Darts legend Phil Taylor cruised through to the second round of the PDC World Championship, but 1996 Embassy champion Steve Beaton crashed out. Taylor was not at his best at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, but still enjoyed a 3-0 win over David Platt.
Beaton lost by the same score to unfancied Dutchman Jan van der Rassel.
Third favourite Adrian Lewis eased through against Droitwich taxi driver Dave Honey, while 2003 champion John Part beat China's Liu Cheng'an.
Steve Maish, the 28th seed, was beaten 3-2 by the 'Cockney Jock' Jason Clark, while Alan Caves suffered a 3-1 loss against Steve 'Snakeman' Alker, who keeps three pythons at his home near Llanelli. James Wade threw away a two-set lead to lose 3-2 against Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones.
Taylor said he felt his performance was "steady", adding: "I had a few butterflies before the match and a lot of my first darts were landing above the treble 20 wire.
"But I settled after the first set. It will be weird now to go home and come back in a week's time for my next game."
MMIX
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Taylor saves his best form every year for this event 