A high-stakes clash at the 2026 World Series of Poker saw Maurice Hawkins bust Daniel Negreanu in a dramatic river turn, sparking excitement at the final table.
Key Takeaways
* Maurice Hawkins eliminated Daniel Negreanu at the World Series of Poker final table in a $600 Mixed NLH/PLO event.
* The final table featured a lineup of accomplished poker players, including multiple bracelet and circuit ring winners.
* Hawkins secured the pot with a rivered full house, overcoming Negreanu’s turned flush in a pivotal hand.
High-Stakes Drama at the World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) often delivers unexpected moments, and the 2026 $600 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha bracelet event was no exception. While lower buy-in tournaments sometimes feature less experienced fields, this particular event defied expectations, drawing a final table packed with poker’s notable figures. Out of 3,332 entrants, the top nine included some of the game’s most recognized names, setting the stage for an intense battle for the coveted WSOP bracelet.
Among the contenders were seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu and three-time bracelet winner Alex Foxen. They were joined by World Poker Tour champion and 17-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Josh Reichard, alongside Maurice Hawkins, who holds a record 25 WSOP Circuit rings. With such a concentration of talent and the accelerated structure of a lower buy-in event, a significant clash between stars was anticipated.
The Pivotal Hand: Negreanu vs. Hawkins
The tension escalated with eight players remaining, as blinds reached 250,000-500,000 with a 500,000 big blind ante. Daniel Negreanu, positioned in the hijack, initiated the action with a raise to 1,750,000. Maurice Hawkins, in the big blind, responded with a three-bet, putting Negreanu to the test for his remaining stack. Negreanu committed his 4,675,000 chips, and the cards were revealed.
Negreanu: K♥ Q♥ 9♣ 7♣
Hawkins: A♣ A♥ J♦ 2♦
Negreanu faced a challenging situation against Hawkins’ pocket aces, but his hand offered strong flush draws and coordinated cards, giving him approximately 42% equity pre-flop. The board ran out in a way that built considerable drama.
A Made-For-TV Runout
The flop came 6♥ 4♥ 4♦, providing Negreanu with a direct flush draw. He needed one more heart to complete his flush, while Hawkins’ aces remained strong but vulnerable. The turn card, the 10♥, was exactly what Negreanu needed, completing his flush and putting him in a commanding position. At this point, a poker odds calculator indicated Hawkins’ chances of winning the pot had dropped to 10%.
However, the river had a final twist. The 4♠ landed on the board, pairing the board and giving Hawkins a full house – fours full of aces. The dramatic river card shifted the outcome entirely. Hawkins reacted with an outburst of excitement, shouting “Let’s go!” as he rose from the table. Negreanu, accepting his fate, exited the tournament in eighth place, collecting $24,347.
Tournament Aftermath and Player Context
Maurice Hawkins continued his run, ultimately finishing second in the tournament. He lost heads-up to Brent Gregory, who secured his first WSOP bracelet. Despite holding the record for the most WSOP Circuit rings, Hawkins continues his pursuit of a maiden WSOP bracelet. Hawkins has also been the subject of discussion in recent years, including allegations concerning unpaid poker debts.
Daniel Negreanu, a Poker Hall of Famer and one of poker’s most recognizable figures, had previously ended an 11-year bracelet drought in 2024, winning his seventh career WSOP bracelet in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. His exit from the $600 Mixed NLH/PLO event was captured by WSOP commentator Joe Stapleton, who remarked on the unexpected turn of events: “Just the thing everybody wanted to see – fan favorite Maurice Hawkins eliminating villain Daniel Negreanu.”
Photo credit: WSOP / Travis Ball
I remember the first time I saw Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s gambling city, I thought I was in a fairy tale. All the lights blinking, the music and the monumental buildings, what 9-year-old wouldn’t think they’ve come to a magical place? It was my father who brought me, dragging me along and when inside I was hit by the smell of frying duck. As soon as I hit 21 I returned to Kai Tak, A bit nervous to see if my mind had embellished the memory, but it hadn’t. Kai Tak was still a magical place. I decided I wanted to spend as much time as I could at this place, so I did.
