Buchman leads at break but Ivey on the move

The seven remaining players in the World Series of Poker’s Main Event broke for dinner around 7 p.m. Only two of the starting nine players had been eliminated after more than five hours of play at the Rio.

New York poker professional Eric Buchman held the chip lead with 54.72 million in tournament chips followed by Maryland logger Darvin Moon, with 41.25 million. Wall Street executive Steven Begleiter was in third place witth 38.1 million followed by French poker professional Antoine Saout, with 28.725 million. Michigan resident Joe Cada was in sixth place with 10.7 million.

The biggest changes in the standings belonged to the two biggest name professionals in the field.

Seven-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Ivey had climbed into fifth place by the break with 14.9 million in chips. He began the day in seventh with 9.765 million. Ivey won several large hands in the last hour before the break to climb into contention. He has never won the World Series of Poker’s Main Event.

Consequently, Card Player Magazine Editor Jeff Shulman was in seventh with 7.175 million. He began the day in fourth place with 19.58 million.