2026 Las Vegas Nationals Recap A Championship to Remember

20th Anniversary National Event was a BIG HIT - Recap

Did you know?

Over $230,000 in cash & prizes were awarded in FPN’s 20th Anniversary Promotions (Royal Court & Clash of Kings & Queens), here is the breakdown:

National Championship Events - $130,000
Season Championships - $33,000
Travel Rebates Redeemed - $65,000

These figures do not include League Champ and TOC Medallions and other miscellaneous prizes!

If you missed all the fun, or just need to catch up, here is a rundown of the big winners:

👑 ROYAL COURT NAT’L CHAMPIONSHIP

🏆 Glenn Schaefers (South Dakota) - $12,000 CASH for Main Event Package & TROPHY
🏆 Steve Belland (Minnesota) - $12,000 CASH for Main Event Package

👑 CLASH OF KINGS & QUEENS NAT’L CHAMPIONSHIP

🏆 Bonnie Bona – $25,000 CASH & TROPHY

Bonnie’s run wasn’t just a win, it was a story. With two tables remaining, she was reduced to less than a single big blind, only to mount an unbelievable comeback that carried her all the way to the crown. Pure resilience. Perfect timing. Championship heart.

Even more legendary? Bonnie and her sister Suzzanne Barsaloux cashed in BOTH National Championships. Both sisters made the Royal Court final table! Bonnie took the Clash title and Suzzanne battled deep and finished 22nd out of nearly 400 players. Poker royalty, for real. 👑

🛡️ Nikki Smith Earns the King’s Guard — and the Belts!

Nikki Smith finally knows what it feels like to be Joel! 😄 Nikki earned the King’s Guard starting the tournament with the largest chip stack of 80K and taking home the $500 CASH bonus.

Then she and her husband, 2-time National Champion Joel Smith, did what champions do. Nikki & Joel Smith became Tag Team Champions

And Joel He didn’t just show up, he put on a clinic, making three final tables during the series. That’s the kind of consistency that separates champions from the crowd.

👑 The First-Ever FPN Ladies Championship Made History

The inaugural Ladies Championship drew 62 fierce competitors, and the crown went to Misfits Poker’s Michelle Johnson, who took home $2,569 and the trophy!

This wasn’t just another event — it was a statement. Women weren’t just participating at Nationals… they were final tabling, cashing, and winning titles across the entire championship festival.

FPN Ladies Championship Final Result:

Michelle Johnson – $2,569
Mistie Lackey – $1,699
Rachel Simpson – $1,174
Emma Sassen – $849
Mary Lund – $645
Sharon Quale – $515
Christina Black – $434
Jennifer Booth – $387

🏆 TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

When the dust cleared, the titles went to the power couple.

🏆 Joel Smith & Nikki Smith (Billy’s Bar & Grill) – $1,000 + Championship Entry +20K CHIPS

2nd Jim Morgan – Robin Stene (Billy’s Bar & Grill) – $500 + Championship Entry
3rd Ryan Burr – Hethe Berg (LV Putters) – $300 + Championship Entry
4th Michael Burt – Jasen Witthuhn – $200 + Championship Entry
5th Xeng Lor – James Nethery – $200 + Championship Entry
6th Steve Dale – Donna Dale (Casselton Vets) – $200 + Championship Entry
7th Russell Neil – Albert Buhr – $200 + Championship Entry
8th Arda Ozcan – Benjamin Trehey (Chip Shots, MN) – $200 + Championship Entry
9th Amy Chris – Vaschei Waszyk (Shorewood) – $200 + Championship Entry

💎 HIGH ROLLER EVENT: Eric Kassa Takes the Crown

The first-ever High Roller Tournament proved to be a resounding success. A total of 63 players answered the call, battling for a guaranteed $5,000 first-place prize and a High Roller trophy worthy of the kingdom’s elite.

🏆 Eric Kassa (Wahpeton, ND) $5,000 CASH

High Roller Results
1st $5,000 Eric Kassa (ND)
2nd $1,500 Steve Belland (MN)
3rd $1,000 Rylie Wright
4th $825 Rick Lutt (NE)
5th $600 Masato Sugimoto
6th $600 Stanley Keller (ND)
7th $500 Thomas Brimhall (MN)
8th $500 Bonnie Bona (IL)
9th $500 Steve Spratlen (NE)

👑 Season Championship Winners

Vegas wasn’t just about the final weekend — it was the payoff for an entire season of dedication.

Winter Season Championship Jim Morgan (MN) – $10,000 Main Event Package
Summer Season Championship Timothy Jackson (NY) – $5,000 WPT Package
Spring Season Championship Carin Kassa (ND) – $5,000 WPT Package
Fall Season Championship Wayne Werner (MN) – $5,000 WPT Package

♠️ Final Thoughts

From the packed rooms… to the deep runs… to the champions crowned and the friendships strengthened — Royal Court and Clash of Kings & Queens Vegas Nationals 2026 was everything we hoped for.

We didn’t just award $230,000!
We created moments.
We built memories.
We crowned legends.

Until next time…
👑 Long live the Royal Court.
⚔️ Let the Clash continue.
🦈 And Sharks… keep swimming.