Allen Kessler’s Chainsaw Mixed Game Series Rolls Into Atlantic City This November

The grassroots mixed-game maestro brings his eclectic festival of H.O.R.S.E., T.O.R.S.E. and Triple Draw action to the Borgata as part of the Fall Poker Open, offering players a refreshing alternative to hold’em‑heavy fare.

There’s a new flavor in the Atlantic City poker air: Allen Kessler, a fixture on the mixed‑game circuit, is shipping his Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) to the Borgata from November 4 to 14, 2026, marking its East Coast debut. The festival, dovetailing with the Borgata Fall Poker Open, promises a refreshing blend of Omaha, Stud, Triple Draw and mixed‑games action—all anchored by two championship events with handsome guarantees.

A Festival for the True Mixed‑Game Enthusiast

In the words of PokerNews, this first CMSOP stop in Atlantic City will span November 4–14, spotlighting two marquee championship tournaments: a $1,100 H.O.R.S.E. Championship backed by a $25,000 guarantee, and a $1,100 T.O.R.S.E. Championship carrying a $35,000 guarantee. The schedule is sprinkled with $600 buy‑in events in variants like Omaha H/L, Stud H/L (8‑Or‑Better), T.O.E., Pot‑Limit Big O, O.E., and Chainsaw’s own 8‑Game Mix. The festival wraps up with a $600 Triple‑Triple Draw finale—an intricate mix of Ace‑5, Deuce‑7 and Badugi draws.

Part of a Bigger Picture

CMSOP arrives as a compelling component of the broader Borgata Fall Poker Open, a marquee two‑week festival running November 4–17 with more than a million dollars in guarantees. It’s a season that already includes NLH, PLO, bounty formats and a sweeping schedule of buy‑ins ranging up to $2,700. Mixed‑game purists now have a dedicated reason to jump into the action. PokerNews will be on-site with live updates and reporting.

Building on Mixed‑Game Momentum

Kessler’s CMSOP has a notable pedigree. Earlier this year in Las Vegas, he not only organized but also seized victory in one of his own mixed‑game events, demonstrating both competitor and curator chops. Past festivals have attracted celebrated players including former WSOP Players of the Year Josh Arieh and Jeff Madsen, as well as former GPI Mid‑Major Player of the Year Nick Pupillo—underlining the series’ credibility among seasoned mixed‑game talent.

This Atlantic City stop may inject a fresh dynamic into the local poker scene, where hold’em still dominates. By showcasing fixed‑limit, high‑variance variants, CMSOP not only diversifies offerings for weekend warriors, but also challenges smash‑and‑grab tournament players to widen their game.

Why Players Should Care

• For fans tired of tournament homogeneity, CMSOP offers rare formats at accessible buy‑ins—just $600 for most events, or $1,100 for high‑stakes parties.
• The festival doubles as both challenge and value—two championship events underpin it with solid guarantees, and dozens of side events fill the slate.
• It dovetails with the Borgata Fall Poker Open’s buzz and infrastructure, inviting a wider audience while preserving mixed‑game flavor.

In a world where hold’em tournaments can feel predictable, Kessler’s Chainsaw Mixed Game Series arrives as a wake‑up call—appealing to players who want to demonstrate true versatility. Given the star power it already attracts, and its fitting timing within Borgata’s fall lineup, this 11‑day festival could wind up one of the most talked‑about poker attractions of the season.

For those curious to study the full schedule of events—and to plan their mixed‑game assault in Atlantic City—PokerNews has the complete rundown available, and East Coast Poker Report confirms the wider Borgata Fall Poker Open framework supporting the CMSOP stop.

This article was written by AI with live web research, drawing on the sources linked above. Spotted an error? Tell us.