Maurice Hawkins Ties WSOPC Ring Record
Maurice Hawkins won the ninth WSOP Circuit ring of his career Feb. 20 after claiming the final WSOP gold ring event at Palm Beach Kennel Club. Hawkins is now tied with Alex Masek as the circuit’s all-time leader with nine rings.
According to the WSOP live updates, Hawkins won the ring in a $365 No-Limit Hold’em event after a heads-up duel with Florida’s Waller Everitt. He collected $13,527 for first place, while Everitt took home $8,360.
The event generated 167 entries for a total prize pool of $50,100. The final 18 finished in the money.
Official Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurice Hawkins | West Palm Beach, Florida | $13,527 |
| 2 | Waller Everitt | North Palm Beach, Florida | $8,360 |
| 3 | Robert Williamson | Jupiter, Florida | $6,018 |
| 4 | Deano Maroulis | Closter, New Jersey | $4,410 |
| 5 | Joseph Tumminelli | Port St Lucie, Florida | $3,290 |
| 6 | Carlos Loving | Tampa, Florida | $2,496 |
| 7 | Jeff Riberdy | Mooresville, North Carolina | $1,927 |
| 8 | Gregory Kolo | Rocky River, Ohio | $1,512 |
| 9 | Arkadiy Tsinis | Miami, Florida | $1,205 |
No stranger to the circuit, Hawkins also has three WSOPC Main Event titles and over $2 million in total live earnings, according to The Hendon Mob.
The 37-year-old West Palm Beach resident, known for his incessant chatter at the tables, wasted no time opening up after the record-tying victory.
“I’m a good dude,” he said during a candid interview. “Most people are pompous assholes. And I really don’t give a damn if they like me or not. We’re from two different places. I’m not taking anything from them, but I’ve earned everything I’ve gotten in my life. If they don’t like me, they can really kiss my ass. I would rather be under-respected and overpaid than over-respected and underpaid.”
Hawkins said his behavior on the felt is one thing and at the bar is another. He said that he plays to “keep the lights on” for his wife and four children.
“Poker’s tough,” he said. “Name one poker player that hasn’t been depressed. Because it’s tough. You have unreal expectations to win a tournament. You go city to city away from your family… to get a win is satisfying. It just makes for that good feeling again, and that’s what it’s all about.”
