A Champion is Crowned!

As the most competitive season to date drew to its dramatic conclusion, the tension was unmistakable. You could feel it in the room as twenty-three Mavericks gathered—each one either chasing the title or determined to play spoiler. One way or another, by night’s end, the Free Poker Network Fall Season Champion would be crowned.

All eyes were on Mike Soper, who entered the night with what appeared to be a commanding points lead. But lurking close behind were Rick Hoag and Alex Goyette, both well within striking distance. And as we’ve proven time and time again in this league… it ain’t over till it’s over.

Game One immediately set the tone. Oliver Saylor stayed red hot, continuing his late-season surge by taking down his table. Jason Owen and Rick Hoag also claimed table victories, keeping the pressure squarely on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, respectable third-place finishes by Goyette and Soper ensured that neither contender fell out of the hunt for those all-important points.

In Game Two, the plot thickened. George Pethers captured his table, while the father-daughter Sutter duo each earned table wins of their own. But the moment that changed everything came when Soper suffered a costly misstep, cracking the door wide open and sending a jolt through the room—the season title was suddenly very much in doubt.

Everything came down to Game Three.

With nerves tested and margins razor-thin, Goyette and Hoag delivered strong, steady finishes, while Soper fought back, winning his table to keep his championship hopes alive. Jim Elwart and Scott Sutter also rose to the moment, each taking down their tables in the final game.

Then came the pause.
The calculators came out.
The room fell silent.

When the points were finally tallied, Soper’s Game Three win kept him close—but just short. Meanwhile, the final-game victories by Jim Elwart and Scott Sutter propelled them to second and third place on the night, respectively.

The nightly winner, decided by tiebreaker, was Rick Hoag.

Congratulations to Rick Hoag, Jim Elwart, and Scott Sutter on outstanding finishes.

With the night settled, attention turned to the season standings—and the drama wasn’t done yet.

Cliff Jones locked up fifth place, with Jim Elwart finishing fourth. Alex Goyette claimed third place, earning a well-deserved seat in the 2027 Championship Tournament.

That left just two names standing.

Mike Soper.
Rick Hoag.

When the final totals were revealed, a mere fifteen points separated them.

And when the dust finally settled, Rick Hoag emerged as the Free Poker Network Fall Season Champion.

Both Rick Hoag and Mike Soper earned seats to the 2027 Championship Tournament, but the bragging rights—and the crown—belong to Raisin’ Rick.

With that, one chapter closes and another begins.
Next week kicks off the Free Poker Network Winter Season.

The question now is simple…
Who will rise to the occasion?

See you on the felts, Mavericks. 🂡