Royal Court TOC Delivers Drama, Heartbreak, and a Champion's Rise!

It was a rare but momentous Saturday showdown at The Mayfield Tavern, as 14 of the Free Poker Network’s weekly champions gathered for a high-stakes battle in the Royal Court Tournament of Champions (TOC). With more than just bragging rights on the line, the winner would walk away with a seat to the FPN National Championship at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas this January, 2026! The atmosphere was electric as the cards hit the felt. Players tested each other’s strategies, with early play marked by caution and precision—until, of course, the cards decided to deal the drama themselves. A Wild Start: Ramsey vs. Sutter The first major moment came when James Ramsey, sitting with a commanding chip lead, looked down at pocket Jacks. He raised, and Scott Sutter made the call with K-J. The flop? A-Q-10—a flopped Broadway straight for Sutter. In typical Ramsey style, the aggression continued: all-in. Sutter snap-called, putting himself at risk. Then the turn came a 10, giving Ramsey two pair, and tension at the table grew thick. As the dealer burned and turned, Sutter looked up and pleaded, "Don’t you dare do it to me!" But the poker gods had other plans. The river brought a Jack, giving Ramsey a full house and sending Sutter out as the first elimination. At least he didn’t leave empty-handed—fellow Maverick Jim McQueen donated a copy of Doyle Brunson’s "Super System 2" as the Donkey Prize. Congrats, Scott. A great book and a story for the ages! Aggression, Grit, and the Final Eight Ramsey rode his momentum and aggression to build a strong chip stack, while at the other table, Nancy Petermann and Amber Soper were showing the fellas how it's done. As the field thinned, Cliff Jones and Jim Elwart fell just short of the final table. The final eight: Candace Sutter Jason Owen Drew Bovee James Ramsey Amber Soper Lewis Iler Nancy Petermann Mike Soper The final table was a grinder's delight—chips moving, players bluffing, and nerves on edge. Candace Sutter, short-stacked, was the first to exit in 8th. Jason Owen, struck by two brutal beats, followed in 7th. Bovee went out 6th, and Ramsey’s heater ran out, finishing 5th. Soper vs. Soper: The Couch Hand With four left, Amber Soper found herself all-in against her husband, Mike Soper. Who won? Let’s just say Mike might’ve spent the night on the couch—but he also took the pot. That boost helped him surge ahead, eventually knocking out Lewis Iler in 3rd. That set the stage: Mike Soper vs. Nancy Petermann—son vs. mother—for the TOC crown. A Clash of Bloodlines Mike held the chip lead, but Nancy had a trap set. Holding pocket Kings, she slow-played and let her son bet big. He shoved with A-7, and Nancy snap-called. The board ran: J-4-7, giving Mike a pair, but Nancy’s Kings still stood tall. The turn? A 6. Still safe. But the river… a 7. Trips for Mike, and just like that, he was crowned the TOC Champion, booking his ticket to Las Vegas in January. A Glorious Day on the Felts It was a day full of drama, big plays, tough beats, and unforgettable stories. As the Royal Court TOC wraps, we now dive headfirst into the Clash of Kings and Queens, where the next TOC spot is up for grabs. With two different champions already in the books, the stage is set for a larger, even more intense field next time around. Until then, Mavericks—play smart, play bold, and we’ll see you on the felts!