Vinnie Atria of Louisville, KY, and Vernon Peterson of Winterhaven, Fla., (L-R) got off to a quick start in the MoRich Over and Under Doubles Championship at The Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The duo felled 1342 pins and average 223,66 for the three games to win the first of five qualifying squads and to earn two byes for tomorrow's finals. Atria wasn't only happy because of the guaranteed $2,000 but also because he beat his teammate over the three-game set.

"We are bowling together for about five years in the ABC Tournament, now the USBC Open Championship," said Atria. "I think this is the first time ever I beat Vernon." In fact Atria, the OVER 50 player in the duo, topped Petersen every single game.

Atria had games of 228, 256 and 238 for 722, while Petersen contributed 620 pins (203, 202 and 215). "Vinnie was great horse", the former U.S. National Amateur champion stated.

Both players consider the MoRich Doubles as a warm-up for the main event, the 13th Annual Mini-Eliminator which will start on Monday here at The Orleans.

Ken Racette and Steven Smith, both of San Diego, Calif., finished the squad in second position with 1313 to advance to the finals and to earn a guaranteed $1,000. Pete Thomas, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mark Estes, Grapevine, Texas, landed in third place with 1291 and received $800 to double their entry fee.