Poker Turntables: Celebrity DJ Steve Aoki Heads to WPT Seminole Hard Rock This Weekend

Get out the turntables and strobe lights – or at least the poker tables and playing cards. Acclaimed music producer and DJ Steve Aoki makes his first appearance at a World Poker Tour tournament this weekend as a tour ambassador at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown in Hollywood, Florida.
Aoki signed with the WPT earlier in the year. The $3,500 buy-in event comes with a $3 million guarantee and runs from April 8-12. Aoki will make his appearance at the tables sometime this weekend and will also host some special events.
“I am super excited to get back to playing some cards with the World Poker Tour,” Aoki said in a news release. “Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown here I come!”
Jumping in the WPT action
This year marks the WPT’s 20th anniversary and the company has promised some extras and surprises along the way. Aoki’s signing has been one of the eye-catching moves the company has undertaken so far this year.
At the Seminole, the tour will host a meet and greet with Aoki on Sunday at 3 pm. Players and fans are welcome to attend and an autograph session is included.
Aoki then announces the traditional “Shuffle Up and Deal” for the $1,700 Deep Stack Purple Chip Bounty event. He also hosts a VIP gathering on property later that evening.
“Steve Aoki brings an unmatched passion and energy to any venue,” tour CEO Adam Pliska said. “As we continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Poker Tour, having Steve augment the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown is all we could ask for.”
It’s official! @steveaoki is coming to WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown!
“I am super excited to get back to playing some cards with the World Poker Tour. Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown here I come!” Aoki said.
🎧 – Read all about his plans here: https://t.co/NfVwcslJgv pic.twitter.com/10PyWgjYyF
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) April 6, 2022
Spinning up some poker excitement
The tour’s only other stop on the schedule as of now is the Choctaw in Oklahoma from May 13-16. The tour also made news this year by announcing the phasing out of the WPTDeepStacks Tour.
That circuit will now become WPT Prime and will receive added promotion from the company. New additions for Prime include the use of action clocks, awarding of winner trophies, and in-depth coverage from the tour’s digital content team. Prime players will also earn points for the tour’s player of the year race.
Aoki is expected to play more of a role in WPT events throughout the year as well. This will be the second opportunity for fans to meet him through the tour.
In February, the DJ held a special event for lucky fans at his Las Vegas-based Aoki Playhouse. A handful of selected winners played a sit and go poker tournament with Aoki, Phil Ivey, Maria Ho, and Vince Van Patten.
Aoki fan Chris Osse took down the top prize of a signed custom WPT and Steve Aoki collaborative poker chip set.
WPT officials note of this weekend’s events: “Aoki’s presence will amplify an already charged Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown tournament schedule.”