Recap Of Allen Kes4rabet online slotssler's Chainsaw Series Of Poker

Table Of Contents

• A Name to Remember — Qiang Xu
• Modern Poker Variant in a Modern Poker Room
• Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker Full Results

Mixed game poker was on display at Planet Hollywood May 12-20 in a big way with the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP).

The new tour in Las Vegas, which previously held three stops at Caesars Palace under a different name, is unique in that you won't find any no-limit hold'em tournaments on the schedule. Instead, those who love a variety of games can compete among likeminded players.

Allen Kessler, a mixed games enthusiast, created the concept, and it appears the sky is the limit for the man dubbed the "Chainsaw." The longtime tournament grinder told PokerNewshe's planning another CMSOP in December, and has received interest from other Las Vegas casinos to host his tour.

But before Kessler looks ahead to future CMSOP events, he's thrilled with the turnout at the new Planet Hollywood poker room the past week. And the mixed game community should see it as a sign that there's significant interest in non-hold'em games.

A Name to Remember — Qiang Xu

Qiang Xu has an impressive no-limit hold'em tournament resume, which includes a 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. Most of his $1.5 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob, have come in NLH. But the Chinese poker pro dominated at the CMSOP, winning the first two evnets.

Xu first took down Event #1: $600 Omaha 8 or Better for $14,106, beating out 98 entrants. He defeated Gary Bolden, who also had a strong series, heads-up for the title. The first tournament champion then came back on May 13 to capture Event #2: $600 Omaha 8/Stud 8 for $12,300, this time outlasting a field of 80 runners. Shane Daniels took second place for $7,840.

Five winners during the series are WSOP bracelet winners — Xu, Bolden, Tyler Brown, Jim Collopy, and Nick Pupillo.

Modern Poker Variant in a Modern Poker Room

Planet Hollywood reopened its poker room a couple weeks ago in a new location for the first time since COVID. Poker Room Manager Anthony Mink agreed to allow Kessler to bring his mixed games concept to his card room.

"Allen Kessler has had a huge influence (in the structures for the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker)," Mink said on Reopening Day. "Basically, it's his structure. We made a few tweaks and I basically showed him what I like, he gave me what he liked. Not that we went back and forth, I'm not going to say we sparred at all, but Allen's a great guy, and when he talks, 99% of the time he's right."

Mink might be off by a few percentage points, especially if he's referring to Kessler's sports predictions or food recommendations. But the Chainsaw seems to be spot on with his prediction that the new T.O.R.S.E. poker variant has an audience. The game is the same as H.O.R.S.E. but with triple draw replacing hold'em.

The CMSOP at Planet Hollywood featured two T.O.R.S.E. tournaments, the first a $600 buy-in with 89 players, won by Jiyang Gan for $13,085. The second, the $1,100 T.O.R.S.E. Championship, had 42 entrants and was conquered by Dominick Sarle for $14,335.

Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker Full Results

Learn more about the new poker room at Planet Hollywood here!