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The WPT Hollywood Poker Open is a relatively trivial affair so far as Word Poker Tour (WPT) events are concerned, having attracted a field of just 143 players. The $393,000 top prize, however, is reason enough for a number of top online poker players to venture into the live tournament arena. Frank ‘Frank1The1Tank’ Calo, one of the world’s most successful online poker players, emerged as chip leader at the end of day 3 in the inaugural WPT event at the Hollywood Casino Indiana. The 143-player field has now been whittled down to just 15, with Calo in a commanding position entering day 4 of the tournament.

The WPT Hollywood Poker Open is similar in size and prestige to many UK poker tournaments, which are also played regularly by both UK online poker players and live event stars. Generally speaking, online poker play has become every bit as competitive and accepted as live event tournaments, so players frequently switch between the two forms of the game. Calo’s impressive day 3 success proves how online poker players can enjoy good form in live events against many of the world’s top professionals; although, Calo himself is fast becoming a superb live event player, with career earnings now standing at more than $215,000.

Taking 649,000 chips into day 4 of the Hollywood Poker Open, Calo has a 133,000 chip lead over second-placed Todd Terry (516,000), who earlier folded pocket queens on the flop to survive Carlos Mortensen’s trip-fives. Mike Miller (449,000) and Len Ashby (386,500) filled the third and fourth positions respectively, while day 2 leader, Dwyte Pilgram, held on to fifth place with 328,500 chips – 6,000 more than sixth-placed Mortensen. Calo is expected to increase his advantage on day 4 of the tournament; however, Pilgram will be hoping to force a return to the top while Mortensen is an outside favourite to progress.