The 2026 Free Poker Network (FPN) Vegas National Championship wrapped up in dramatic fashion on Sunday at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, where Bonnie Bona completed a stunning comeback to win the Clash of Kings & Queens National Championship Main Event, pocketing the $25,000 top prize.
The Illinois native’s victory was anything but routine. With just two tables remaining, Bona was left with less than a single big blind, seemingly destined for elimination. Instead, she mounted an improbable rally, outlasting a field of 392 entries and ultimately defeating Tammy Quade heads-up, who earned $10,000 for her runner-up finish.
Third place went to Ryne Peterson of New York, who collected $5,000 after falling just short of becoming the youngest FPN national champion ever shortly after turning 21.
“I got lucky. Very lucky,” Bona admitted in her post-win interview with PokerNews. “People doubled me up—it was good.” Earlier in the series, Bona had already made a deep run, finishing eighth in the Royal Court Championship, hinting at the form that would later carry her to the title.
A Packed Championship With Plenty of Drama
The Clash of Kings & Queens was the second national championship of the series and generated a $58,700 prize pool. The final table featured a diverse mix of seasoned FPN regulars and rising talent, including South Dakota’s Scott Fitch, France’s Herve Brajon, and two-time FPN champion Joel Smith.
Smith, in particular, enjoyed a standout festival. Despite exiting this event in fifth place, he reached three final tables overall and added another trophy to his résumé by winning the Tag Team Championship, cementing his status as one of the tour’s most consistent performers.
Early Fireworks and Bubble Bursts
Action was lively from the outset. Even players who failed to qualify for the Las Vegas finale fared better than Eric Reinhardt, whose tournament ended in frustration after having pocket aces cracked twice by Marvin Rumer in quick succession.
Memorable moments included Suzanne Barsaloux going runner-runner to make a full house, Brad Henkin doubling up with six-four suited—proudly dubbed the “Elgin Nuts”—and a swift money bubble burst when Donna Dale’s ace-ten suited was undone by Patrick McGuire’s rivered full house. Once the bubble popped, every remaining player locked up at least $300.
Final Table Showdowns
Approaching the final table, Ryne Peterson made his presence felt, scoring a dramatic double knockout by eliminating Dan Eddy and Tag Team champion Nikki Smith in the same hand. The last player to miss the final table was Rae Gibbs of Texas, known for keeping crystals behind her chip stack. Her run ended when Peterson flopped a straight against her pocket fives.
Joel Smith’s tournament came to an end in fifth place when his ace-six failed to improve against Bona’s king-queen. Peterson’s own title hopes ended in third place after doubling Bona, prompting emotional embraces with his parents before he went to support his sister, Emma Sassen, who was simultaneously competing at the final table of the inaugural FPN Ladies Championship.
A Confident Finish
Entering heads-up play, Bona held a commanding chip lead over Tammy Quade and wasted little time closing out the match. Within a few hands, the comeback was complete, and the championship belonged to her.
“I just stayed patient, waited for my cards, and picked my spots,” Bona said.
After more than a decade of playing Texas Hold’em—primarily online and at X’s & O’s Sports Bar—Bonnie Bona’s resilience and timely run-good delivered one of the most memorable victories of the 2026 FPN National Championship series.
