Back to the Felts: Post-Championship Action Kicks Off in Style

As the dust settled from the FPN National Championship in Las Vegas, 25 Mavericks gathered to reignite league action and stake their claims for a coveted seat in next year’s big event. Among the eager players were returning veteran Jerry Houghtaling, making his long-awaited comeback, and newcomer DeWayne Dombrowski, ready to make his mark.

The night’s format was straightforward but high-stakes: a winner-takes-all tournament where only one player would rise as the evening’s champion. From the start, it was clear that the dynamics at the two tables couldn’t have been more different. At one, an aggressive playstyle led to a flurry of all-ins, while the other saw methodical, calculated betting dominate the action.

The first elimination of the night came from the more aggressive table, as Mike Swaim became the first to hit the rail, soon followed by Steve Cooper. Meanwhile, at the more reserved table, it took some time before Jeramy Evely was finally sent packing, signaling a shift in tempo as blinds increased and the pressure mounted.

As the evening progressed, go-big-or-go-home moments became the norm, and the tables whittled down until the final showdown took shape. By the time the clock struck ten, the field had been narrowed to the final three contenders: Candace Sutter, Lewis Iler, and Michael Pjeter.

With a towering chip lead, Michael Pjeter was the player to beat, but Sutter and Iler were determined to give him a run for his money. The battle was fierce, but the odds proved insurmountable. Candace was the first to fall, followed shortly by Lewis, leaving Michael Pjeter as the undisputed champion of the night.

Michael’s victory earned him not only bragging rights but also a gift card, a scratch-off ticket, the coveted code for Sunday’s qualifier, and a guaranteed seat in April’s Tournament of Champions. A huge congratulations to Michael on a well-earned win!

The Mavericks’ post-Championship season is off to an exhilarating start, and the competition promises to only heat up from here. Until next week—see you on the felts, Mavericks!