2025 Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker

Leonard August topped a talented field in Event #3: $600 Limit H.O.R.S.E. at the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) in Planet Hollywood, capturing the title and $11,000 first-place prize. A heads-up deal was done between August and Kenneth Mapoy, that saw the latter pocket $8,635.

A proficient H.O.R.S.E. player, August is no stranger to success in the format. His best career result came at the 2023 WSOP, where he finished second in the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. for $128,835. The CMSOP victory marks his seventh recorded tournament win and second H.O.R.S.E. title overall.

The event drew 82 entries and generated a $42,230 prize pool, with the top 13 players making the money. August’s victory also vaulted him into second place on the CMSOP leaderboard, just behind Stephen Godfrey, who continues to lead after another deep run.

Godfrey extended his remarkable start to the series by making it three final tables in three events, finishing seventh for $1,643. Qinghai “The Terminator” Pan — the Event #1 winner — also notched his second cash of the series, earning the $1,225 min-cash for 11th place.

Event #3 Payouts

*indicates heads-up deal

CMSOP Leaderboard

Players who cash in any CMSOP event earn points toward the CMSOP Player of the Series Leaderboard. Each dollar won equals one CMSOP point — for example, a $1,000 cash earns 1,000 points.

The top five performers will secure prizes, with the overall champion pocketing $3,000 in cash. The runner-up takes home $2,000, while third through fifth place will claim WSOP Circuit entries and additional cash rewards.

Next Up: $600 Limit T.O.R.S.E.

Action continues Wednesday, November 12, with the $600 Limit T.O.R.S.E. at 11 a.m. Players begin with a 40,000-chip stack and 30-minute levels, with late registration open through Level 12, approximately 6 p.m.

CMSOP runs through November 20, featuring nine more events celebrating poker’s most beloved mixed formats. Follow all CMSOP updates, results, and player standings right here on PokerNews.

CMSOP at Planet Hollywood Schedule

There’s been a shake-up at the top of the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) leaderboard after Event #2: $600 Limit Omaha 8 or Better / Stud 8 or Better played out inside Planet Hollywood.

Stephen Godfrey and Daniel Blum chopped heads-up to secure matching $7,701 payouts, with Godfrey officially taking the trophy. The mixed-format event attracted 61 entries to create a $31,415 prize pool and saw Godfrey leapfrog Qinghai “The Terminator” Pan to the top of the CMSOP leaderboard.

Godfrey finished the fourth in the event that Pan won, and has taken a more than a 3,000 point lead at the top, thanks to his $10,818 in cashes across the first two tournaments.

The top ten players made the money, and the final table was packed with talent. WSOP bracelet winners Joon Kim, Hami Awad, and Robert Slezak all finished inside the paid places, while Duke Viveros and Alfredo Aguino also produced strong showings.

Event #2 Payouts

*Indicates heads-up deal

Festival founder Allen Kessler was unable to make it two cashes from two events due to illness, but hopefully “The Chainsaw” is feeling much better today and will hop into the $600 Limit H.O.R.S.E., which begins at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12.

For those unfamiliar with H.O.R.S.E., it’s a five-game rotation of Limit Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi-Lo. Entries begin with a generous 40,000 starting stack, and levels last 30 minutes. Late registration is open for 12 levels, closing at approximately 6 p.m.

CMSOP Leaderboard

Players who cash in any CMSOP event earn points toward the CMSOP Player of the Series Leaderboard. Each dollar won equals one CMSOP point — for example, a $1,000 cash earns 1,000 points.

The top five performers will secure prizes, with the overall champion pocketing $3,000 in cash. The runner-up takes home $2,000, while third through fifth place will claim WSOP Circuit entries and additional cash rewards.

CMSOP runs through November 20, featuring 10 more events celebrating poker’s most beloved mixed formats. Follow all the CMSOP updates, results, and player standings right here on PokerNews.

CMSOP at Planet Hollywood Schedule

Qinghai "The Terminator" Pan likes to play live mixed tournaments. He told PokerNews as much after winning his third WSOP bracelet in Las Vegas this summer. So naturally, the Californian rocked up to the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) at Planet Hollywood in pursuit of more accolades.

And it didn’t take long for Pan to return to the winner’s circle, taking down the opening event of the series — the $600 Limit Omaha 8 or Better — after a three-way deal with Rafael Concepcion and Jacob Perry. The event drew 68 entries to create a $35,020 prize pool, with Pan claiming the lion’s share and $7,380 in prize money.

Among those making deep runs was Thomas Taylor, who enjoyed a standout 2025 WSOP with 17 cashes and two runner-up finishes, as he bowed out in ninth. Jeanne David, a Women in Poker Hall of Famer, finished sixth, while series creator Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler also reached the final table, but his run ended in seventh place when he was eliminated by Perry.

As a bonus for the knockout, Perry received a copy of Mastering Mixed Games by Dylan Linde, along with some merchandise, courtesy of Kessler.

Event #1 Payouts

With the victory, Pan sits atop of the CMSOP leaderboard. Players who cash in any CMSOP event will earn points toward the CMSOP Player of the Series (CPOS) Leaderboard. Each dollar won equals one CMSOP point. For example, a $1,000 cash earns 1,000 points.

The top five performers will secure prizes, with the overall CPOS champion pocketing $3,000 in cash. The runner-up takes home $2,000, while third through fifth place will claim WSOP Circuit entries and additional cash rewards.