Matthew Higgins Reaches Milestone: 10th WSOPC Ring and Victory in Tunica

Matthew Higgins is having a year that could be etched into poker history books. Just two months after his massive success at the WSOP Mystery Millions tournament in Las Vegas, where he claimed his first gold bracelet and a cool $1,000,000 prize, he struck again at the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) at Horseshoe Tunica. The seasoned pro secured the Main Event title and with it, his tenth WSOPC gold ring, a milestone previously reserved for elite players like Maurice Hawkins and Ari Engel.

The tournament, listed as Event #13: $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, drew a total of 367 entries to the casino in Robinsonville, Mississippi. Due to the high participation, the guaranteed prize pool of $400,000 was significantly exceeded, ultimately reaching a total of $556,005. Higgins demonstrated a concentrated performance throughout the three-day event, proving once again that he maintains the necessary composure during the critical phases of a tournament.

Numbers and facts

The path to the final table was paved with high-caliber opponents. Among the remaining players was David Moses, who already holds a WSOP bracelet and eventually finished the tournament in fifth place for $26,174. Matthew Higgins entered the final duel against Daniel Garner with a chip advantage of approximately 2 to 1. Garner, a relatively new face on the circuit, had previously earned respect through aggressive and precise play but had to succumb to Higgins' experience.

In the deciding hand, Higgins opened from the button, prompting Garner to move his remaining 1.7 million chips into the middle with Queen of Spades and Jack of Diamonds. Higgins called immediately with King of Clubs and Ten of Hearts. The flop brought Queen of Clubs, Ten of Clubs, and Five of Clubs, giving Garner top pair but providing Higgins with a flush draw and a pair. The Six of Clubs on the turn completed the flush for Higgins, leaving Garner with no chance to win. Daniel Garner received $74,824 for his second-place finish.

"You just have to keep grinding. I’m trying to build something for my kids to leave behind when I'm gone." - Matthew Higgins, WSOPC Champion

With this victory, Higgins has now surpassed the $4 million mark in lifetime tournament earnings. It was also his third victory in a WSOPC Main Event and his second Main Event triumph specifically at the Horseshoe Tunica location.

Background

Matthew Higgins' success in 2026 is no accident but the result of years of hard work at the tables. In addition to the prestigious gold ring and the $110,851 prize money, Higgins secured an exclusive $5,000 package for WSOP Paradise 2026 through this victory. This package includes a seat in the WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty in the Bahamas as well as accommodations. Such additional prizes serve the World Series of Poker by internationally networking regional Circuit events and giving players the opportunity to jump onto the world stage.

Why it matters for German players

For German poker fans looking to emulate Matthew Higgins, the legal situation in their own country remains complex. Tournaments of this scale and nature are strictly regulated in Germany by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While Higgins plays for hundreds of thousands with a single buy-in of $1,700 in the USA, strict limits apply to German online providers. The monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros via the LUGAS system and the stake limit of 1 Euro per spin for slots are fixed pillars of player protection, which are often perceived as hindering in the field of tournament poker.

Anyone wishing to play poker online legally must ensure that the provider is on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Only these providers guarantee compliance with German security standards. International platforms without a German license often offer higher guaranteed sums but involve significant legal risks regarding payouts or disputes.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casinos with a GGL license focus increasingly on a secure environment, which contrasts with the lavish events in the USA. While Matthew Higgins can act in Tunica without immediate deposit limits, German portals must monitor every transaction. The GGL ensures that poker is perceived as a game with strategic elements rather than pure gambling, as long as addiction prevention remains the priority. However, Higgins' success shows that poker continues to have enormous appeal, which also helps licensed German providers develop marketing strategies around the sporting character of the game.