Maurice Hawkins Racially Abused at WSOP

Maurice Hawkins was livid at the World Series of Poker organisers this evening after being racially abused at the table, and seeing the player who called him ‘Nigger’ only receiving a one day penalty from the series.

Witnesses to the abuse also expressed their disgust at the paltry penalty handed out and several others have called for the player behind the foul language to be named and shamed…

Hawkins is a poker player with over $3million in tournament cashes to his name, last month winning his 11th WSOP Circuit ring, but last night’s Main Event day two confrontation had him wishing he was anywhere but the Rio Casino…

Paul Campbell, the Tournament Director at the Aria Casino in Vegas, gave his view on such abuse and a one day penalty certainly wouldn’t have been his way of dealing with it…

Although some posts brought up Hawkins past dubious behaviour as a possible justification for the racist abuse, there were plenty of others quick to shoot that approach down in flames…

…and for WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel to comment on the incident...

Falling outs, arguments and even fights have been seen at the World Series before, but racist language is a new one for most players – although last year saw a somewhat similar situation arise on day 1b of the Main Event…

…with only a 3-round penalty handed out. 

Today’s story has a happy ending of sorts, however, with Hawkins posting a update that Jack Effel did indeed take matters in hand…

...Daniel Negreanu quick to support the decision…