2026 RGPS Golden Expedition at The Barrel Social Club

The RunGood Poker Series brings its 2026 Golden Expedition season to The Barrel Social Club in Franklin, Kentucky, from September 1 through September 7. The seven-day festival is scheduled to award 11 RunGood championship rings and features more than $300,000 in advertised guarantees, led by an $800 Main Event with a $250,000 guarantee.

This is the first Kentucky stop on the published RunGood schedule, and the setting is different from a traditional casino resort. The Barrel Social Club is an 18-and-older, members-only, rake-free social club focused on poker and other games rather than a full-service casino property. Visiting players should understand the club's membership, payment and registration procedures before arriving.

Players can review the official RGPS Golden Expedition at The Barrel event page for current series information.

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Series Overview

The RGPS Golden Expedition at The Barrel runs Tuesday, September 1 through Monday, September 7, 2026. RunGood lists 11 ring events across the seven-day festival.

The headline tournament is the $800 RunGood Main Event, which carries a $250,000 guarantee and six starting flights spread across September 4, 5 and 6. Surviving players return for Day 2 on Labor Day, September 7.

The supporting schedule includes a Seniors Ring Event, Series Opener, Guest Bounty, PokerNews PowerStack, Pot-Limit Omaha, an on-demand Flip & Go Ring Event, a turbo ring event and two closing-day ring tournaments.

Rather than reproducing every tournament on the calendar here, players should use the official RGPS Golden Expedition schedule flyer for the complete event-by-event schedule.

Key published series details include:

• Dates: September 1–7, 2026

• Venue: The Barrel Social Club in Franklin, Kentucky

• Festival length: Seven days

• Championship ring events: 11

• Main Event buy-in: $800

• Main Event guarantee: $250,000

• Main Event starting flights: Six

• Main Event Day 2: September 7 at 12:15 PM

• Total advertised guarantees: More than $300,000

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Schedule Highlights

The opening day gives players three different ring events before the festival moves into the PowerStack and Main Event portions of the schedule.

The $300 Seniors Ring Event starts September 1 at 1:15 PM and is restricted to players age 50 and older. It begins with 20,000 chips, uses 20-minute levels, permits unlimited re-entry during the registration period and keeps registration open until the start of Level 13.

Later that afternoon, the $300 Series Opener begins at 4:15 PM. It also starts players with 20,000 chips but uses 30-minute levels. Registration remains open until the start of Level 9, with unlimited re-entry available during that period.

The opening night ends with the $200 Guest Bounty Ring Event at 7:15 PM. RunGood says designated special guests will hold envelopes containing mystery prizes that may include tournament buy-ins, RunGood apparel and cash prizes of up to $1,000. The event starts with 10,000 chips, uses 20-minute levels and allows re-entry during late registration.

A $400 PokerNews PowerStack, $400 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament and multiple Main Event qualification options provide additional reasons to arrive before the Main Event weekend.

Players who want detailed blind schedules, registration rules and advancement procedures can review the official RGPS structure sheets.

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$800 RunGood Main Event

The $800 Main Event is the centerpiece of the Franklin stop. RunGood guarantees $250,000 and has scheduled six Day 1 flights before the September 7 final day.

The starting flights are:

• Flight A: Friday, September 4 at 11:15 AM

• Flight B: Friday, September 4 at 4:15 PM

• Flight C: Saturday, September 5 at 11:15 AM

• Flight D: Saturday, September 5 at 4:15 PM

• Flight E: Sunday, September 6 at 11:15 AM

• Flight F: Sunday, September 6 at 4:15 PM

Day 2 is scheduled to begin Monday, September 7 at 12:15 PM.

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Main Event Starting Stack and Blind Levels

Each Main Event entry receives 30,000 starting chips.

Day 1 levels last 30 minutes. Players who advance to Day 2 move into 40-minute levels, giving the final day a slower structure than the opening flights.

Registration remains open until the start of Level 9. RunGood allows unlimited re-entry during that period, and players may participate in all six starting flights.

Players who registered before a flight starts should note that their stacks are placed into play from the beginning of the event.

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Main Event Advancement and Multiple Bags

The Main Event uses a percentage-based advancement and payout system during each opening flight.

RunGood's structure sheet states:

• The top 12% of each flight, rounded down, reaches a $1,100 payout threshold.

• The top 10%, rounded down, reaches a $1,250 payout threshold.

• The top 8%, rounded down, bags chips and advances to Day 2.

Players may qualify for Day 2 from more than one flight. A multiple qualifier may play only the largest bag on Day 2. Any lower qualifying stack is removed from play, with RunGood awarding a $2,000 double-bag bonus for the lower stack.

Day 2 begins at the lowest blind level reached during the Day 1 flights.

These rules make multiple flights meaningful even for a player who has already qualified, but players should read the current structure sheet before making a second-flight decision in case RunGood updates the procedure.

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Other Events to Watch

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$400 PokerNews PowerStack

The $400 PokerNews PowerStack Ring Event is one of the most substantial supporting tournaments of the week.

Flight A begins Wednesday, September 2 at 1:15 PM, while Flight B starts at 6:15 PM that evening. Day 2 resumes Thursday, September 3 at 1:15 PM.

The event carries a $30,000 guarantee and gives players a 25,000-chip starting stack with 30-minute levels. Registration stays open until the start of Level 9, and unlimited re-entry is available. Players may enter both Day 1 flights.

Like the Main Event, the PowerStack uses percentage-based advancement. The top 8% of each flight bags for Day 2. A player who qualifies twice may use only the larger stack, while the lower bag is removed and earns a $1,000 double-bag bonus.

The Franklin PowerStack is also part of RunGood's 2026 fall PokerNews PowerStack program. RunGood says eligible PowerStack results earn leaderboard points throughout the fall season, with the top 10 ultimately receiving a package that includes entry into the $300 Dream Seat Invitational, a $300 travel stipend and a two-night stay at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. RunGood has said additional scoring and leaderboard details will be announced during the season.

Players can review the official 2026 PokerNews PowerStack Leaderboard announcement for the current promotion rules.

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$400 Pot-Limit Omaha Ring Event

Players looking for an alternative to the predominantly No-Limit Hold'em schedule can enter the $400 Pot-Limit Omaha Ring Event on Thursday, September 3 at 5:15 PM.

RunGood lists a $25,000 guarantee. The event begins with 20,000 chips and uses 30-minute levels.

Registration remains open until the start of Level 9, and unlimited re-entry is available during the registration period. At the completion of Level 8, a player may also forfeit an existing stack and re-enter for $400.

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$100 Flip & Go Ring Event

The schedule also includes a $100 Flip & Go NLH Ring Event with on-demand Day 1 tables running September 1, 2 and 3. A table begins once eight players have entered.

All eight players are all-in on the first hand using a Crazy Pineapple format: each player receives three cards and discards one after the flop. The winner of the table advances to Day 2.

If the first hand ends in a chopped pot, the remaining players play another Crazy Pineapple hand until there is a single qualifier.

Day 2 is scheduled for Friday, September 4 at 12:15 PM. Qualifiers begin Day 2 with 160,000 chips, and timed levels are 20 minutes. Payouts begin on Day 2, and qualifying stacks are non-transferable.

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Labor Day Black Chip Bounty and Last Chance

The festival concludes Monday, September 7 while the Main Event plays down on Day 2.

Players who are no longer in the Main Event have two additional ring-event options.

The $400 Labor Day Black Chip Bounty Ring Event begins at 1:15 PM. It starts with 20,000 chips, uses 30-minute levels, offers unlimited re-entry and keeps registration open until the start of Level 9.

The final scheduled ring tournament is the $400 Last Chance NLH Ring Event at 6:15 PM. It uses a 15,000-chip starting stack with 20-minute levels. Registration remains open until the start of Level 7, and unlimited re-entry is available during that period.

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Main Event Satellites

RunGood has scheduled two different paths into the $800 Main Event: traditional $200 Turbo satellites and on-demand $105 Flip & Go qualifiers.

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$200 Turbo Main Event Satellites

The $200 Turbo Main Event Satellites award one $800 Main Event seat for every five entries.

They begin with 10,000 chips and use 15-minute levels. Registration stays open until the start of Level 7. Each satellite ends when the number of remaining players matches the number of Main Event seats being awarded.

RunGood has scheduled Turbo satellites on:

• Thursday, September 3 at 8:15 PM

• Friday, September 4 at 1:15 PM and 8:15 PM

• Saturday, September 5 at 1:15 PM and 8:15 PM

• Sunday, September 6 at 1:15 PM

The published structure explains the qualification ratio and registration window but does not state a separate re-entry rule for these satellites, so players should not assume one.

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$105 Flip & Go Main Event Satellites

The $105 Flip & Go Main Event Satellites run on demand on September 4, 5 and 6.

Each satellite is eight-handed and begins once eight players have entered. All eight players are immediately all-in for one Crazy Pineapple hand. Players receive three cards and discard one after the flop.

The player with the best five-card hand wins a seat in the $800 Main Event. If the pot is chopped, the tied players play an additional Crazy Pineapple hand to determine one winner.

The official structure does not publish a separate re-entry rule for these qualifiers.

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RunGood Championship Rings and Promotions

Winning one of the 11 designated ring events at The Barrel means more than winning that individual tournament.

RunGood's championship-ring program feeds into several current tour-wide promotions.

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2026/27 RunGood Player of the Year

The 2026/27 RunGood Player of the Year race runs from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 and uses the Global Poker Index ranking system.

Public RunGood Poker Series and RunGood-powered events award points under the published program. RunGood specifically excludes events that are not open to the public, including Seniors, Ladies and Tag Team events.

The top five players in the season standings are scheduled to receive a custom Player of the Year ring, a $600 Hendon Mob Mid-Major Championship seat and an invitation to the Hall of Rings celebration at Thunder Valley with hotel accommodations and a $500 travel stipend.

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Dream Seat Invitational

RunGood Ring winners are eligible for the $300 Dream Seat Invitational at Thunder Valley Casino Resort during the RunGood Dream Factory Festival.

The 2026 Invitational is scheduled for December 2. Its winner earns a seat in the January 2027 PGT Championship at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.

That gives eligible ring winners from the Franklin stop another tournament opportunity later in the year. Full details are available in RunGood's official 2026 Dream Seat Invitational announcement.

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Tournament Structures and Registration

Structure details vary substantially across the festival, so players should not assume that a registration deadline or re-entry rule from one event applies to another.

Examples include:

• Seniors: 20,000 chips, 20-minute levels, registration through the start of Level 13 and unlimited re-entry.

• Series Opener: 20,000 chips, 30-minute levels, registration through the start of Level 9 and unlimited re-entry.

• Guest Bounty: 10,000 chips, 20-minute levels and registration through the start of Level 7.

• PowerStack: 25,000 chips, 30-minute levels, registration through the start of Level 9 and unlimited re-entry.

• PLO: 20,000 chips, 30-minute levels, registration through the start of Level 9 and unlimited re-entry.

• Main Event: 30,000 chips, 30-minute Day 1 levels, 40-minute Day 2 levels and registration through the start of Level 9.

• Last Chance: 15,000 chips, 20-minute levels and registration through the start of Level 7.

The Barrel says tournament registration becomes available when the doors open on the day of the tournament. Tournament buy-ins cannot be processed over the phone, and tournament entries are paid in cash.

Players should bring sufficient cash or plan ahead. The club says it has an on-site ATM, but tournament players making several entries or re-entries may want to account for their full tournament budget before arriving.

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The Barrel Social Club

The Barrel Social Club is located at 765 Industrial Bypass N in Franklin, Kentucky.

It is not a casino resort. The Barrel describes itself as an 18-and-older, members-only, rake-free social club offering poker, billiards and darts.

The club publishes 12 regular poker tables with a maximum of nine players per table and says it can expand to additional tables during high-volume tournament series.

Regular hours are listed as:

• Monday–Thursday: 5:00 PM–4:00 AM

• Friday–Sunday: 12:00 PM–4:00 AM

The Barrel notes that hours may change and that it can remain open later while games are running. RGPS schedule-flyer door times should therefore be used when they differ from normal club hours.

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Membership Requirements

Every person on site must have an active membership. The club requires members to be at least 18 years old and present valid identification.

Current published membership options are:

• $10 daily

• $60 monthly

• $500 annual

The Barrel charges $14 per hour for cash-game seat rental. Tournament fees vary by event.

Players attending only the RGPS festival should factor the club's membership requirement into their plans. Full current pricing is available on The Barrel's official membership page.

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Food, Drinks and Player Amenities

The Barrel provides complimentary soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks to members.

The venue says food trucks are available on many days, weather permitting, and outside food and nonalcoholic drinks are permitted. Players may eat in the lounge or use rolling side tables at the poker tables.

The club does not serve alcohol and does not permit alcohol on the premises.

Other published amenities include free Wi-Fi, USB charging, a player lounge, billiards and darts.

For accessibility, The Barrel says it will make accommodations when possible and lists a disabled-access restroom and three van-sized parking spaces. Players with specific accessibility needs should contact the club before traveling.

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Where to Stay

The Barrel does not have an attached hotel.

For visiting tournament players, the club's official hotel-deals page identifies two nearby lodging partners:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites

• Comfort Inn & Suites

The Barrel currently advertises a 15% discount at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites when guests mention Social Dealer and a 12% booking offer for the Comfort Inn & Suites through its linked hotel page.

Because hotel promotions can change, players should verify the rate and booking conditions before reserving a room.

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Getting There and Parking

The Barrel Social Club is at 765 Industrial Bypass N in Franklin. The venue says it can be reached from Exit 2 or Exit 6 on the bypass on the north side of Franklin.

Franklin sits along Interstate 65 between Nashville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, making I-65 the primary regional route for many traveling players.

For players flying into the region, Nashville International Airport is the major commercial airport in Nashville and is a practical option to consider when arranging a trip to Franklin. Travelers should compare their individual ground-transportation and rental-car options before booking.

The Barrel provides free parking in an adjoining lot and says an overflow gravel lot is available across the street.

The venue advises that its parking lot cannot support semi-trucks.

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What Players Should Know Before Arriving

The biggest difference for players accustomed to casino poker rooms is The Barrel's social-club model.

Before making the trip, remember:

• The Barrel is an 18+ members-only social club, not a casino resort.

• Every person on site must hold an active membership.

• Bring valid identification.

• Tournament buy-ins are cash only.

• Tournament registration begins when the venue opens for the event and cannot be completed by phone.

• Check the official structure for the specific tournament you intend to enter.

• Do not assume re-entry rules are identical across events or satellites.

• The Main Event has six starting flights and allows players to qualify more than once, although only the largest bag is played on Day 2.

• Free parking is available, with additional overflow parking across the street.

• The venue does not have an attached hotel.

• Alcohol is not served and is not permitted on the premises.

• Published schedules and structures can change, so recheck the official RunGood information before traveling.

Angry Aces readers can also browse the Poker Tournament Guides hub and RunGood Poker Series news coverage for related tournament information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When is the 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition at The Barrel Social Club?

The RunGood Poker Series Golden Expedition is scheduled for September 1–7, 2026 at The Barrel Social Club in Franklin, Kentucky.

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Where is The Barrel Social Club?

The Barrel Social Club is located at 765 Industrial Bypass N in Franklin, Kentucky.

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How many RGPS ring events are scheduled in Franklin?

RunGood lists 11 championship ring events across the seven-day festival.

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How much is the RGPS Main Event at The Barrel?

The Main Event costs $800.

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What is the Main Event guarantee?

RunGood guarantees $250,000 for the Main Event.

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How many Main Event starting flights are there?

There are six starting flights, with two on September 4, two on September 5 and two on September 6. Day 2 begins September 7 at 12:15 PM.

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Are Main Event satellites available?

Yes. The schedule includes $200 Turbo Main Event Satellites awarding one $800 seat for every five entries, plus $105 on-demand Flip & Go satellites in which one player from each eight-player table wins a Main Event seat.

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Is there a Seniors event?

Yes. The $300 Seniors Ring Event begins September 1 at 1:15 PM and is open to players age 50 and older.

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Is there a Pot-Limit Omaha event?

Yes. The $400 Pot-Limit Omaha Ring Event is scheduled for September 3 at 5:15 PM with a $25,000 guarantee.

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Does The Barrel Social Club require membership?

Yes. Every person on site must have an active membership. The club currently lists daily membership at $10, monthly membership at $60 and annual membership at $500. Members must be at least 18 years old and have valid identification.

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Does The Barrel Social Club have a hotel?

No. The Barrel is a poker-focused social club rather than a casino resort and does not have an attached hotel. Its website lists Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Comfort Inn & Suites as hotel partners.

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Where can players find the complete official schedule?

Players can use the official RunGood schedule flyer for the full tournament calendar and the official RGPS structure sheets for event-specific structures and rules.