Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler has made his arrival at the Hollywood Poker Open Toledo Main Event, and we'll keep a close eye on the well-known tournament grinder as he attempts to take this one down.
Mike Ross and Patrick Steele are among the 70 or so players who have thus far braved the snowstorm (blizzard-like conditions outside) to sit in and play some hands.
Steele, who has an HPT win on his resume for more than $155,000 and numerous MSPT final tables, has experienced some success at this venue before. Last August, he made the final table of the Hollywood Poker Challenge here, where he was part of a three-way chop for $31,169 each. We'll see if he can repeat that feat here at the Hollywood Poker Open.
The Hollywood Poker Open Season 3 continues today with the Toledo Regional Main Event, kicking things off with Day 1a. The season opened with HPO Lawrenceburg, which drew 207 entries. Ohio's Jesse McEuen came out on top to bank $49,676.
Play begins at 12:15 p.m. local time here in Toledo, Ohio, featuring a player-friendly structure. The first of two Day 1 flights has 14 levels scheduled, with each lasting 50 minutes. Blinds begin at 50/100 and players get 20,000 in starting chips. Reentries are allowed for the first six levels. Should the field be whittled down to 12 percent of the players, play will stop for the day and chips will be bagged early.
Some familiar tournament faces have made their way to Toledo already, including Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler, and we'll see who else shows up when play begins shortly.