As the curtain officially closed on the 2024–25 Free Poker Network seasons and new champions were crowned, the page turned quickly toward what lies ahead. The focus is now squarely on 2025–26, and the chase for glory has already begun.

While many of those who battled it out at Nationals were still road-weary and opting for a well-earned night of rest, twenty-three determined Mavericks braved a classic Michigan winter evening and packed into The Mayfield Tavern. Among them was first-timer Tyler Hait, ready to make his mark and see what all the hype was about.

The night wasted no time getting intense.

Game one exploded out of the gate as Jeremy Dunn, Butch Fackler, and Scott Sutter each took down their tables, immediately throwing their names into the early conversation. Refusing to let them pull away, Cliff Jones, James Ramsey, and Sylvia “TSA” Pinson stayed right on their heels with strong second-place finishes, keeping the leaderboard tight and the tension high.

As seats were drawn for game two, the room buzzed with smack talk, laughter, and competitive fire. The gloves came off. When the dust settled, Maxx Atwell, Jeremy Evely, and Amanda Dudek emerged victorious at their tables, each putting themselves squarely in contention for the nightly crown.

When the points were tallied heading into the final game, it was Amanda Dudek standing tall as the frontrunner, with Dale Pinson lurking just one point behind. Lewis Iler sat next in line, followed closely by five more Mavericks, all within striking distance. One hand, one decision, one mistake could swing everything.

The pressure mounted quickly. Maxx Atwell was the first to fall, ending his run at the nightly win, followed soon after by Iler. But no one else blinked. Every remaining player dug in, fighting for every chip and refusing to give an inch.

When the final hands were played and the smoke cleared, two names sat deadlocked at the top: Amanda Dudek and James Ramsey, both finishing with nineteen points. A tiebreaker would decide it all.

And when it mattered most, James Ramsey delivered—claiming the night’s victory. Amanda Dudek capped off an outstanding performance with a strong second-place finish, while Jeremy Dunn rounded out the podium in third. Congratulations to all three, each earning a coveted token into the Sunday FPN Online Qualifier.

Two weeks into the Winter Season, the early standings are already shaping up. Jim Elwart sits atop the leaderboard, with James Ramsey close behind in second. Sylvia Pinson, Amanda Dudek, and Rick Hoag round out a fiercely competitive top five.

If the Fall Season taught us anything, it’s this: there are no easy nights and no clear favorites. This Winter Season is shaping up to be a knock-down, drag-out battle, where only the hungriest will survive.

The only question left is… who wants it more?

We’re back at it next Tuesday—so grab a seat and see you on the felts, Mavericks!

For Auld Lang Syne!