The World Poker Tour is back in South Florida this week — and the biggest tournament of the year is happening in your backyard.
Forget flying to Vegas. The biggest poker tournament in Florida is happening in Hollywood this week — and if you've never played a major series before, this is your shot. The 2026 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown is running right now at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and the World Poker Tour's flagship event — the $3,500 WPT Poker Showdown Championship — starts Friday, April 24. A $3 million guarantee. 21 days of action. 73 tournaments across the schedule. You don't have to travel to play in this one.
The $3,500 WPT Poker Showdown Championship starts Friday, April 24 with a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. The final six players return for a televised final table on Wednesday, April 29. Last year, Art Peacock topped a 1,755-entry field to win $776,000 — and this year's bigger guarantee suggests organizers expect an even larger crowd.
To hit the $3 million guarantee this year, the tournament needs roughly 1,000 entries (buy-ins minus rake). Given that last year's field cleared 1,755 and the WPT's South Florida stops have been growing year over year, that target is very reachable. If it's hit, expect a first-place prize approaching or exceeding last year's $776,000.
The WPT Championship is the headline, but there are multiple million-dollar and half-million-dollar guarantees across the 21-day series. Even if the $3,500 buy-in isn't for you, there are huge tournaments at every price point.
Multi-flight opener · Recreational-friendly buy-in
Classic mid-stakes main · Multiple flights
Deep structure · Multiple Day 1 flights
Last warm-up before the Main Event
THE main event · WPT title · Mike Sexton Champions Cup
Final 6 players return · Held in the Grand Ballroom
The WPT Main Event looks expensive, but there are multiple cheaper paths to a seat. You don't need to bring $3,500 to the cage on Friday.
Throughout the Poker Showdown, Seminole Hard Rock runs satellite tournaments that award seats into the $3,500 Championship. Winners get a seat; runners-up typically get lammers (tournament credit) they can use in the series. Check the daily tournament desk or Seminole Hard Rock's poker app for satellite schedules.
Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Cocktail party starts at 5:30 p.m. First place wins $5,000 cash + a $3,500 Championship seat + a $1,100 WPT Prime seat. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. It's the best charity-to-value ratio on the schedule.
The WPT Prime circuit runs alongside the main tour with smaller buy-ins and still carries the WPT brand. Prime seats are often awarded in low-cost satellites. Great for a first-time tournament player who wants a WPT experience at a reasonable price.
If your bankroll supports it, just pay direct. Unlimited re-entries are permitted through Level 9 of each flight (around 9:15 p.m.). You start with 50,000 in chips, blinds 100-200 with a 200 BB ante. There are multiple Day 1 starting flights.
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is not a normal poker venue. It's a $1.5 billion integrated resort featuring the world's first-ever Guitar Hotel — the 450-foot guitar-shaped tower that's become a South Florida landmark. If you're planning to play, you're also planning to experience one of the most over-the-top casino resorts in the country.
Three hotel towers, 1,271 luxury rooms, 42,000 sq ft Rock Spa. Poker hotel rates available during Showdown — call the desk.
One of the largest dedicated poker rooms in North America. Main Event is staged in the Grand Ballroom — not the everyday poker room.
2,500+ slots · 200+ table games · live craps, roulette, and retail sports betting added in 2023.
Everything from quick bites between levels to fine dining. Poker rooms are notoriously bad for food — this one isn't.
The WPT Poker Showdown Championship is a multi-flight re-entry event. Here's what that means in practice:
Plan for 12+ hour days. Starting levels are 60-90 minutes. You're playing for a deep run, not a quick result. Bring food, water, and pace yourself.
Study the payout structure before you play. Big multi-flight tournaments pay roughly top 15%. Understanding ICM matters when you're near the bubble.
If you haven't played a $3K+ tournament before, satellite in. It's cheaper, gives you tournament-practice hands, and removes the psychological pressure of putting $3,500 on one bullet.
Eat before the Day 2 bubble. Long levels, short dinner breaks. Your decision-making quality drops when you're hungry.
The WPT Poker Showdown is one of four major Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood series each year. They're the anchor of the South Florida poker calendar:
Attending one of these four series is the easiest way for a local player to experience WPT/MSPT-level tournament play without traveling. If you've been on the fence about trying a major, this is the one. It's in your driveway.
Even the $400 opener will burn through more than just the entry fee. Budget for multiple bullets, food, parking/gas, and potentially a hotel night if you go deep and Day 2 starts at noon. A realistic "I'm playing the $400 opener" budget is closer to $800-$1,200. A realistic "I'm playing the $3,500 Main" budget with possible re-entries is $7,000-$12,000. Don't play scared money.
If you catch the bug, the Seminole Hard Rock poker calendar is packed through the rest of 2026:
The WPT is in your backyard. The $3 million guaranteed Main Event at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood starts Friday, April 24. Satellites and side events run all week — so even if the $3,500 buy-in isn't in budget, you can find a path to play.