Hawkins Breaks Record at WSOPC New Orleans with 20 Rings

The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) witnessed history at Harrah’s New Orleans when Maurice Hawkins captured his 20th WSOPC ring in Event #7: $600 Pot Limit Omaha. With this victory, Hawkins cemented his place as the all-time leader in WSOPC titles, surpassing his closest rivals Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery. Hawkins not only took home $14,548 in prize money but also secured a $5,000 package into the upcoming WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas. His dominant run highlighted both his consistency and his ability to shine under pressure on poker’s most competitive stages.

A Sun-Run to Victory

Hawkins entered the $600 Pot Limit Omaha event fresh from bagging a top-five stack in Flight A of the $400 Monster Stack. Confidence was high, and the Florida native felt it was going to be his day. After just nine hours of play, his instincts proved correct. He built his stack rapidly, running from 25,000 starting chips to 150,000 within the early levels. By the time the bubble burst, Hawkins sat with nearly 400,000 chips — more than three times the average. Despite some turbulence, he entered the final table third in chips and ready to make history.

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Road to the Final Table

The final table was stacked with talent and former WSOP ring winners. Key eliminations included:

• Dave Weiner (10th – $1,335)
• David Cook (9th – $1,445)
• Daniel Lowery (8th – $1,647), Hawkins’ long-time rival with 18 rings

As play continued, Hawkins knocked out several opponents, including Hariharan Rangarajan (6th – $2,474) and James Calloway (5th – $3,246), with his trademark aggressive style. A pivotal moment came when Hawkins flopped quad sixes against Calloway’s overpair, seizing control of the tournament. By the time he eliminated Gregory Headriek in fourth place for $4,448, Hawkins commanded over half the chips in play.

Heads-Up Showdown

When the dust settled, Hawkins faced Thai Cao heads-up for the title. Cao proved to be a formidable opponent, briefly seizing the chip lead and putting Hawkins’ 20th ring hopes in jeopardy. However, momentum swung when Hawkins doubled through with a flopped wheel. Moments later, Hawkins picked up pocket kings against Cao’s queens to clinch the title. Cao finished runner-up for $9,431, while Hawkins celebrated his record-breaking 20th WSOPC ring.

Final Table Results – WSOPC New Orleans Event #7

Hawkins Speaks Out

Following the win, Hawkins was his usual candid self:

“I am in a good place in my life and GOAT’s gonna goat. This is my Circuit, and my name is supposed to be at the top.”

He also credited the grind, his family, and close friends for keeping him motivated. With more than $6.4 million in career earnings, Hawkins continues to prove why he’s one of the most decorated players in WSOPC history.

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What’s Next for Hawkins?

The victory not only gave Hawkins a milestone 20th ring but also secured his seat at WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas this December, including entry into the $2,500 Mystery Bounty event. He has already hinted at chasing high rollers there, including the $25,000 and $50,000 events. And with a top-three stack in Event #6: $400 Monster Stack at New Orleans, Hawkins could add ring number 21 very soon.

FAQs

Q1. Who won the 20th WSOPC ring at New Orleans?
Maurice Hawkins captured his 20th WSOPC ring by winning Event #7: $600 Pot Limit Omaha.

Q2. How much did Maurice Hawkins win in Event #7?
He won $14,548 along with a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package.

Q3. Who were Hawkins’ biggest rivals in the ring race?
His main rivals are Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery, both among the all-time WSOPC ring leaders.

Q4. What’s next for Hawkins after this win?
Hawkins will compete in WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas and continue chasing more WSOPC titles.

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