Ari Engel reaches his 21st WSOP Circuit ring after Lowery's victory
Ari Engel adds his 21st World Series of Poker Circuit ring just one day after Daniel Lowery matched the same number of titles, both closing in on Maurice Hawkins' historic record.
Key Takeaways
- Ari Engel secured his 21st WSOP Circuit ring on Wednesday in Council Bluffs.
- Daniel Lowery earned his own 21st ring just one day prior, winning Event #7: $400 Big O.
- Maurice Hawkins holds the historical lead with 26 rings, while Engel and Lowery share second place.
- The events at Horseshoe Council Bluffs saw 96 and 68 entries respectively.
- The race for the record remains open, but Hawkins maintains a substantial lead in titles.
Ari Engel achieved his 21st WSOP Circuit ring this Wednesday at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs, just 24 hours after Daniel Lowery reached the same milestone. Both players are now tied for second place on the all-time World Series of Poker Circuit list, just behind Maurice Hawkins, who leads with 26 titles. These results solidify Engel and Lowery as key players on the circuit, intensifying the race for the absolute record.
Two legends reach 21 WSOP Circuit rings
During the latest stop of the WSOP Circuit at Horseshoe Council Bluffs, Daniel Lowery and Ari Engel again etched their names in the history of live poker. Lowery was the first to earn his 21st ring after triumphing in the Event #7: $400 Big O, overcoming a field of 96 entries and taking home a prize of $8,607. Engel, who also reached the final table, finished in third position with $3,672.
Lowery, who started Day 2 as the short stack among the eleven survivors, climbed to victory, claiming his first title since March when he won at Hard Rock Tulsa against 480 players in a $300 Seniors event. This victory marks his third ring in variants other than Hold'em, having previously won two titles in Pot-Limit Omaha.
Final table results $400 Big O (96 entries)
- Daniel Lowery: $8,607
- Sean Moore: $5,502
- Ari Engel: $3,672
- Baxter Wirth: $2,562
- Dee Wampler: $1,873
- Steven Schulte: $1,437
- Timothy Garles: $1,161
- Kristopher Wilcox: $990
Ari Engel increases his count the next day
Failing to secure the title on Tuesday, Engel had another opportunity immediately in the Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold'em. He started Day 2 as the chip leader with 367,000 chips, closely followed by Theresa Morley, who had 364,000. Both reached heads-up, where Morley established a 4 to 1 chip lead over Engel.
At a crucial moment, Engel made a hero call on the turn with only second pair, a decision that allowed him to turn the duel around. After this pot, he controlled the endgame until victory, earning $6,613 and his first ring in Council Bluffs since last year.
Final table results $400 No-Limit Hold'em (68 entries)
- Ari Engel: $6,613
- Theresa Morley: $4,094
- Mark Fink: $2,790
- Jarryd Hawkins: $1,992
- Matthew Alexander: $1,493
- Jesse Keel: $1,178
- Jacob Long: $981
- Daniel Biddle: $866
- Donnie Phan: $811
The historical WSOP Circuit ring leaderboard
The leadership of WSOP circuit rings resides with Maurice Hawkins, who has widened the gap over the last year to reach 26 titles, adding five more in 2026. Engel and Lowery, both now with 21 rings, are at the forefront of the chase. Engel believes that Hawkins still maintains a significant advantage.
"Maurice wins enough that it's tough to catch him. I'm five behind, so I don't think it's an open race yet, but maybe if I win a couple more," Engel stated after his triumph.
In the ranks below, Mike Setera has 18 and both Josh Reichard and Mike Lavin hold 17 rings each. The current difference seems to keep Hawkins' record safe, although Engel thinks Lowery could close the gap if he chooses to participate in more stops.
The context of the WSOP Circuit in Council Bluffs
Horseshoe Council Bluffs remains a traditional stop on the American circuit. For operators and sponsors, tracking the performance of figures like Engel, Lowery, and Hawkins helps to understand the evolution of live poker and the incentives for the loyalty of regular players in regional series. The participation figures —96 entries in the Big O and 68 in the NLH event— reflect a solid base for mid-buy-in events, relevant for events and operators interested in the US market.
Can the leadership change in 2026?
With Hawkins setting the pace over the last year, the question is whether Engel or Lowery will be able to accelerate their schedule to approach the record. For now, the scenario suggests that competition at the top of the ranking will remain, but without an immediate resolution in the short term.
Historical WSOP Circuit ring leaders:
- Maurice Hawkins: 26
- Ari Engel / Daniel Lowery: 21
- Mike Setera: 18
- Josh Reichard / Mike Lavin: 17
The upcoming circuit stops will be key to measuring whether the gap can close again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the historical WSOP Circuit ring ranking?
Maurice Hawkins tops the list with 26 rings, followed by Ari Engel and Daniel Lowery, each with 21 titles after their victories in Council Bluffs.
In which events did Engel and Lowery earn their recent WSOP Circuit rings?
Daniel Lowery triumphed in Event #7: $400 Big O and Ari Engel in Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold'em, both at Horseshoe Council Bluffs.
What were the payouts for the champions of the recent WSOP Circuit events in Council Bluffs?
Daniel Lowery received $8,607 for his victory in the Big O and Ari Engel, $6,613 after winning the No-Limit Hold'em.
Are there possibilities for Engel or Lowery to catch Maurice Hawkins in the short term?
For now, Engel considers the five-ring difference to be significant and doesn't see an immediate race, although he acknowledges Lowery's potential if he engages in more stops.
How many entries did the Council Bluffs events have where Engel and Lowery won?
The Event #7: Big O recorded 96 entries and Event #9: No-Limit Hold'em had 68 entries at Horseshoe Council Bluffs.
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About the author
Sofía Carrasco
Poker Correspondent
Sofía Carrasco covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT to the daily room grind, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, pot, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For player moves, software, and regulation across the poker economy, Sofía Carrasco is the first read.
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