Alavez Makes It Quick
After a wild final table that saw chip leads change back and forth and all-in bets nearly every hand, Edgar Alavez needed just two hands to take the final table from four-handed to victory. Alavez busted two players on the first hand to get heads up with local grinder Lori Ann Persinger. They got it all-in on the next hand and Persinger revealed Ace-King, a big favorite over Alavez’s King-Queen, but the board gave Alavez a queen on the flop and no help for Persinger on the turn and river.
First Place ($10,000 Tournament Entry) – Edgar Alavez
Edgar Alavez has been a regular supporter of the CSOP for years now, and first started playing poker three years ago because of his friendship with Matt Stout and support for the charities that the CSOP helps fund. Alavez says his favorite poker game is Pot-Limit Omaha and his favorite player is Daniel Negreanu. His wife Terry is also a CSOP supporter and you can find them both at most of our events. For his first place finish Alavez won a $10,000 tournament entry, which he plans to use to play the WPT Main Event at The Wynn in December. Good luck Edgar!
Second Place (2026 Viva St. Jude Package) – Lori Ann Persinger
Lori Ann Persinger is a regular fixture in the tournament world in Las Vegas, and at CSOP events. And she is an established winner, with nearly $350,000 in tournament winnings. Persinger is also a Navy veteran, frequent podcast guest, and fan of the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team.
Persinger has been playing the game a long time, and her favorite players over the years are Nick Schulman and Anthony Zinno (who also played this CSOP event). Her husband Rick also plays on occasion and is her biggest supporter. For her runner-up finish, Persinger receives a 2026 Viva St. Jude package. The Viva St. Jude experience includes not only the CSOP event, but also a golfing experience, a fashion soiree, and an incredible tasting experience from local chefs.
Third Place (Celebrity Cash Game and $1,000 Tahoe Wakebusters) – Peter Mackenzie
Peter Mackenzie is an actor with an incredible list of appearances going all the way back to 1987 with his role in Good Morning Vietnam. Since then he has appeared in over a hundred films and television shows, including the movie Trumbo, a recurring role on the television show Black-ish, and appearances in an impressive roster of sitcoms.
Fourth Place (Las Vegas ATV Trip And $1,000 Wakebusters) – Satoshi Nashima
Satoshi Mishima is a construction manager, and the St. Jude event was only the second time he has ever played poker after moving to Las Vegas from Japan three months ago. Mishima seems to have figured it out quickly as he was a force in the final two tables, busting players and shoving all-in with absolutely zero fear. He eventually ran into trouble and his journey ended with a fourth place finish which includes a fantastic ATV trip for two from Las Vegas ATV Tours, and a gift certificate for a thousand dollars from Wakebusters.
Fifth Place ($300 CSOP Entry and $100 Loaded Empanadas Gift Card) – Bill Cogan
Bill Cogan is a civil engineer who recently moved to Vegas with his wife Annie to chase his poker dreams. After twenty-five years of poker, Bill finally gets to play on a more regular basis and hopes to find success here in sin city. His favorite player is Daniel Negreanu, who can sometimes be seen at our CSOP events, and he also enjoys bowling and building surfboards.
For his fifth place finish, Bill receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a $100 gift card to Loaded Empanadas here in Las Vegas.
Sixth Place ($300 CSOP Entry and $100 Loaded Empanadas Gift Card) – Tomas Sanchez
Tomas Sanchez is a former professional basketball player who now owns a barber shop and enjoys weight lifting and spending time with his son Tomas Jr. and girlfriend Noelle. Sanchez enjoys playing heads up, and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Alex Foxen.
For his sixth place finish, Tomas receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a $100 gift card to Loaded Empanadas here in Las Vegas.
Seventh Place ($300 CSOP Entry and $100 Loaded Empanadas Gift Card) – Lu Huang
Lu Huang didn’t fill out the final table form, but we appreciate them playing in our event!
For his seventh place finish, Lu receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a $100 gift card to Loaded Empanadas here in Las Vegas.
Eighth Place ($300 CSOP Entry and $100 Loaded Empanadas Gift Card) – Martin Lowrey
Martin Lowrey is a detective sergeant with the Las Vegas Police department and can often be seen at CSOP events. Lowrey first played poker in college and has loved the game ever since. His favorite player is Brad Owen and his favorite game is seven card stud. His wife Shannon and sons Cooper and Arlo were rooting for him from home.
When he isn’t playing poker, Lowrey enjoys building legos with his sons and playing disc golf. He also aspires to win a WPT event some day, and we’re rooting for him! For his eighth place finish, Martin receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a $100 gift card to Loaded Empanadas here in Las Vegas.
Ninth Place ($300 CSOP Entry and $100 Loaded Empanadas Gift Card) – Oscar Gutierrez
Oscar Gutierrez is recently retired from IT work and spends time with his wife and two dogs, as well as playing poker in his spare time. He emigrated from Cuba at age three and enjoys watching Alan Keating and Jared Bleznik play the game. He also enjoys golf.
For his ninth place finish, Oscar receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a $100 gift card to Loaded Empanadas here in Las Vegas.
Chip Leader Trophy ($300 CSOP Entry and St. Jude Gift Box) – Alex Outhred
Alex Outhred is a professional poker player and vagabond who has been a huge CSOP supporter since it’s inception and a former event winner. Outhred has $658,384 in lifetime tournament winnings and plays cash games as well as coaching players who want to improve their game. Outred receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a St. Jude gift box.
Rebuy Trophy ($300 CSOP Entry and St. Jude Gift Box) – Lisa Szyc
Lisa Szyc is an experienced litigation attorney from Las Vegas, and our new favorite CSOP player! Szyc set a new record for rebuys in this event, donating over $10,000 during the rebuy period by rebuying herself, and the other players at her table, over 100 times! She receives a $300 entry to any CSOP event, and a St. Jude gift box as well as our respect for her incredible generosity! Thank you Lisa!
And here is a video of Edgar Alavez winning a huge pot early on that helped him cruise to the final table, provided by reporter Joseph Berg.
