The 2026 World Poker Tour season officially begins in Hollywood, Florida. The Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open festival runs January 6-20, culminating in the $3,500 WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship with a $3 million guaranteed prize pool.

Time to book those flights, degenerates.

The Main Event

Buy-in: $3,500 Guarantee: $3,000,000 Dates: January 17-20 (Day 1 flights) Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL

The Lucky Hearts Championship has become one of the WPT's signature stops. Last year's event exceeded its guarantee, and this year should be no different with Florida's booming poker scene.

Multiple Day 1 flights give you options if you bust early. And with a $3M guarantee, the overlay is real if the field comes in light.

Side Event Schedule Highlights

The two-week festival features events at every buy-in level:

$600 Opening Event: January 6-8 (running now) $1,100 NLH: Multiple dates $400 Seniors Event: January 11 $1,600 Mid-Major: January 12-14 $3,500 Championship: January 17-20 $25,000 High Roller: January 18-19

The High Roller always attracts big names looking for higher-stakes action. If you want to rail the pros, that's your spot.

Why Seminole Hard Rock

The Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood has emerged as the premier poker destination on the East Coast. The poker room features:

• 45 tournament tables
• Separate high-stakes area
• Hotel rooms on-site
• Multiple restaurants and bars
• The Guitar Hotel's iconic backdrop

Plus, no state income tax in Florida means you keep more of your winnings. That matters when you're playing for seven figures.

WPT Global Freerolls

Can't afford the $3,500 buy-in? WPT Global is running satellite tournaments and freerolls for seats to the Championship.

The platform also announced Cambodia freerolls for January 17 and 24, feeding into the upcoming WPT Prime Cambodia event. Satellites are the degen's best friend.

What to Expect

The Lucky Hearts field typically draws:

• Florida locals with home-field advantage
• Snowbirds escaping winter
• Traveling pros chasing WPT points
• Online qualifiers taking their shot

The combination creates a mix of recreational and professional players that makes for profitable spots if you pick your battles.

Historical Winners

The Lucky Hearts Poker Open has crowned some notable champions:

Previous winners took home purses exceeding $600,000 for first place. With a $3M guarantee, this year's winner should pocket similar numbers assuming the guarantee is met.

Travel Tips

Flights: Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is closer than Miami (MIA). Both have direct flights from most major cities.

Hotel: Book at the Hard Rock for convenience. Room rates are reasonable during the event, and being on-site matters for multi-day tournaments.

Bankroll: Bring enough for multiple bullets if you're taking shots at the Championship. Many winning players buy in 2-3 times before making a deep run.

The Schedule Conflict

Note that Wild Card Weekend overlaps with the festival's opening days. Plan accordingly if you want to sweat NFL action while playing poker. The Hard Rock's sportsbook has you covered.

The Bottom Line

The Lucky Hearts Poker Open is the perfect way to start your 2026 poker calendar. Florida in January beats wherever you are, the fields are beatable, and the guarantee ensures solid prize pools.

See you at the tables.

Registration for the $3,500 WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship opens on-site. Online satellites available at WPT Global.