How is Allen Kessler Performing at His Own Mixed Games Series?

If there’s one factor Allen Kessler loves greater than comps and coupons, it is combined video games. That is why he created the Chainsaw Combined Sequence of Poker (CMSOP), which is having fun with one other profitable version at Planet Hollywood.

The sequence is now two thirds of the best way by and has produced sturdy turnouts together with among the largest combined recreation prize swimming pools in Las Vegas this month. Throughout eight tournaments, every that includes Kessler-approved buildings, the pageant has drawn 618 complete entries and generated $319,180 in prize swimming pools, with $86,016 paid to occasion champions up to now.

So the pure query turns into: how a lot of that has The Chainsaw managed to place in his personal pocket?

Kessler Hits a Massive (Video) Poker Rating

Kessler opened his sequence with a $1,499 outcome within the first $600 Restrict Omaha 8 or Higher event, ending seventh for an $899 revenue. The occasion was gained by 2025 WSOP $10K Stud Hello Lo champion Qinghai Pan, who earned $7,380 after a 3 manner deal.

He was unable to sit down within the subsequent occasion, the $600 Restrict Omaha 8 or Higher and Stud 8 or Higher, resulting from sickness. That trophy went to Stephen Godfrey, who additionally banked $7,701.

Kessler fired three bullets throughout the $600 Restrict H.O.R.S.E. and $600 Restrict T.O.R.S.E. occasions however didn’t discover a money in both one.

He returned to the payout sheet within the $600 Pot Restrict Massive O for a $1,225 min money. His two entries meant it was solely a $55 return, however the occasion got here with a comfort prize. The Massive O event outdrew the WSOP H.O.R.S.E. ring occasion at Commerce on the identical day, as famous by attendee Craig Chait.

Kessler then bricked the $600 Combined Triple Draw, $600 T.O.E. and $600 Triple Stud occasions, however his luck lastly turned, not on the felt however within the gaming pit.

After lacking the money in Combined Triple Draw, Kessler tried to copy his final yr’s $1.2 million slot jackpot with a number of spins on a real-money slot, burning by $2,000 with out success. He switched to video poker as an alternative, and on solely his second hand was dealt a Royal Flush with multipliers. The outcome was a $32,000 jackpot hand pay.

Whereas it will not present up on his Hendon Mob web page, Kessler nonetheless walked away from the day as one of many largest winners on the CMSOP, even when the revenue didn’t come on the poker desk.

CMSOP Winners So Far

Godfrey Dominating CMSOP Leaderboard

With eight occasions full, the race for the CMSOP Participant of the Sequence title is beginning to take form. On the prime sits Stephen Godfrey. The Californian has already captured two trophies together with 4 closing desk appearances, which has pushed him to 24,719 factors and a snug lead because the sequence enters Championship week.

Shut behind is Ziad Zebib, who surged into second place together with his victory within the 104 entry Combined Triple Draw occasion. That $14,549 win vaulted him to 18,226 factors and positioned him because the closest challenger to Godfrey.

The most important climber in latest days has been Thomas Taylor. The Canadian professional has been a mannequin of consistency with 4 cashes that embody second, third, fourth and ninth place finishes. His newest podium end in Triple Stud moved him into third place with 17,045 factors and made him the one participant in addition to Godfrey to file 4 cashes up to now.

Rounding out the highest 5 are Edward Spivack, who sits on 14,177 factors after profitable the Restrict T.O.R.S.E. occasion, and newly topped T.O.E. winner Paul Holder, who jumped straight into the leaderboard’s higher tier together with his $12,864 rating.

Poker Corridor of Famer Eli Elezra rocked up on Sunday to win the Triple Stud for $8,614, however will want a number of extra cashes to threaten the highest 5.

CMSOP Leaderboard

Gamers who money in any CMSOP occasion will earn factors towards the CMSOP Leaderboard. Every greenback gained equals one CMSOP level. For instance, a $1,000 money earns 1,000 factors.

The highest 5 performers will safe prizes, with the general CMSOP champion pocketing $3,000 in money. The runner-up takes residence $2,000, whereas third by fifth place will declare WSOP Circuit entries and extra money rewards.

Championship Week Hits Planet Hollywood

CMSOP now turns towards its largest stage as Championship Week begins inside Planet Hollywood. The primary of three marquee tournaments, the $1,100 Restrict Omaha 8 or Higher Championship, will get underway on Monday, November 17 at 11 a.m.

Gamers begin with 40,000 chips and 40 minute ranges, and registration stays open by Degree 12, which is predicted to shut at roughly 9 p.m. The occasion performs to a winner on Tuesday, and PokerNews will present wall to wall stay reporting all through Day 2 so followers can observe each scoop, quarter and break up pot.

Championship Week continues instantly with the $1,100 Restrict H.O.R.S.E. Championship on Tuesday and the $1,100 Combined Video games T.O.R.S.E. Championship on Wednesday. Each occasions characteristic deep buildings and the biggest purchase ins of the sequence, creating prime alternatives for dramatic swings on the leaderboard.

The pageant wraps on Thursday with the ultimate occasion of the sequence, the $600 Restrict 2 7 Triple Draw, earlier than the CMSOP Participant of the Sequence title is formally awarded.

CMSOP Schedule

Calum has been part of the PokerNews group since September 2021 after working within the UK vitality sector. He performed his first hand of poker in 2017 and instantly fell in love with the sport.

Calum has written for numerous poker shops however discovered his residence at PokerNews, the place he has contributed to varied articles and stay updates, offering insights and reporting on main poker occasions, together with the World Sequence of Poker (WSOP).