From defending champions to hungry challengers, the 2026 season promises intense competition across six unforgettable events
The Pinnacle Poker Club’s fourth season kicks off on January 17, and based on RSVPs, we could be looking at another record-breaking year. With $2,300 in guaranteed prize pools, innovative new formats (hello, Pineapple!), and a field that gets stronger every year, the 2026 season promises to be our most competitive yet.
Here are the five biggest storylines we’ll be following throughout the season.
Can Peggy Defend Her Crown Against a Stacked Field?
Peggy’s breakthrough 2025 is matched only by Christina’s historic run in 2024. Peggy became the first player to win both Player of the Year and the Main Event (let alone in the same season), capturing victories at our two largest and most skill-intensive events (the Deepstack Championship and Main Event). Her worst-to-first trajectory—missing the first event, finishing last in the second event, and missing the third event, before jumping from the bottom of the standings to Player of the Year by season’s end—made for one of the most compelling championship races in our history.
But defending that title in 2026 won’t be easy. The field has grown significantly more competitive, with several hungry challengers looking to break through.
Tania put together an impressive 2025 campaign, finishing 3rd in Player of the Year with a tournament win, a runner-up finish, and a 3rd place across five events. Her willingness to implement new strategies—literally reading strategy articles at the table and immediately applying the concepts—earned her the Rising Star award and established her as a legitimate championship contender. Along with her husband Kasra’s comeback season, the duo has emerged as perhaps the most formidable power couple in the PPC right now.
Luciano emerged as a force in the second half of 2025, claiming his breakthrough victory at Event 5 with a record-setting 10 knockouts and earning the Pinnacle Bounty Hunter award. His fearless style and ability to accumulate chips through eliminations makes him dangerous in any format. He followed up that dominant performance with another final table at the Main Event, proving it wasn’t a fluke. After playing the full six-game schedule in 2025 and ending the season as the runner-up in the Player of the Year, Luciano enters 2026 as one of the most dangerous players at any table.
Christina remains one of the most consistent players in every event. Coming off a dominant 2024 season where she won three consecutive tournaments to close the year and ran away with the Player of the Year title, she finished 4th in the 2025 POY race despite missing Event 2. Her three career victories are second only to Kasra, and she enters 2026 ranked #3 all-time in Power Points. If she can match her 2024 attendance (6 games), she’ll be a serious threat for the championship.
The combination of Peggy’s championship pedigree, Tania’s rapid improvement, Luciano’s momentum, and Christina’s consistency sets up what could be the most competitive Player of the Year race we’ve ever seen.
Three Power Couples Battle for Supremacy
One of the unique dynamics at the PPC has been watching married couples compete against each other while climbing the standings together. This season features three elite power couples all within striking distance of the top spots.
Kasra and Tania had breakthrough 2025 seasons, with Kasra earning Comeback Player of the Year after a difficult 2024, and Tania claiming Rising Star honors. Their combined efforts in the Tag Team Championship (winning the event) and their individual success—Kasra with two wins and a 3rd place POY finish, Tania with a win and 5th place POY finish—established them as the couple to beat. They now rank #2 and #16 in the all-time Power Rankings respectively.
Crystal and Matt have long been the PPC’s most prominent power couple, sitting at #4 and #5 all-time despite welcoming their son Tyler in late 2024. Matt finished 6th in last year’s POY race while Crystal had a tougher season, but both remain dangerous every time they sit down. Their polar opposite playing styles—Matt’s calculated aggression versus Crystal’s disciplined patience—make them one of the most entertaining rivalries whenever they’re at the same table. The question is whether they can juggle parenthood with poker and still compete at the highest level.
James and Peggy represent perhaps the most interesting power couple dynamic heading into 2026. Peggy sits at #7 all-time after her championship 2025, while James ranks #6 despite never winning a tournament in 20 career games (though he was the runner-up in the inaugural POY race in 2023). His five cashes and nine final tables show remarkable consistency, and he’s due for a breakthrough victory. Could this be the season James finally captures his first title while Peggy defends her crown?
Can the Nguyens Continue Their Winning Ways?
While we don’t know yet whether Quang will be able to attend enough events to compete for Player of the Year (scheduling has been his primary obstacle), his recent form suggests he’s ready to make some noise when he does play. After nearly two years without a victory, Quang came tantalizingly close to winning Event 5 in 2025, ultimately finishing 2nd after coming within two bad beats of the title. That performance sparked an 11-spot jump in the season standings and signaled his return to championship form.
Quang’s track record speaks for itself: he’s made the final table at his last three events, and his #12 all-time Power Ranking shows he’s always been one of our elite players while playing in only about half of our games. If the 2026 schedule works in his favor, expect him to be in the mix for multiple wins.
His wife Thuy is also a player to watch after validating her 2024 Comeback Player of the Year award with a dominant season-opening victory in 2025. She knocked out the final five players in a row at Event 1, totaling six eliminations on the night and establishing herself as one of the most aggressive and dangerous players in any field. Now ranked #9 all-time, Thuy has shown she can win tournaments and finish deep consistently. If both Nguyens can maintain their attendance, they may finally put together e year where both of them are at the top of the leaderboard.
Will Shealyn and Emma Make Their Occasional Appearances Count?
Shealyn had a strong 2025 campaign before moving to Northern California after graduating from UCLA. She made the money at the Spring Survivor event and finished runner-up in the Tag Team Championship, jumping from #17 in 2024 to #10 in 2025 despite playing just three games. Now settled up north, she’ll likely transition from regular competitor to guest star, making one or two appearances per year.
When she does make the trip south, expect her to be dangerous. Her last three PPC appearances resulted in two cashes and strong performances. The question is whether she can time her visits to maximize POY points or if she’ll simply show up for the fun of competing with old friends.
Similarly, Emma—winner of Shealyn’s first hosted tournament during her UCLA days—made an immediate impact in her first two PPC appearances, including a 2nd place finish alongside Shealyn in the Tag Team Championship. While her attendance will likely also be limited by the Northern California move, she’s proven she can compete with the best players at the PPC from day one.
Can These Veterans Finally Break Through?
Several accomplished players have been knocking on the door of their first PPC victory. 2026 could be the year they break through.
James has been one of our most consistent players across 20 career games, with five cashes and nine final tables along with a runner-up POY finish. Yet he’s never captured that elusive first victory. Now with his wife Peggy claiming her first POY award, James has both inspiration and friendly competition driving him. His disciplined, patient style has kept him competitive in nearly every event—he just needs the cards to cooperate at a final table.
Kara sits at #8 all-time with one career victory and an impressive 11 final tables in 15 games (73% final table rate—one of the best in PPC history). She came close to multiple wins in 2024, including two runner-up finishes, and made two more cashes in 2025. Her aggressive, fearless style makes her dangerous every time she sits down, and another victory feels inevitable if she maintains her usual attendance.
Steve is another player who’s been consistently strong without breaking through for a win. Ranked #13 all-time with 16 career games, he’s made 11 final tables and three cashes but hasn’t yet captured gold. His 2025 season showed he’s still competitive, finishing 9th in the POY race with a cash and two final tables.
New Faces and Returning Players
The PPC continues to grow, and several players will be looking to make their mark in 2026:
Hari played four games in his 2025 debut season, making two final tables and immediately establishing himself as a serious contender.
Sunil showed impressive skill in his first season, finishing 3rd at his first-ever Main Event and making two final tables in just three games. He and his wife Ravina (who also played three games) could become factors now that they are a regular part of the field.
Rob had a strong 2025 with a cash at the Spring Survivor event, and his #19 all-time ranking (8 career games) suggests he has the skills to compete for wins with more experience.
We may also see the returns of players like Lauren (two career wins, ranked #10 all-time), Altaf (two Main Event victories, ranked #17 all-time), and Kim (ranked #21 with three cashes in just four games). Each has shown they can win when the schedule allows them to attend.
Sam will make his PPC debut at the 2026 Season Opener and several friends of the Whittakers remain interested in joining when the scheduling cooperates.
Mark Your Calendars
With six unique formats, $2,300 in guaranteed prize pools, the new Bingo Challenge offering bonus chips for the Main Event, and a field that gets stronger with each passing season, the 2026 campaign promises to deliver unforgettable moments.
The season begins January 17—join us then, follow us on Instagram @pinnacle.poker.club, and get ready to shuffle up and deal!
What storyline are you most excited about? Who do you think will be Player of the Year? Leave a comment below and let us know your predictions for the 2026 season!