It was all on the line as twenty-five Mavericks, including newcomer Mike Guerrero, arrived for one final push in the Free Poker Network's Winter Season. With double points in play and a tightly contested race for the season points championship, the stakes had never been higher.

Mike Soper entered the night with a razor-thin lead, but at least six determined Mavericks had their eyes set on dethroning him. One thing was certain—simply maintaining his position wouldn’t be enough. This was going to be a fight to the finish.

Early Fireworks: Hoag and Pinson Set the Tone

From the moment the first cards hit the felt, the competition was fierce. Dale Pinson and a red-hot Rick Hoag wasted no time, securing victories in their first game tables and putting the pressure on the field. Game Two only intensified the action as George Pethers and Lewis Iler—one of Soper’s biggest threats—emerged victorious at their respective tables.

Soper, determined to defend his lead, battled hard and managed to finish second at his table, keeping him just ahead in the race. But the competition was tightening, and there was no room for error as the night pressed on.

Final Showdown: The Chase to the Top

As the tournament entered its final game, the leaderboard was a pressure cooker. Rick Hoag held a narrow lead, but Candace Sutter was just two points behind. Drew Bovee, riding the momentum of two strong finishes, was only three points back, while Lewis Iler and Amber Soper trailed by a single point.

Everything came down to Game Three. When the final hands were played and the chips were counted, Jim Elwart and Candace Sutter emerged victorious at their tables. **Sutter’s performance not only secured her the night’s top honors but also officially punched her ticket to the Tournament of Champions on April 12.

And the Winter Season Champion Is…

With the final results tallied, the moment of truth had arrived. Who had done enough to claim the Winter Season Points Championship?

Drum roll, please…

🎉 Congratulations to Lewis Iler! 🎉

With his clutch second-place finish for the night, Iler overtook Soper to claim the Winter Season crown. Candace Sutter’s dominant performance propelled her to second place, while Mike Soper slipped to third after a tough night on the felt. Jim Elwart and Rick Hoag rounded out the top five, each proving their mettle in a season of fierce competition.

A huge congratulations to all our Mavericks! But there’s no time to rest—next week kicks off the Spring Season, and a brand-new race for glory begins. Who will rise? Who will surprise? Only time (and the turn of the cards) will tell.

See you on the felts!

High Stakes and High Drama: The Free Poker Network's Winter Season Finale