🎙️ The Winning Point is a podcast about Riftbound and the world of competitive card games. Hosted by seasoned casters and players, we dive into gameplay mechanics, community stories, and what it means to grow a new TCG from the ground up. Whether you’re a pro, a casual, or just card-curious, join us as we explore Riot’s newest card game and everything around it.
Riven is Clearly the BEST Deck in Riftbound. Can Anything Stop Her?
Riot's 2027 Riftbound Premier Play update is here, with a ranked ladder up to Grandmaster, free badges for the top 50 and Continentals in Dallas, Melbourne, London and Toronto, and we argue about who it really helps. Then Nam Dang's Riven wins LDXP Sacramento at 63% across the weekend: would one ban even fix her, and what can beat her at RC Stuttgart?
TCGplayer is an official partner of Turn ’em Sideways!Pick up every card in this deck on TCGplayer through our link: → https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/7805033/1780961/21018ENDGAME Sleeves are an official sponsor of Turn ’em Sideways!Use code TURN10 at checkout for 10% off your order!→ https://endgametcg.ca/
⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:14 Morning Announcements
4:45 Organized Play
28:55 LDXP Sacramento
48:40 Question of the Week: Stuttgart 🎃 RiftAtlas Convergence #4 this Saturday, sold out at 256 players, $5,500 prize pool, live on this channel: https://topdeck.gg/event/convergence-4
🛒 Score pads, playmats and TCG accessories: https://shop.turnemsideways.gg/
23 Oct 2026
Riot BANNED Koko Lopez Until 2029: Was It Enough? | Winning Point Ep. 68
Riot banned Koko Lopez from sanctioned Riftbound events until January 1, 2029, for intentionally stacking his rune deck at RQ Los Angeles, and all three of us call it fair: two years and change sends the message. Pastry is back with Blevins and Charmer for that, the Nation Clash and PCG grading at RC Stuttgart, Riven taking five of the top eight in the first Riftbound Radiance results, and whether you should ever pile shuffle.TCGplayer is an official partner of Turn ’em Sideways!Pick up every card in this deck on TCGplayer through our link: → https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/7805033/1780961/21018ENDGAME Sleeves are an official sponsor of Turn ’em Sideways!Use code TURN10 at checkout for 10% off your order!→ https://endgametcg.ca/
0:00 Episode 68: Pastry is back, Cas is away1:38 Morning announcements3:39 Riot bans Koko Lopez until 202918:09 RC Stuttgart32:11 Riot respects the secondary market34:48 Our Pre-Rift weekend39:28 First Radiance results: Riven everywhere41:47 Is Kai'Sa a contender again?44:59 Secret tech before the RC48:16 Mailbag: should you pile shuffle?
16 Oct 2026
Riftbound's Biggest Cheating Scandal: Should Riot BAN Koko Lopez?
Koko Lopez was disqualified at RQ Los Angeles, dropped by Challenger TCG, and Riot says they're looking into it. The Winning Point crew breaks down Riftbound's most high-profile cheating case, whether Riot should ban him and for how long, and how players can cheat without knowing it: rune deck weaving, how many shuffles is enough, and the marked-card trap with your chosen champion.
Then the Radiance brews to bring to your Pre-Rift: Cas's Mordekaiser, Iron Revenant First 40. Renekton, Butcher of the Sands finally working with Coalesced Energy. Then Jarvan IV, Exemplar of Demacia with the Demacian Standard trick and Dockside Lock-Up. Plus Level 0 for the Stuttgart Regional Championship: Riven, The Exile with Astral Heron and Baron Nashor, and Kennen back with Trifarian Captain and Nocturne.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 Between Two Beards: The Winning Point Ep 677:09 Koko Lopez9:58 Riot's Response24:56 Cas's Mordekaiser 34:21 Renekton38:13 Jarvan IV50:19 Riven57:10 Kennen (is back)60:26 Stuttgart & Pre-Rift legend picks
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