From grinder to TD: Allen Kessler tries wearing the suit

Jack Effel said I could add one event this year. Hands down, it had to be TORSE [Triple draw, Omaha hi-lo, Razz, Seven-card stud and stud Eight-or-better].

Last summer, I introduced this format at my Caesars mixed series, since then it's taken off, and now there are 14 TORSE events this summer in Las Vegas. There have already been a few TORSE WSOP circuit ring events. The first WSOP TORSE bracelet event will be in mid-July after the main event. I foresee two or even three TORSE events in WSOP 2026.

What’s the biggest story going to be this summer?

Someone nobody knows will crush it, win a bracelet, or make multiple final tables.

What prep will you do between now and the start of the series?

I keep busy playing. I play mixed events almost every day during the off-season.

What’s your favorite WSOP event?

I love mixed events. The $2,500 OE has always been my favorite, but lately, my 'can't miss' event is the $1,500 2-7 triple draw. The inaugural $3,000 TORSE may become my new favorite.

Will you play other events away from the WSOP properties?

There are a few days at the WSOP with only high rollers or events that I don't enjoy. If there's a $600-$1,100 one day mixed off property I may play one of those.

I enjoy going to Orleans, and they have several $600 'championship' mixed events on my radar.

Kessler with fellow grinder Ari Engel at Graton.

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'I had to go for an actual job interview'

You were recently a Tournament Director for a day for the Run Good Poker Tour at Graton. How did that come about?

Jordan Cutter and I always have a back-and-forth about seating issues and rulings. He thought it would be fun to make me a TD for a day and see how things operate from the other side.

It was a lot more involved than I'd ever imagined. First, I had to fill out a lengthy job application with references and past work history. Then I had to go for an actual job interview and background check. After that, I got an employee badge. They provided a suit for me, and I had to be there an hour before my event to set up the chip stacks, estimate the number of seats and tables, and brief the dealers on the event.

Once players arrived, I realized how complex the Bravo system is. It is an antiquated program, and the TD running it must constantly adjust the settings to make it run effectively and ensure that players are seated randomly. Otherwise, new players all just end up at the same table together.

Once we resolved the seating, a few rulings came up, but nothing complex. I also instructed a few dealers on the proper procedure for moving the counting chips. There is a set number of hands for each game.

When you count hands, it must be at the cut of the deck after shuffling, otherwise you don't know if the dealer is adding a counter for the hand that just completed or for the next hand about to start.

Overall, the players and dealers were very receptive to my position as TD and were respectful and courteous.

Who’s the one person you would swap 5% with across all the events during the summer?

That would have to be Alex Livingston. He plays every game well, has a great table presence, and doesn't run around dropping stacks in every event like some others do.

Alex Livingston gets the Chainsaw seal of approval.

If you had to make a few positive suggestions to the WSOP, what would they be?

I would ask them to reduce the big blind ante when fewer than six players are at a final table. Having to pay for 9 or 10 players’ antes at a three-handed final table affects the play too much and is so easy to fix.

I’d like a low, mid-range, and high buy-in for every mixed variant. They have this option for most of them, but the glaring omission is Omaha 8, which has been the most popular limit mixed event at the WSOP for decades.

Phil Hui won the last $3,000 Omaha 8 a while back. That event always had a huge field but mysteriously disappeared from the schedule.

You have your own series running to May 20: Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker. Can you share how this came about?

Two years ago, Caesars approached me to design a mixed series that could run before the WSOP. I chose the dates, the schedule, and set the structures.

These events were hugely popular despite Caesar's having such a small room. We extended the series to December to capitalize on the Wynn crowd, and then re-ran the series the following May.

This December, Caesars was temporarily closed. They suggested moving the events to Planet Hollywood. This was taking a big chance, as Planet Hollywood had not run events in over five years, and didn't even have a poker room yet.

The renamed Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker was born, and I was the entire marketing and promotion team. I worked hard to get the word out, and we actually broke a record in event one for the largest field to date.

The staff and dealers were new, and there were some issues at first, but after a few days, all the kinks were worked out, and the move across the street was a huge success.

I envision running this CMSOP series all over the country. Several venues have already expressed interest. It's an exciting time for mixed events.

Will Hellmuth play the Main Event? That’s been the big question since he announced he would not play a few months ago.

Yes undoubtedly. Phil is sponsored by BetRivers, and there's no chance that he or that company would miss the opportunity at a televised 'entrance' and have him wear the patch at a feature table.

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