The win marks Hawkins’ first ring of 2026 and further separates him from his closest rivals
Maurice Hawkins added another chapter to his World Series of Poker Circuit legacy on Tuesday, capturing his 22nd career ring with a victory at. The win strengthens his hold on the top spot of the all-time WSOPC leaderboard and further separates him from his closest rivals.
Hawkins earned $35,146 by taking down the $400 buy-in Mini Main Event, which carried a $150,000 guarantee. The result pushes him two rings clear of Ari Engel and three ahead of Dan Lowery. He also continues to lead the tour in total earnings, now sitting just under $3.2 million in WSOP Circuit cashes.
The Tunica win marked Hawkins’ first ring of 2026 and came five months after his previous title run in New Orleans. Tunica has been a productive stop for him over the years, accounting for three of his 22 circuit victories. Other strong locations include Harrah’s Cherokee, where he has won four times, along with multiple wins in New Orleans and Palm Beach.
Six of Hawkins’ titles have come in main events, underlining his ability to perform deep into large-field tournaments. His consistency across venues and formats has kept him in a near-constant battle with Engel for the top spot over the past few seasons. The two have traded the lead several times since 2023, with momentum swinging back and forth almost yearly.
Hawkins’ recent surge included back-to-back wins in New Orleans, allowing him to regain control of the leaderboard after Engel briefly moved ahead again last fall. The Tunica victory now gives Hawkins some breathing room, though the rivalry remains active.
Despite his success, Hawkins’ career has not been free of controversy. Past disputes with former backers have drawn public criticism, and he was also involved in a physical incident at the table late last year. Even so, his results continue to speak loudly, and his latest ring reinforces his place at the top of the WSOP Circuit record books.
