There aren’t a ton of ‘soft’ remaining tables on the World Series of Poker. A $600 buy-in no-limit maintain’em and pot-limit Omaha bracelet occasion might need been one of many extra more likely to wind up populated by a listing of unknown hopefuls gunning for his or her first massive win. Instead, the 2026 operating of that occasion produced a high 9 that would arise in opposition to a few of the harder lineups of the summer time.
Seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu, and three-time bracelet winner Alex Foxen headlined the group. World Poker Tour champion and 17-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Josh Reichard, and record-holding 25-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Maurice Hawkins, additionally lower by way of the sphere of three,332 for a shot on the bracelet.
With that many recognizable names on the remaining desk, and the strain of an accelerated decrease buy-in construction, it was all however inevitable that two of the celebs would conflict.
With eight gamers remaining and blinds at 250,000-500,000 and a 500,000 massive blind ante, motion folded round to Negreanu within the hijack. He raised to 1,750,000. Hawkins three-bet from the large blind, wagering sufficient to place Negreanu all in. Negreanu known as for 4,675,000 whole, and the arms had been revealed.
Negreanu: Okay♥Q♥9♣7♣
Hawkins: A♣A♥J♦2♦
An Early Exit for Daniel Negreanu@RealKidPoker seemed set for an important double-up after turning a flush in opposition to @mauricehawkins.
But the river had different plans and noticed Kid Poker’s run in Event #28: $600 Mixed NLH/Pot-Limit Omaha come to an finish.
The poker legend collects… pic.twitter.com/FIjlLpF3yO
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 10, 2026
A Made-For-TV Runout
“You always have aces when I’m in there,” mentioned Negreanu.
“I do,” Hawkins replied, matter-of-factly.
Despite being up in opposition to aces, Negreanu’s odds stood round 42%, because of his two stay flush attracts and coordinated playing cards. The 6♥4♥4♦ flop provided direct outs for Negreanu, who wanted yet another coronary heart to make a flush.
The 10♥ offered precisely what Negreanu was after, making his flush. According to the Card Player Omaha odds calculator, Hawkins had a ten% likelihood of claiming the pot following this flip card.
The river was the 4♠, making Hawkins a full home, fours filled with aces. Hawkins shouted, “Let’s go!” twice as he stood up from the desk in pleasure. Negreanu, resigned to his destiny, headed out in eighth place ($24,347).
Hawkins went on to complete second on this match, shedding heads-up to first-time winner Brent Gregory. The all-time report holder for many WSOP Circuit rings remains to be looking for his first-ever bracelet. Hawkins has been a lightning rod for criticism lately, on account of allegations of unpaid poker money owed, amongst different points.
Negreanu received his long-awaited seventh profession WSOP bracelet within the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in 2024. That win broke an 11-year drought on the sequence. The Poker Hall of Famer stays one of the vital recognizable and common gamers within the poker world. Newly minted WSOP commentator Joe Stapleton put a bow on the robust runout as Negreanu made his exit from the set.
“Just the thing everybody wanted to see – fan favorite Maurice Hawkins eliminating villain Daniel Negreanu.”
Photo credit score: WSOP / Travis Ball
