Van Hoof leads Main Event at evening break

Jorryt van Hoof held the chip lead Monday during the first evening break on Day 7 of the World Series of Poker Main Event at the Rio Convention Center.

Van Hoof, of Eindhoven, Netherlands, knocked out two players during the level following the dinner break and held 34.7 million chips. Norway’s Felix Stephensen was second with 29.2 million as 13 players remained in the $10,000 buy-in No-limit Texas Hold ’em World Championship.

Play in the Main Event continues until nine players remained.

The tournament goes on hiatus for the next four months and resumes with the “November Nine” final table starting Nov. 10 at the Rio’s Penn & Teller Theater. The last two players go head to head for the $10 million first prize Nov. 11.

ESPN will air its coverage of the Main Event beginning Sept. 28.

Six of the 13 players were from Europe, while Brazil’s Bruno Politano had a boisterous cheering section that gave the featured table a festive atmosphere.

Mark Newhouse of Los Angeles was still alive in his quest to become the first two-time “November Niner.” Newhouse, who finished ninth last year, also would be the first player since Dan Harrington in 2003 and 2004 to reach the final table in back-to-back years.

FEATURED TABLE

Felix Stephensen 29,200,000

Luis Velador 20,750,000

Bruno Politano 19,820,000

Mark Newhouse 9,250,000

Andoni Larrabe 7,900,000

Craig McCorkell 4,925,000

Maximilian Senft 4,075,000

SECONDARY TABLE

Jorryt van Hoof 34,700,000

Dan Sindelar 22,450,000

Martin Jacobson 18,850,000