Allen Kessler Says He's Finally Going to Win a WSOP Bracelet This Year
Allen Kessler is convinced he's going to shock the poker world this summer when he proves his doubters wrong by finally, after all these years, winning his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet.
The "Chainsaw" has been racking up cashes at the WSOP since 2001 — most of the minimum variety. But he hasn't been able to get over the hump to secure a gold bracelet.
That's about to come to an end, the King of Casino Comps told PokerNews. He's been running hot in World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) and RungGood Poker Series (RGPS) events lately, and he said the heater will carry over to the 2026 WSOP, which kicks off May 26 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Is the Chainsaw Ready to Breakthrough?
Kessler said "I'm going to break through for a bracelet" this summer. His confidence stems from a recent run that has included an RGPS ring, WSOPC ring, two runner-up finishes, and a total of six final table appearances in the past month.
Momentum only lasts until it doesn't, but Kessler's feeling good about his chances in a couple months to end a decades-long dry spell.
Kessler ranks second all-time for most WSOP bracelet event cashes without winning a title (122), per The Hendon Mob, trailing only Tom McCormick (131). The Chainsaw ranks 16th in WSOP cashes and has over $4.6 million in overall live tournament earnings. He's known for racking up min-cashes, not just at the WSOP.
But he has been heads-up for a bracelet four times, including in 2010 against Frank Kassela, who likely wouldn't have won WSOP Player of the Year had Kessler pulled it out. He's also lost heads-up matches for bracelets against Poker Hall of Famers Brian Rast and Todd Brunson.
It's been three years since Kessler last reached a WSOP final table, however. But he has been tearing it up in WSOPC events lately, and that doesn't include a recent $16,000 penny slot machine jackpot he hit.. We'll all now wait and see if the sun run carries over to the summer.
