Cline Leads; Moneymaker in Third at HPO Grantville
Day 1 of the Hollywood Poker Open Grantville Regional Main Event attracted 92 entries, but after 14 levels of play, jut 18 players managed to survived to bag up at the night's end. Leading the way into Day 2 is Jeremy Cline, who finished Day 1 with 274,000. Meanwhile, Michael Nolan finished a tad behind with 260,500, while Tour ambassador and 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event champ Chris Moneymaker sits in third place with 199,000. Moneymaker's seeking his second HPO win after taking down the St. Louis event last season for just over $36,000. He also has one other final table, a third-place finish at Tunica last year.
Others making it through included Kent Bitzer (148,000), Alex Queen (132,000), Ken Moore (121,000), Ethan Dolan (100,500), and Tim "T-Mac" McCarthy (68,500). Blinds will be 1,500/3,000/500 when play resumes on Sunday.
Moneymaker dragged a huge pot during Level 14 (1,200/2,400/400), the final one of the night. He had been battling with rival Kevin Truong all night, with the two exchanging three-bet pots as each player sought to establish a position as table captain.
It was Moneymaker who ultimately came out ahead in the battle, with the final blow being struck when Truong raised to 6,200 in middle position and Moneymaker three-bet to 13,500. Truong came along and called bets of 15,000 on the flop and 25,000 on the turn as the board rolled out 
. He checked a final time on the end, and Moneymaker shoved for 32,400.
"Don't tell me you have eights, man." Truong said.
Moneymaker had only 
, but it was good after Truong check-called. Truong busted shortly after, completing a fall from the chip lead.
Other players busting on Day 1 included Kane Kalas, "Pai Gow" Tom Daubert, Mark Rebuck, Jerry Snook, and Marc Fluss.
The tournament attracted a field of 92 players, a clear step up for the tour after last year's 37-player field, which was won by Bradley Yazici. Numbers are up across the board for the HPO in Season 3, making it clear the new $1,115 price point is a hit with the players. The remaining 18 players will return Sunday at noon to play for a first-place prize of $29,342.