Maurice Hawkins Extends Record with 25th WSOP Circuit Ring at Harrah's Cherokee

mrinal-gujare
By Mrinal Gujare
20 May 2026
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Mrinal Gujare 20 May 2026
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  • Maurice Hawkins secures a record 25th WSOP Circuit ring at Harrah's Cherokee.
  • Earns $113,233 and boosts career winnings past $7 million.
  • Continues success despite recent bankruptcy controversy.
Maurice Hawkins
Image Credit: PokerGo
Maurice Hawkins won his 25th World Series of Poker Circuit ring at Harrah’s Cherokee, earning $113,233. This victory extends his official record and pushes his career earnings past seven million dollars despite recent controversies surrounding his public Florida bankruptcy filing.

Maurice Hawkins continued his winning ways on the felt by capturing his 25th World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring, extending his own all-time record. 

The polarizing figure in poker took down Event #9: $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em at Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina, earning a top prize of $113,233 after beating out a field of 631 entrants.

The victory came against a final table stacked with accomplished professionals. Hawkins ultimately defeated James Calderaro heads-up for the title to secure the milestone victory. 

Calderaro, the runner-up who took home $75,400, is an established WSOP bracelet winner with over $6.5 million in live tournament cashes recorded by The Hendon Mob. 

The final table line-up also featured eighth-place finisher Jarod Minghini, who earned $10,770. Minghini holds five Circuit rings of his own and has accumulated $2.4 million in live tournament cashes.

With his latest triumph in North Carolina, Hawkins surpassed the $7 million mark for his career. He won his first Circuit ring in 2008 and has added another three already this year. 

Hawkins already held the record and is now lapping the competition, as Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery are tied for a distant second place with 20 rings each. Alleged debts and controversies aside, Hawkins remains the King of the WSOP Circuit.
Place Player Prize
1 Maurice Hawkins $113,223
2 James Calderaro $75,460
3 Brandon Newsome $51,920
4 Corey Biddle $36,418
5 Toby Boas $26,050
6 Dave Alfa $21,247
7 Derrick Perry $14,160
8 Jarod Minghini $10,770
9 Jason Gladden $8,367
Beyond his on-felt success, Hawkins made headlines in recent weeks when PokerNews reported that the Circuit record holder had filed for bankruptcy in Florida. 

He subsequently appeared on the PokerNews Podcast to tell his side of the story. During the appearance, he engaged in a heated discussion with co-host Mike Holtz, who accused the WSOPC crusher of attempting to "squirm and wiggle your way out of all these debts."

The WSOP Circuit series at Harrah's Cherokee, which features a total of 18 ring events, wraps on Monday with the conclusion of the $1,700 buy-in Main Event. Following the completion of this stop, World Series of Poker action will shift to Las Vegas for the 100-bracelet summer series.

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