Allen Kessler Secures Victory in $400 Omaha-Stud at His Namesake Chainsaw Mixed Series
TL;DR — Allen Kessler won the $400 Omaha-Stud event at his own Chainsaw Mixed Series at Caesars Palace for $2,725. The win follows two WSOP final tables. The series draws mixed game players and runs Aug. 24-Aug. 31.
SCCG Take — The relocation to Caesars Palace and steady fields show operators can capture dedicated mixed-game action by supporting player-driven series that prioritize format integrity over high traffic.
Allen Kessler won the $400 Omaha-Stud event at the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker held at Caesars Palace, earning $2,725. The tournament drew 17 runners and produced a $5,780 prize pool. Kessler defeated runner-up Umeme Hoye, while Joseph Santagata finished third for a minimum cash of $1,239.
The result caps a notable stretch for Kessler, who earlier posted two deep runs at the World Series of Poker. He finished third in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $139,036 and fourth in the $2,500 Limit Mixed Triple Draw Lowball for $66,103. According to PokerNews, these scores represent one of the strongest summers of his career.
Additional Cashes and Series Context
Kessler recorded two other scores during the current festival. He placed fifth in a $400 Limit H.O.R.S.E. event for $1,217 and sixth in a $400 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo for $845. The Chainsaw Mixed Series is a preferred stop for local mixed-game specialists and has drawn overseas players including Josh Arieh, Jeff Madsen, and Nick Pupillo.
The series relocated to the renovated Caesars Palace poker room after last year’s stop at the now-closed Planet Hollywood. It runs August 24 through August 31 and concludes with the two-day $800 T.O.R.S.E. Championship on August 30. The format mix and modest buy-ins continue to draw consistent fields from the dedicated player pool that sustains these games in Las Vegas.
Where the Risk Lies for Similar Player-Run Events
Small-field mixed events can prove vulnerable to schedule overlap with larger festivals, and prize pools remain modest compared with hold’em offerings. Yet the repeat attendance from recognized names and the venue shift to Caesars Palace indicate operators can maintain viable action by aligning with established player communities rather than chasing mass-market volume alone. Sustained participation will depend on consistent scheduling and room conditions that match the expectations of this niche.
Reporting: PokerNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
The Chainsaw Series' Caesars move and repeat fields show operators can build reliable mixed-game revenue by backing player communities, not just traffic.
We see operators chase hold'em volume and miss the steady revenue mixed games deliver when structured right. Kessler's series — modest fields, strong repeat participation, credible venue — is a template for capturing dedicated player pools that sustain action year-round, especially in mature markets where differentiation matters.
- Kessler won $400 Omaha-Stud for $2,725; series relocated to Caesars Palace after Planet Hollywood closure
- 17-runner field typical for festival drawing mixed-game regulars including Arieh, Madsen, Pupillo
- August 24-31 schedule concludes with $800 T.O.R.S.E. Championship; consistent player base shows format viability
SCCG angle: SCCG connects operators to the tournament directors, software providers, and community organizers who design and execute player-backed series like this. We help rooms assess mixed-game viability, structure schedules that avoid cannibalizing existing traffic, and identify the right ambassador partnerships to build credibility with niche audiences that deliver margin.
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