Maurice Hawkins reinforced his status as the all-time leader on the World Series of Poker Circuit on Tuesday, capturing his 22nd WSOPC ring with a victory at Horseshoe Tunica. The win, worth $35,146, came in the $400 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed Mini Main Event, putting Hawkins two rings ahead of Ari Engel and three ahead of Dan Lowery atop the all-time leaderboard. He also remains the tour’s all-time money leader, with nearly $3.2 million in WSOPC earnings.
Hawkins’ 2026 Milestone
This marks Hawkins’ first ring of 2026, coming just five months after his 21st WSOPC victory in New Orleans. Tunica has proven a fruitful venue for Hawkins, who has three career wins there, matching his success at Harrah’s New Orleans and Palm Beach Kennel Club. Harrah’s Cherokee stands as his most successful stop, with four wins. Overall, six of Hawkins’ 22 career WSOPC victories have come in main events.
Hawkins’ rivalry with Ari Engel has defined the leaderboard in recent years. The pair traded the all-time lead multiple times: Engel tied Hawkins in August 2023, briefly took the solo lead in October 2023, and the two exchanged wins through March 2025, with Hawkins securing back-to-back victories in New Orleans to pull ahead once again.
Controversy in the Mix
Despite his achievements, Hawkins has faced controversy. Several former backers publicly criticized him for failing to honor agreements, and he was also the victim of a tableside attack in late 2025. Nevertheless, his record remains unmatched in WSOPC history.
Selected Career WSOP Circuit Highlights – Maurice Hawkins
| Event | Prize | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #2 – $400 Mini Main Event | $35,146 | Jan 2026 |
| Harrah’s New Orleans Event #11 – $400 NLHE | $12,996 | Aug 2025 |
| Harrah’s New Orleans Event #7 – $600 PLO | $14,548 | Aug 2025 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #6 – $400 Monster Stack | $34,711 | Apr 2025 |
| Horseshoe Baltimore Event #10 – $1,700 Main Event | $140,752 | Mar 2025 |
| Harrah’s Pompano Beach Event #15 – $400 Grand Master 40/40/40 | $16,137 | Feb 2025 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #13 – $1,700 Main Event | $259,160 | May 2024 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #16 – $2,200 High Roller | $54,599 | May 2023 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #8 – $400 Monster Stack | $31,372 | Apr 2019 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #4 – $600 NLHE | $44,297 | Apr 2019 |
Hawkins’ continued dominance at multiple venues, combined with his prolific consistency in both main and side events, cements his legacy as the WSOP Circuit’s all-time great. His pursuit of further milestones in 2026 is sure to keep the poker world watching closely.
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