ace-eight. Matatall held queen-ten and had missed his straight draw. Neither player made a pair on the jack-high board, leaving Murphy’s ace-high hand ahead.

That final call decided the Houston Main Event after the payout agreement had already been made. The title and the remaining difference in prize money were still at stake.

Sources

PokerNews: Houston Main Event results and live reporting. RunGood Poker Series: official Houston festival schedule linked above.