Poker Star Maurice Hawkins Wins 24th WSOP Circuit Ring, Sparking Controversy

Hawkins' record-breaking victory draws criticism from fellow top players Shaun Deeb and Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:22am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high-stakes poker game, with players and cards broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the competitive and complex dynamics of the professional poker world.The ongoing tensions and rivalries between top poker players are reflected in this cubist-inspired illustration of a high-stakes game.Elgin Today

Maurice Hawkins, a prominent professional poker player, recently won his 24th career World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit ring, extending his all-time record. However, Hawkins' victory has drawn criticism from fellow top players Shaun Deeb and Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates, who have questioned the legitimacy of Hawkins' accomplishments and his financial dealings with backers.

Why it matters

Hawkins' record-breaking win highlights his dominance on the WSOP Circuit, but the backlash from other high-profile players underscores the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding Hawkins' poker career. The dispute sheds light on the complex dynamics and rivalries within the competitive world of professional poker.

The details

Hawkins celebrated his latest victory with a boastful social media post, declaring 'This is what dominance looks like.' However, his comments drew the ire of Deeb and Cates. Deeb accused Hawkins of relying on 'luck' and 'previous backers' to fuel his success, rather than true skill. Cates also criticized Hawkins, suggesting he needs to be 'properly accountable' for his past dealings with backers and stop 'playing the victim.' Hawkins fired back, telling Cates to 'keep my name out of your mouth.'

  • Hawkins won his 24th WSOP Circuit ring on April 5, 2026.
  • The WSOP Europe tournament is concluding on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Maurice Hawkins

A professional poker player who has won a record 24 WSOP Circuit rings.

Shaun Deeb

A top professional poker player who is currently in second place on the 2026 WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard.

Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates

A high-stakes professional poker player who has criticized Hawkins for his financial dealings with backers.

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What they’re saying

“The run is what you do when previous backers come by. Luck is no one else cares about those events who is actually good at poker or else you'd be nowhere near the top.”

— Shaun Deeb, Professional Poker Player

“You know, if you made all your debts right and didn't play the victim so much in spots where you're quite in the wrong you could have a decent thing going. And no, 'settling' your debts on the account that you are too broke to do so (while also bragging of your success) is not full accountability.”

— Daniel 'Jungleman' Cates, Professional Poker Player

What’s next

The WSOP Europe tournament, which concludes on Sunday, April 13, 2026, could provide an opportunity for Hawkins to further cement his legacy or for other top players to challenge his dominance.

The takeaway

The ongoing tensions and rivalries between top poker players are reflected in this controversy, which highlights the complex dynamics and controversies within the competitive world of professional poker.