New chip leader: Pascal LeFrancois of Canada

Soon after the World Series of Poker’s Main Event field was sliced to two tables, the 18th player was eliminated and three Canadians are at the top of the leader board.

The ace-queen of Scott Clements from Mount Vernon, Wash., ran into the ace-king held by Matthew Jarvis of Surrey, British Columbia. Clements was sent to the rail in 18th place with a payday of $396.967.

Filippo Candio of Italy lost his chip lead after taking an 8 million hit to his stack and fell into fifth place.

Pascal LeFrancois of Rosemare, Quebec, Canada, is now in the lead with 27.5 million in chips. Jarvis moved into second place with 25.5 million while Jonathan Duhamel of Boucherville, Quebec is in third with 22.4 million in chips.

A Canadian has never won the Main Event.

Some 7,319 players began play in the Main Event on July 5. Players were vying to become part of the Main Event’s final table of nine. They will return to the Rio on Nov. 6 to play for a top prize of more than $8.9 million.