Maurice Hawkins won the opening event of the World Series of Poker Circuit stop at Grand Victoria Casino outside of Chicago, Illinois, extending his record for most WSOP Circuit rings with 24.
Hawkins’ victory came in event no. 1 of the 2026 WSOP Circuit‘s stop in Illinois, a $400 buy-in double stack no-limit hold’em event. He outlasted a field of 230 entrants to win a first-place prize of $17,419. It’s his third WSOPC win of 2026 so far, following his pair of titles at Horseshoe Tunica back in late January and early February.
Each victory further expanded Hawkins’ lead over what’s now a tie between two players at 20. Ari Engel won his 20th WSOP Circuit ring back in September 2025, while Dan Lowery matched Engel at 20 wins back in March.
Hawkins’ 24th ring is his first at Grand Victoria Casino, the 12th different venue in which he’s won at least one ring. All but one of Hawkins’ WSOP Circuit rings have come in some form of no-limit Hold’em.
Not a run.
Not luck.
This is what dominance looks like. While they were chasing heaters…
I was building edges.
24 WSOP Circuit rings later — still printing.Different mindset. Different results.
#MHPokerLab#Wsopc#HawksView#MauriceHawkinsPoker#HallOFFame pic.twitter.com/TuZ9Gd05Pf
— EatingOnAllStages (@mauricehawkins) April 5, 2026
Hawkins’ celebratory post on X spilled into a barrage of messages in the comment section, which featured Shaun Deeb and Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates, among others. Deeb, an eight-time WSOP bracelet winner and multi-time WSOP Circuit winner, has been one of Hawkins’ most vocal critics.
Cates has been an advocate for Hawkins to repay alleged debts that have tarnished Hawkins’ reputation despite his growing record of wins. Hawkins was unapologetic in responding to both prominent pros.
Maurice Hawkins’ WSOP Circuit Record
| Event | Prize | Date |
| Grand Victoria Casino Event #1 – $400 No-Limit Hold’em | $17,419 | April, 2026 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #18 – $400 No-Limit Hold’em | $10,473 | February, 2026 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #2 – $400 Mini Main Event | $35,146 | January, 2026 |
| Harrah’s New Orleans Event #11 – $400 No-Limit Hold’em | $12,996 | August, 2025 |
| Harrah’s New Orleans Event #7 – $600 Pot-Limit Omaha | $14,548 | August, 2025 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #6: $400 Monster Stack | $34,711 | April, 2025 |
| Horseshoe Baltimore Event #10: $1,700 Main Event | $140,752 | March, 2025 |
| Harrah’s Pompano Beach Event #15: $400 Grand Master 40/40/40 | $16,137 | February, 2025 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #13: $1,700 Main Event | $259,160 | May, 2024 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #16: $2,200 No-Limit Hold’em | $54,599 | May, 2023 |
| Choctaw Durant Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | $16,898 | January, 2020 |
| Horseshoe Tunica Event #8: $400 Monster Stack | $31,372 | April, 2019 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #4: $600 No-Limit Hold’em | $44,297 | April, 2019 |
| Harrah’s New Orleans Event #8: $2,200 No-Limit Hold’em | $71,680 | May, 2018 |
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs Event #10: $1,675 Main Event | $97,561 | April, 2017 |
| Palm Beach Kennel Club Event #12: $365 No-Limit Hold’em | $13,527 | February, 2017 |
| Palm Beach Kennel Club Event #10: $1,675 Main Event | $95,921 | November, 2016 |
| Harrah’s Cherokee Event #10: $1,675 Main Event | $279,722 | April, 2016 |
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs Event #11: $1,675 Main Event | $113,152 | April, 2016 |
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs Event #9: $365 Monster Stack | $19,477 | April, 2016 |
| Palm Beach Kennel Club Event #1: $580 No-Limit Hold’em | $183,498 | February, 2014 |
| Horseshoe Southern Indiana Event #10: $1,060 No-Limit Hold’em | $39,816 | October, 2009 |
| Caesars Palace Event #1: $1,060 No-Limit Hold’em | $40,355 | April, 2009 |
| Harrah’s Atlantic City Event #4: $560 No-Limit Hold’em | $48,360 | December, 2008 |
Photo via Hawkins’ X account.
