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Clash of Kings & Queens Heats Up as Qualifier #5 Sends 12 to Nationals

By Dana Castaneda | Jan 10, 2026 1:25 AM

The battlefield is set and the crowns are within reach as FPN Qualifier #5 for the Clash of Kings & Queens National Championship is officially wrapped up.

A field of 71 players battled for position, prestige, and power at the tables. When the dust settled, 12 players emerged victorious, each earning a 20K starting stack plus $200 cash into the Clash of Kings & Queens National Championship, taking place Sunday, January 12 at 10:00 AM. Players will be fighting for a massive $25,000 cash prize, making every chip and every decision count.

The battle for the King’s Guard bonus is heating up. The chip leader heading into the championship will claim an additional $500 in cash, and the leaderboard is tight at the top. Currently tied for the lead with 60K stacks are Luvern Hanson (SD) and Shane Santos (NV). Not far behind is Kirk Dugger (NE) with 50K, keeping the pressure on with two more qualifiers still to come.

Saturday offers the final opportunities to build stacks and make a run at the crown:

11:00 AM – Qualifier #3: MEGA Qualifier
Top 25% advance to the Clash of Kings & Queens National Championship with a 20K starting stack.

5:00 PM – Qualifier #4: Tag Team Championship
Final table teams and partners advance with 20K starting stacks into the Clash of Kings & Queens National Championship. This event features $3,000 in final table payouts, the coveted Tag Team Championship belts, and live reporting by Poker News. This will be a live-streamed event.

Off the felt, the cash kept flowing with daily drawings. In the 1:00 PM drawing, Spyros Apesso took home $200. Later that evening, Amanda Gibbs from Texas claimed $200 in the 7:00 PM drawing. Cash drawings continue daily at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, along with random FPN merchandise giveaways. Players can enter by placing receipts from any qualifying event into the drum located at the front of the room.

The Clash is building. Kings are rising. Queens are answering. One crown awaits.

Scott Fitch
Russell Neil
Wells Wolf
Dale Hjelmgren
Roger Trumbull
Rick Lutt
Emma Sassen
Kirk Dugger
Bruce Hogy
Jordan SLeen

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