Maurice Hawkins Claims Historic 25th WSOPC Ring at Cherokee

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Mon May 18, 2026, 10:00 am ET

Read Time: 3 minutes

Maurice Hawkins Claims Historic 25th WSOPC Ring at Cherokee

poker

Maurice Hawkins captured his 25th WSOP Circuit gold ring at Harrah's Cherokee after winning the $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em event. Hawkins outlasted a field of 631 entries.

He earned $113,223 for the victory and strengthened his position as the most decorated player in WSOPC history. The result pushed him five rings clear of his nearest competitors on the all-time leaderboard.

Importantly, the win carried an unusual contrast that fueled much of the discussion around it. Just weeks after securing ring #24, Hawkins filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, placing his financial situation under legal scrutiny.

That backdrop made his continued success on the poker felt a striking storyline, as he maintained elite results while dealing with serious off-table financial pressure.

Despite that tension away from the tables, Hawkins delivered another deep run in Cherokee and converted it into a title. He worked through a tough final-day structure and positioned himself for another shot at history as the field narrowed.

Maurice Hawkins: His Final Table Run at Harrah's Cherokee $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em

The final table included several experienced players, most notably WSOP bracelet winner James Calderaro and fellow deep-runner Brandon Newsome, who finished third. Hawkins stayed near the top of the counts through the late stages and avoided major confrontations until the field condensed.

Once heads-up play began, Hawkins faced Calderaro in a matchup that carried both competitive and personal familiarity. The two are long-time friends, but the tone shifted as the final duel unfolded.

Hawkins mentioned that he intentionally reduced table talk during heads-up play, choosing to stay silent and focus entirely on decision-making. That approach changed the dynamic at the table as the match progressed hand by hand.

Hawkins steadily accumulated chips through selective aggression and controlled pots, gradually pulling ahead. Calderaro struggled to regain momentum as Hawkins maintained pressure in key spots.

Eventually, Hawkins closed out the match after securing a decisive pot that ended the tournament and locked up the milestone ring.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Winnings
1 Maurice Hawkins USA $113,223
2 James Calderaro USA $75,460
3 Brandon Newsome USA $51,920
4 Cory Biddle USA $36,418
5 Toby Boas USA $26,050
6 Dave Alfa USA $21,247
7 Derrick Perry USA $14,160
8 Jarod Minghini USA $10,770
9 Jason Gladden USA $8,367

Hawkins Extends WSOP Circuit Separation at the Top

The victory moves Hawkins to 25 WSOP Circuit rings, extending a clear lead over the rest of the field. Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery sit tied for second place with 20 rings each. That gap highlights how far Hawkins has pulled ahead in the Circuit's all-time standings.

After the win, Hawkins outlined his long-term vision for his poker career. He intends to continue playing for another 20 years and believes the record could reach "200 or 250 rings." The comment reflects his high-volume approach and confidence in sustained success.

Moreover, Hawkins' results also continue to resonate beyond the live circuit. Discussions across both live reporting and US online poker sites where WSOP Circuit achievements often drive broader poker debate now talk about Hawkins' dominance.

For now, Hawkins remains alone at the summit of WSOP Circuit history, with his latest victory reinforcing a record that continues to grow.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.