A poker game that ran late into the night in Palm Beach County turned violent during Thanksgiving week when someone attacked Maurice Hawkins, a seasoned tournament player. This is what several videos and stories shared with news outlets show.
Video Shows Poker Pro Attacked During Heated Home-Game Dispute
The footage, which spread online, shows the long-time World Series of Poker Circuit star taking many hits while still sitting at the table. Other players stepped in to stop the fight from getting worse.
The fight broke out at a private home game where Hawkins was playing in a laid-back holiday session. People know Hawkins for his blunt personality and his many WSOP Circuit wins. People who were there said things got heated after a friendly chat about identity and where people come from took a weird turn. Other players said someone named Eugene got upset during the talk and ended up facing off with Hawkins after they went back and forth.
People who talked about the event said Hawkins, known for his bold attitude at and away from poker tables, had been mocking others about how good he was at different things, like boxing, as reported by PokerNews. Some people there thought these remarks made the room more tense. Soon after, the attacker got up and threw many punches before others pulled him away.
Hawkins Responds to Viral Fight Video, Says Footage Does Not Tell Full Story
After it happened, Hawkins put a video on social media. He disagreed with claims that he had been overpowered and said the videos going around online did not show everything. He seemed annoyed by the stories forming about the fight and said the attack surprised him while he was sitting down.
While fights do not happen often in poker circles, they do occur sometimes. This year, a few scuffles broke out in public cardrooms. In one case in Las Vegas, a player blacked out after an argument got out of hand. Private games, which do not have official oversight or guards, have also come under the microscope because of reports here and there about disagreements turning into fistfights.
Hawkins, who has won millions in live tournaments and is one of the top players on the WSOP Circuit, has had his fair share of heated moments over the years. He has been in the news for things other than playing cards, like when he has butted heads with other players and the people who back him.
Officials have not announced any official action about the Thanksgiving incident, and those involved have not said if they called the police.