Hall of Famer Eli Elezra Joins the Party and Wins CMSOP Triple Stud
The Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker (CMSOP) has been pulling strong numbers all week, but on Sunday it pulled something even bigger into Planet Hollywood: a Poker Hall of Famer.
Eli Elezra, one of the most decorated mixed game players of all time, made his CMSOP debut and promptly showed everyone why he is considered poker royalty. Elezra topped the 51 entry field in Event #8: $600 Triple Stud to collect $8,614 and his first tournament win in two years.
The five time WSOP bracelet winner, high stakes cash game legend and long time fan favourite has almost $6 million in tournament earnings, yet this was just his second recorded cash of 2025. His first came only a week ago when he finished third in the $5,300 8 Game event at the NAPT for $28,350. The payday at CMSOP may have been smaller, but it came with something he has not added to the shelf since 2023, a first place finish and a shiny new Chainsaw trophy.
Runner up Matthew Kelley took a big step forward from his 13th place finish in the $600 T.O.E. by banking $5,387 for second place.
Thomas Taylor continued his incredible consistency with a third place result for $3,575. The finish marked his fourth cash of the series and pushed him into third place on the overall leaderboard. Taylor now has a runner up, third, fourth and ninth place finish, making him one of the performers of the festival.
Nicolas Milgrom picked up his third cash of the series by finishing fifth. He sits in 23rd on the CMSOP leaderboard and will likely need a couple of deep championship runs to challenge for a leaderboard prize.
There were also several first time CMSOP cashers in the money, including Aaron Lashlee, Ali Heims, Michael Berger and John Zaleski.
Event #8 Payouts
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eli Elezra | $8,614 |
| 2 | Matthew Kelley | $5,387 |
| 3 | Thomas Taylor | $3,575 |
| 4 | Aaron Lashlee | $2,529 |
| 5 | Nicolas Milgrom | $1,915 |
| 6 | Ali Heims | $1,558 |
| 7 | Michael Berger | $1,371 |
| 8 | John Zaleski | $1,316 |
Updated CMSOP Leaderboard After Eight Events
Triple Stud did not change the very top of the standings. Stephen Godfrey and Ziad Zebib both remain in first and second place.
The key mover was Taylor, whose podium finish vaulted him into third place. Edward Spivack and Paul Holder round out the top five.
| Place | Player | Points | Wins | FTs | Cashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Godfrey | 24,719 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Ziad Zebib | 18,226 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Thomas Taylor | 17,045 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Edward Spivack | 14,177 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Paul Holder | 12,864 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Adam Walter | 12,281 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | Carol Anderson | 12,056 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 8 | Leonard August | 11,000 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | Qinghai Pan | 9,830 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 10 | Adam Kipnis | 9,379 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
CMSOP Player of the Series Leaderboard Prizes
Players who cash in any CMSOP event will earn points toward the CMSOP 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 CMSOP 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.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,000 Cash |
| 2 | $2,000 Cash |
| 3 | 2x $600 WSOP Circuit entries |
| 4 | $600 WSOP Circuit entry and $100 Cash |
| 5 | $600 WSOP Circuit entry |
What’s Next: $1,100 Omaha 8 or Better Championship
CMSOP moves into its final stretch on Monday, November 17, with the first of three Championship events.
The $1,100 Limit Omaha 8 or Better Championship gets underway at 11 a.m. local time, giving players a full day of split-pot action.
Everyone starts with 40,000 chips and 40 minute levels, and late registration stays open for the first 12 levels, closing at approximately 9 p.m.
The event plays to a winner on Tuesday, and PokerNews will be on site for Day 2 to bring you full live reporting coverage.