Winning back-to-back Seniors events at the recent WSOP Circuit series in Tulsa, 18-time Circuit ring winner Daniel Lowery continues to make the race for the all-time lead competitive with fellow crushers Ari Engel and Maurice Hawkins.
Las Vegas, Nevada (March 21, 2025) - The ongoing race for the all-time lead for WSOP Circuit tournament victories has had what may be its most intense month to date.
Winning the $35,000 GTD Big $500 in the recent Online WSOP Super Circuit for $10,141 and his 19th career Circuit ring, Ari Engel broke the brief tie he had with Maurice Hawkins, who took down the last WSOPC Main Event at the Baltimore Horseshoe for ring #18 and the $140,752 top prize.
While casual WSOP fans may see this as a two-way race, regulars on the WSOP Circuit know it would be a mistake to overlook one of the most decorated WSOPC grinders: Daniel Lowery.
Long being in the mix for the all-time WSOP Circuit ring lead himself, just when it looked like Engel and Hawkins were starting to pull away at the top of the standings, Lowery pulled off the incredible achievement of winning two events in a single WSOPC series.
Winning both Seniors events at the recent WSOP Circuit series at the Tulsa Hard Rock for $17,187 and $15,831, Lowery secured rings 17 and 18 to be tied once again with Hawkins for the second most all-time.
Daniel Lowery posing with ring #18. (Photo courtesy of 8131 Media)
A regular at WSOP Circuit final tables across the United States, Lowery continues his campaign for the all-time lead that has now lasted for years.
While having accomplished seemingly all one can on the WSOP Circuit, Lowery reflected on his recent achievement of winning two rings in a single WSOPC series when asked for comment by the WSOP Media Team.
“I’ve been close a few times at winning two in a series. I hardly ever get to play a whole series, so to win two felt great!”
A father of four who owns a sawmill in his home state of Arkansas, Lowery strikes a balance with family, work, and poker that continues to foster success on the felt. While he may not grind the tournament scene like full-time pros, playing less volume has failed to keep Lowery from being one of the most accomplished WSOP Circuit players of all time.
Although his commitment to his family and work life may impact how often he travels the Circuit, being within reach of the #1 spot on the all-time wins list certainly motivates Lowery to keep chasing it.
“I’ve said it many times that I’d love to be on top just one time,” Lowery said. “It'll be tough unless I devote more time to playing the Circuit exclusively. All in all, it’s a pipe dream for me, but without that dream I’d have little motivation to travel. I have a full-time job and family to support, so time restraints for a part-time wanna-be poker pro like myself usually hinders me from really putting in the volume needed to get on top, but it definitely won’t keep me from trying.”
Lowery cites all-time WSOP Circuit ring leader Ari Engel as being one of his poker idols.
As Lowery has continued to add to his career WSOP Circuit ring total and build his legacy as one of the Circuit’s most accomplished players, crossing paths with Engel and Hawkins is unavoidable as the three players continue to battle for the #1 spot.
Although a rivalry with Engel and Hawkins is natural, Lowery will be the first to sing the praises of his fellow Circuit greats.
“I’ve known Mo for 14 years. We’ve never had harsh words with each other and generally respect each other at the table always. He’s a great player and I always try to congratulate him on all his successes,” Lowery said when talking about Hawkins. “The leaderboard actually never comes up between us. He has a habit of winning all the Main Events and all the money, hard not to be envious of that. He’s proven to be the all-time greatest on the Circuit.”
Speaking on current all-time WSOP Circuit ring leader Ari Engel, Lowery divulged how the two of them set out to see who could reach the 20 ring milestone first years ago.
“Ari and I playfully challenged each other back when he had 9 and I had 10 to see who could get to 20 first,” Lowery said. “Since then, he’s won 11 and I’ve won 8. The challenge obviously lit a fire under us and I traveled more, and he crushed some more online where his roots are, as well as everywhere he’s shown up to play. He’s definitely one of the all-time greats at every level and at every variation of poker! He’s one of my poker heroes.”
WSOP Circuit wins are always better with friends in attendance. (Photo courtesy of 8131 Media)
Watching Lowery play a WSOP Circuit event, it only takes a few hours to see how beloved the Circuit Main Event champ is amongst the poker community.
While all-time records and major scores are certainly a motivator to stay on the Circuit grind, Lowery will tell you it’s the people that motivate him the most to journey to WSOPC events around the country.
“It’s the friends and poker family I’ve grown to love most! Players come and go for the most part, but there are still a select few that I travel with. The staff seems to always be the common denominator. They’ve been the deciding factor a lot of time on when and where I’ll go to play.”