Maurice Hawkins

Maurice Hawkins was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He began playing poker professionally in the mid-2000s, quickly making a name for himself in the competitive tournament circuit. His early success came on the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC), where his aggressive, high-pressure style proved highly effective in deep-stack tournaments.

Hawkins holds the all-time record for WSOP Circuit rings, with 25 victories as of 2026. His first ring came in December 2008 at Harrah’s Atlantic City, where he won $48,360. Over the next decade, he added rings at venues across the United States, including Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Palm Beach Kennel Club, Harrah’s Cherokee, and many others. His most lucrative ring win came in December 2016 at the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s Cherokee Main Event, where he earned $279,722. In February 2023, he added another $259,160 victory at the same venue. His most recent ring wins include February 2025 at Horseshoe Baltimore ($140,752) and February 2025 at Harrah’s Pompano Beach ($16,137).

Beyond the WSOP Circuit, Hawkins has recorded notable results in high-profile events. In the 2015 WPT Borgata Poker Open $3,500 Main Event, he finished 4th for $220,258. At the 2017 WSOP $1,500 Monster Stack, he placed 6th for $213,591. In 2014, he finished 9th in the WSOP $1,500 Millionaire Maker, earning $128,150. His deepest run in the WSOP Main Event came in 2023, where he was chip leader entering Day 3 and ultimately finished 35th for $280,100—his largest single cash. More recently, in the 2026 WSOP, he placed 2nd in Event #28: $600 Mixed Deepstack for $135,864, and 4th in Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship for $432,875. As of mid-2026, his total live tournament earnings exceed $7.6 million according to PokerNews, though Hendon Mob lists $6.34 million, and WSOP.com reports $5.6 million in WSOP-related earnings.

Hawkins is known for an aggressive, high-pressure style that frequently puts opponents to difficult decisions. He often uses position to his advantage, employing frequent preflop raises and continuation bets. He excels at deep-stack play, especially in large-field tournaments, where he applies relentless pressure on the river. His style requires strong risk tolerance and psychological insight, attributes that have earned him the nickname 'Ring King' but also contributed to his controversial reputation.

Hawkins has been involved in several controversies. The most notable arose during his 18th WSOP Circuit ring win in 2018 at Harrah’s New Orleans, when it was revealed that the third-place finisher had been incorrectly eliminated with the best hand. The tournament officials later acknowledged the error, but the result stood. In 2019, Hawkins was sued by Randy Garcia for failure to pay out Garcia’s share in a staking agreement. The court awarded Garcia $115,828 in damages, and in 2022 Garcia alleged that Hawkins had still not paid the full amount. These incidents, along with his outspoken presence on social media, have made him a polarizing figure in the poker community.

Hawkins continues to be a force on the WSOP Circuit. In 2025, he won the WSOP Circuit at Horseshoe Baltimore Main Event ($140,752) and added two rings at Harrah’s Pompano Beach. He also cashed in multiple events at the 2025 WSOP, including a 4th place in Event #75: $1,000 Mini Main Event ($3,050). The 2026 season has been especially strong: he recorded a win in the $400 Double Stack at Tunica ($10,473) and a win in the $400 No-Limit Hold’em at Beau Rivage ($35,146). He also placed second in the $500 Triple Stack at Beau Rivage ($80,944) and second in the $1,100 event at WSOP Circuit North Carolina ($68,907). At the 2026 WSOP, he had eight cashes, including a runner-up finish in Event #28 and a fourth place in Event #89 for $432,875, pushing his year-to-date earnings well over $600,000. As of August 2026, he ranks 33rd in the Card Player Player of the Year standings.

Maurice Hawkins has cemented his legacy as the most successful player in WSOP Circuit history, with a record 25 rings and over 100 final tables. His aggressive style and competitive drive have made him a fixture in the tournament scene for nearly two decades. Despite legal controversies, his tournament results speak for themselves, and he remains a formidable opponent in any deep-stack event.