Maurice Hawkins Breaks Own Record, Again, With 22nd WSOP Circuit Ring
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All-time World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring leader Maurice Hawkins extended his lead this week by winning his 22nd Circuit ring at WSOPC Tunica in Mississippi.
Hawkins' latest ring victory, which puts him even further in front of Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery, came in the $400 buy-in Mini Main, which surpassed the $150,000 guarantee with a prize pool of $206,250. He defeated heads-up opponent Cody Stanford, who himself has more than a half-dozen Circuit rings, to win the record-extending ring and $35,146.
"The winner of the Tunica Mini Main. Is your boy , for ring number 22," Hawkins wrote on X. Like I said , printing money is what do."
WSOPC Tunica Mini Main Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurice Hawkins | United States | $35,146 |
| 2 | Cody Stanford | United States | $23,408 |
| 3 | Jermaine Coleman | United States | $16,249 |
| 4 | Gerard Thorpe | United States | $11,507 |
| 5 | Cullen Oldham | United States | $8,317 |
| 6 | Joseph Brewer | United States | $6,138 |
| 7 | Alexander Hoff | United States | $4,627 |
| 8 | Benjamin Kramer | United States | $3,565 |
| 9 | Jason Morris | United States | $2,808 |
Hawkins Extends Circuit Lead
Even before winning the Mini Main, the second event of the series, Hawkins had a shot at a 22nd ring when he final tabled Event #1: $400 Double Stack Opener, ultimately finishing in fourth place for $4,261.
The record-extending victory is just the latest positive development this month for the polarizing poker player. Just weeks ago, a mediator who stepped in to rule on a financial dispute between Hawkins and a former backer found "no conclusive fault" on Hawkins's part.
The victory also sees Hawkins, who won both his 20th and 21st rings at WSOP Circuit Caesars New Orleans in August 2025, run away with the Circuit ring lead. Engel, a 20-time ring winner, made two runs at a record-tying 21st ring with two Circuit final tables this month but came up short both times. He'll now need two rings to tie Hawkins.
Lowery, meanwhile, sits third on the all-time ring list after winning his 19th ring in October 2025.
The WSOP Circuit Tunica stop got underway on Jan. 22 and runs through Feb. 2. Other players who have won rings so far include Charles Dawson (Event #5: $600 Black Chip Bounty - $12,0076), Michael Byers (Event #6: $400 Six Max - $14,020) and Weston Wallace (Event #7: $400 PLO 8 or Better - $9,069).
