The 2026 Lucky Hearts Poker Open (LHPO) wrapped up in style at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, delivering two weeks of nonstop action from January 6–21. Across 57 events, the South Florida staple drew a combined 13,555 entries and awarded more than $12.1 million in prize money, once again cementing its status as one of the premier poker festivals in the U.S.
While much of the spotlight landed on Giuseppe Iadisernia’s $611,700 victory in the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship, the festival featured no shortage of compelling storylines beyond the Main Event.
Familiar Faces Bookend the Festival
Michael Tarafa opened and closed the series in winning fashion. He kicked things off by outlasting 736 entries in Event #1: $300 Slater Scoops Quad Stack NLH to earn $23,260. Two weeks later, he capped the festival by taking down Event #58: $300 Quad Stack Black Chip Bounty NLH, topping a 309-player field for $9,425.
Several players managed multiple victories during the series. Ryan Hoenig claimed Event #26: $600 Six-Max PLO8 for $15,200 and followed it up five days later by winning Event #53: $1,100 Deep Stack 5-Card PLO for $22,055. Joseph Olivieri also enjoyed a standout run, winning Event #23: $600 S.O.R.B.E.T. and Event #37: $400 H.O.R.S.E. for a combined $16,940.
Record-Breaking Runs from Singh and Bronshtein
History was made midway through the series as Yuval Bronshtein captured Event #17: $400 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO, defeating 122 entrants to earn $9,710 and his record-breaking 16th Seminole Hard Rock Poker (SHRP) Major Series title.
That record, however, stood alone for less than a week. Raminder Singh answered back by winning Event #42: $400 Black Chip Bounty NLH/PLO for $7,015, topping a 101-entry field to secure his own 16th SHRP title and reestablish a tie at the top of the all-time leaderboard.
Boivin Takes Down the High Roller
One of the marquee moments of the festival came on January 15, when Event #34: $25,500 High Roller NLH drew 28 entries and generated a $691,600 prize pool. The final four included Manuel Fritz and Anatoly Nikitin, but it was Thomas Boivin who emerged victorious after defeating Giuseppe Iadisernia heads-up.
Boivin earned $310,255 for the win, marking his third SHRP title and first at the Lucky Hearts Poker Open. His previous SHR victories include the 2023 Showdown $25K High Roller and the 2025 Showdown $10K Six-Max.
Justin Saliba’s Six-Figure Finish
Another headline performance came in Event #46: $10,000 Deep Stack NLH, which ran from January 18–19. The tournament attracted 72 players and crushed its $500,000 guarantee, awarding $684,000 in total prize money.
Justin Saliba navigated a tough final table that included Matt Lambrecht and Stoyan Madanzhiev before defeating Zach Bruch heads-up to secure the title and a $236,925 payday, one of the largest non-WPT scores of the series.
A Festival to Remember — and What’s Next
From record-setting wins to high-stakes showdowns, the 2026 Lucky Hearts Poker Open once again delivered on every level. With massive fields, deep structures, and a diverse mix of games, the festival showcased both established stars and rising talent.
Looking ahead, the Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT) has its sights set on November, when all 2026 MSPT Main Event winners will earn a seat into the $3,500 buy-in, $2 million guaranteed MSPT Rock ’N’ Roll Poker Open at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. The event will run from November 18 through December 2 as part of the larger RRPO festival.
The announcement marks the first official partnership between MSPT and Seminole Hard Rock, two powerhouse brands in tournament poker. Previously aligned with the World Poker Tour, the RRPO now joins the MSPT calendar, adding another layer of prestige to an already historic South Florida series.
With the LHPO setting the tone early in the year, 2026 is already shaping up to be a landmark season on the U.S. poker circuit.
