In one of the biggest upsets of the first day of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, 2003 World Series of Poker Champion, Chris Moneymaker, was able to dispatch Patrik Antonius in about 30 minutes. Antonius, who frequently plays heads-up cash games online, was a huge betting favorite in the match, but it was the man who put poker on the map in 2003 who will be advancing in the bracket style tournament.

In another major upset, 2006 WSOP Main Event champion, Jamie Gold –who was basically pronounced DOA– was able to defeat Italian Poker Pro Dario Minieri. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Gold was able to elicit a call by flashing an innocuous 7 while Minieri mulled over a call. Dario eventually made the call only to see Gold’s other card, a 4, give the former WSOP champion three-of-a-kind.

It seems former WSOP champions ruled the day; 2005 Champion Joe Hachem defeated UB poker pro Shawn Rice; 2007 Champion Jerry Yang defeated Mike “The Mouth” Matusow; and 2008 Champion Peter Eastgate defeated Bertrand “ElkY” Grosspieller. Only 2009 Champion Joe Cada, and 2004 Champion Greg Raymer were unable to win their matches, losing to David Williams and Gus Hansen respectively.

In other matches:

Last Year’s champion Huck Seed was eliminated by Erik Seidel; Annette Obrestad bested pitching legend Orel Hershiser; and actors Don Cheadle and Gabe Kaplan were able to advance to the second round.

Two rounds will be played on Saturday, followed by the final four players taking to the felt on Sunday to declare a champion.

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Tags: Chris Moneymaker, Dario Minieri, Greg Raymer, Gus Hansen, Jamie Gold, Joe Cada, Joe Hachem, National Heads-Up Poker Championship, patrik antonius

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