'I Am The Circuit G.O.A.T.' Says Maurice Hawkins After 14th WSOPC Ring Victory

Maurice Hawkins extended his WSOP Circuit supremacy by taking down his 14th gold ring at the Choctaw Durant stop, a victory worth $16,898 that also opens up a two-ring lead over his nearest rivals

A field of 218 entries paying $400 apiece produced a $71,940 prizepool in Oklahoma, Hawkins turning on the style as the turbo-style, one-day tournament reached the money.

“I was just kind of sitting there, got around 25 bigs, and then it was like poker time; ‘Let’s do this; Let’s make some things happen,’” explained Hawkins.

That brought him a commanding chip lead as the final table convened and his main rival turned out to be an old foe on the WSOP Circuit, Andy Robinson, a seven-time gold ring winner.

“We’ve been playing some pots the last two days. I would probably say he is one of the best players here,” Hawkins told reporters later. “It’s no shock that every time I get to a final table, Andy Robinson is at the final table.”

The duo had taken 3rd and 4th a couple of months previously in Choctaw, Robinson edging out Hawkins on that occasion for the podium spot, and this time round it came down to a heads-up battle.

The Texas pro put up a good fight, but the title went Hawkins way when he coolered his opponent – ace-king outgunning ace-queen in the final, hand to lift the title and the 14th ring of Hawkins’ career.

“Feel like I got my mojo back,” Hawkins revealed after his win, adding: “Feels good to know that the beginning of the year is going to end like it should, which means, that when you start the year off winning, it only can get better. It’s time to go up.”

Hawkins victory pulled him two rings ahead of nearest rivals Valentin Vornicu and Josh Reichard, both with 12 WSOPC wins.

The often controversial Hawkins boasted:

“Can’t nobody pass me unless I wanted them too, which means if I quit playing poker then they’ll get more rings than me. So, I am the Circuit G.O.A.T. We know this. There, the bar has been set. They count them for a reason."

Final results