The World Poker Tour (WPT) is coming to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The Hollywood property will host the Lucky Hearts Poker Open (LHPO) from Jan. 14 to Jan. 22, culminating with the Main Event from Jan. 22 to Jan. 26. The main event has a $1 million guarantee.
The tournament is part of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open series, which launched in 2013.
Plenty of action at Lucky Hearts Poker Open
The 2020 LHPO kicks off at Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. with a six-flight, no-limit hold-em tournament limited to 400 players per flight. Guaranteed money is $300,000.
Over the next eight days, there are a variety of competitions taking place:
- Jan. 14: Omaha 8 or Better
- Jan. 15: H.O.R.S.E.
- Jan. 17: $75,000 guaranteed no-limit hold’em
- Jan. 18: Seniors 50+ no-limit hold’em
- Jan. 19: $50,000 guaranteed six-max no-limit hold’em
- Jan. 21: No-limit hold’em re-entry for $200,000 guaranteed
The $1 million guaranteed WPT Main Event begins Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. The first round is split into two days before the event concludes Jan. 26.
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is offering discounted room rates for tournament contestants. Prices range from $293.30 later in the tournament to $479.20 on opening weekend.
Hard Rock implementing coronavirus safety measures
The casino’s tournament will abide by a set of safety guidelines set forth, known as the Seminole Tribe’s Safe + Sound initiative, according to a press release.
“Guests can enjoy peace of mind while playing at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood with its company-wide Safe + Sound initiative, dedicated to protect guests and team members. In addition to thermal temperature scanning upon entry and mandatory masks/face coverings policy, all tables are outfitted with protective Plexiglas between dealer and players, and in between players.”
Additional measures include:
- Fewer tables
- All tables eight-handed
- Chips and cards cleaned frequently
- Players’ spots at tables cleaned once he or she leaves the table
- Hand sanitizer and face masks available to all guests
Reviewing past winners of the Lucky Hearts Poker Open
Brian Altman became the LHPO’s first two-time winner earlier this year when he beat five other players for the top prize of $482,636.
“This is incredibly special,” Altman said after the event. “It’s amazing to be the first person to win the same WPT event twice, and kind of cement myself in history with this event.”
The win was the second-biggest of his career. In 2015, Altman finished first in the 2015 LHOP, where he took home $723,008.
In 2019, New Yorker Jason Young won the event, taking home $263,205 for his first-place finish. It was Young’s first time at the LHOP Main Event. The win produced his biggest paycheck since he finished first in the 2008 World Series of Poker $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Shootout.
