Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Bala Kumar
Xiong Thao, known to friends as Peter, closed out a wire-to-wire performance at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, turning a dominant opening flight into his fourth RunGood Poker Series ring. Outlasting a field of 901 entries, Thao claimed the top prize from a $306,340 total prize pool, defeating Farzad Abbaszadeh heads-up for the title.
A Mental Shift That Made the Difference
Thao has had a big year of results, but he’s been open about a tendency to lose focus once he built a big stack, pushing too many spots and second-guessing solid reads, sometimes busting from commanding positions he should have converted. This time was different. He stayed present throughout the final stages, treating each decision on its own merits instead of getting ahead of himself.
That discipline carried him through a stacked final table and into the win.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Xiong Thao | United States | $48,340 |
| 2 | Farzad Abbaszadeh | United States | $32,000 |
| 3 | Vijesh Suseela | United States | $23,800 |
| 4 | Elijah Obel-Jorgensen | United States | $17,800 |
| 5 | Khamla Kounlavouth | United States | $13,500 |
| 6 | Vy Nguyen | United States | $10,300 |
| 7 | Jeevandeep Singh | United States | $7,900 |
| 8 | Christopher Johnson | United States | $6,100 |
Wire-to-Wire From Day One
Thao’s lead never really came under threat. He bagged nearly 40 starting stacks after Day 1a, building a cushion that none of the other starting flights could close. As the field thinned toward the money, that advantage held steady.
A pair of early knockouts on the final day extended his stack further, and he carried a top-six position into the unofficial final table. From there, he ran the table — eliminating Khamla Kounlavouth in fifth, Elijah Obel-Jorgensen in fourth, and Vijesh Suseela in third, before closing out Abbaszadeh heads-up for the win.
A Milestone, Almost to the Day
This is Thao’s fourth RunGood Poker Series ring, landing just one day short of a full year since his first — also earned at Thunder Valley, where he took down two titles during last summer’s season-ending series in the same room. His most recent prior ring also came at this venue, a $300 No Limit Hold’em win at a December stop. This latest $48,340 score now ranks as the fourth-largest of his career.
Strong Year, On and Off the Felt
Thao’s momentum this year extended beyond Thunder Valley. In April, he won a qualifier for an international RunGood stop, earning an invitational travel package. Personal commitments forced him to postpone the trip, and he ultimately made the journey just weeks before this latest win, capping off a stretch that’s been full of milestones both at the tables and away from them.
With a new trophy in hand, Thao now joins an increasingly short list of players building a real multi-ring resume at Thunder Valley.
FAQs
How much did Xiong Thao win at Thunder Valley?
Thao won $48,340 for first place after outlasting a field of 901 entries in a tournament that generated a $306,340 total prize pool.
How many RunGood Poker Series rings has Xiong Thao won?
This is his fourth RGPS ring, arriving almost exactly one year after his first, which also came at Thunder Valley Casino Resort.
Who did Xiong Thao beat heads-up for the win?
Thao defeated Farzad Abbaszadeh heads-up to secure the title.
Where did Xiong Thao win his fourth ring?
The win came at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, a venue where he has built a strong, multi-title track record.
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