Mark Selby and Mark Allen were among the big-name casualties on day one of the BetVictor Shoot Out at Watford Colosseum.
Three-time world champion Selby suffered a 54-18 defeat to Sunny Akani in the one-frame format, while Allen lost 54-8 to Luo Honghao following a costly missed black off its spot.
Masters champion Stuart Bingham was edged out 46-41 by Andrew Pagett at the Rickmansworth Road venue, but there were wins for Mark Williams and Kyren Wilson over Luca Brecel and Michael White respectively.
Last year's Shoot Out winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, kicked off Thursday's action with a 63-17 victory over Alex Borg, while David Gilbert booked his place in the next round with a 39-0 win against Robert Milkins.
Jimmy White fell at the first hurdle in a 71-39 defeat to Matthew Stevens.
Malaysia's Rory Thor produced the day's highest break - a superb 133 clearance against Women's World Championship runner-up Nutcharut Wongharuthai - while Chang Bingyu's 120 against 14-year-old Iulian Boiko was the only other century.
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