LAS VEGAS — Allen Kessler put together one of the best stretches of his career this March, winning back-to-back T.O.R.S.E. events at two separate tour stops and cementing his reputation as one of the format’s most consistent performers.
The mixed-game veteran first took down a $400 T.O.R.S.E. at the Borgata during the RunGood Poker Series, then won a $600 T.O.R.S.E. at the WSOP Circuit stop in Las Vegas — good for $15,933 and his fifth career Circuit ring.
RGPS Borgata: A Chop, But the Ring Was His
Kessler’s month opened in Atlantic City, where he worked through a 52-entry field at the Borgata. The tournament ended in a three-way deal at the final table, with Kessler, Patrick McCarthy, and Vincent Basilicata each cashing for $4,090. The prize money was split evenly, but the RGPS Passport Ring went to Kessler.
Lisa Clay finished fourth for $1,690. George Jannes ($1,250), Stanley Davis ($1,050), and Ethan Bennett ($900) rounded out the payouts.
WSOP Circuit Las Vegas: Fifth Ring on a Bigger Stage
The Las Vegas result carried more weight. Kessler navigated a 119-entry field — far deeper than the Borgata event — to close out the $600 buy-in T.O.R.S.E. for $15,933.
It was his fifth WSOP Circuit ring overall, with previous titles dating back to 2007 across multiple formats, including no-limit hold’em and mixed games. Both of his March wins came specifically in T.O.R.S.E., a rotation that swaps traditional hold’em for triple draw lowball — a format Kessler has publicly championed and, as this month showed, clearly knows how to beat.
Unbelievable I just won my second TORSE ring this week.
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler) March 23, 2026
And my fifth @WSOP circuit ring! pic.twitter.com/IaEUN2LxUw
