Married Duo Joel and Nikki Smith Dominate 2026 FPN Vegas Tag Team Championship
Joel and Nikki Smith have taken the 2026 Free Poker Network (FPN) Vegas National Championship by storm. The married duo secured the Tag Team Championship title after a decisive final hand. Their win marks the first time a couple has claimed the prize since 2020.
The Smiths entered the tournament with strong form, having finished third in the 2023 Tag Team Championship. This year, they outlasted 142 teams to reach the final table. Along the way, they eliminated tough competition, including Michael Burt and Jasen Witthuhn in fourth place and Ryan Burr and Hethe Berg in third.
Their path to victory came down to a single hand of heads-up play against Jim Morgan and Robin Stene. A well-timed run of cards and a lucky river sealed their win. The couple walked away with $1,000 in prize money, championship belts, and additional chips for Sunday’s Clash Royale National Championship Main Event. FPN commentator Dana Castaneda called their triumph 'surreal,' highlighting the rarity of their achievement. The Smiths join Alex and Kristen Foxen as the only married pairs to ever win the Tag Team Championship.
The victory cements the Smiths’ place in poker history. They now prepare for the next challenge—the Clash of Kings & Queens Main Event. Their win also sets a high bar for future tag team competitors.
