After an impressive performance at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), Allen Kessler capped off his summer in Las Vegas by winning a poker tournament at a festival that he is all too familiar with.
Kessler’s latest tournament victory occurred at his very own Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) at Caesars Palace — a series named after him — as he took down a $400 Omaha-Stud event on Thursday for $2,725.
Read About Kessler’s WSOP
Big Summer for Chainsaw
Kessler, who has won CMSOP events before, just had one of the best summers of his career after making two WSOP final tables. Early in the series, he finished third in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $139,036 before later finishing fourth in$2,500 Limit Mixed Triple Draw Lowball for $66,103.
A few weeks later, Kessler is now making moves at his own series.
The $400 O/E event, a limit-betting split of Omaha Hi-Lo and Stud Hi-Lo, drew 17 runners for a prize pool of $5,780. Kessler defeated runner-up Umeme Hoye, while Joseph Santagata finished third for a minimum cash of $1,239.
And while $2,725 certainly isn’t Kessler’s biggest career score, he had a smile on his face just as big as when he hit a $1.2 million slot jackpot.
$400 CMSOP O/E Final Table Results
| Place | Name | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allen Kessler | United States | $2,725 |
| 2 | Umeme Hoye | United States | $1,816 |
| 3 | Joseph Santagata | United States | $1,239 |
The CMSOP is a favorite for local mixed game players, and it has even drawn mixed game players from overseas. Those who have played in the CMSOP over the years include former WSOP Player of the Years Josh Arieh and Jeff Madsen and former GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year Nick Pupillo.
Last year’s festival took place at the since-closed Planet Hollywood Poker Room and moved across the street to Caesars Palace in the newly renovated poker room.
Kessler has had other cashes this series, including a fifth-place finish in $400 Limit H.O.R.S.E. for $1,217 and a sixth-place finish in $400 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo for $845.
The CMSOP is running Aug. 24-Aug. 31 and will culminate on Aug. 30 with the two-day $800 T.O.R.S.E. Championship.
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.