Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
Jeff Shulman of Las Vegas says he hasn't played in a poker tournament since July.
- Darvin Moon — 58,930,000
- Eric Buchman — 34,800,000
- Steven Begleiter — 29,885,000
- Jeff Shulman — 19,580,000
- Joe Cada — 13,215,000
- Kevin Schaffel — 12,390,000
- Phil Ivey — 9,765,000
- Antoine Saout - 9,500,000
- James Akenhead — 6,800,000
Jeff Shulman sent shockwaves through the poker community in July when he proclaimed he would throw the bracelet in the garbage if he would win the World Series of Poker Main Event.
Shulman made the remark in response to his displeasure with the way Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., has run the tournament in recent years. Although Shulman stands by his comments against Harrah’s, he has since backtracked on his promise to trash the bracelet.
“A lot of people took that comment too far,” Shulman said. “Will I keep the bracelet? No, I don’t think so. But I won’t throw it in the trashcan. I’ll figure something else out.”
Shulman, a 34-year old Las Vegas native and editor of Card Player magazine, could very well face the decision of what to do with the bracelet. He enters the final table fourth in chips and has one other major advantage.
Shulman hired Phil Hellmuth, who has won a record 11 World Series of Poker bracelets, as his coach.
Shulman hired Hellmuth because he said his game wasn’t at the level it once was. Shulman has earned $1.3 million in his career and came in seventh in 2000 Main Event.
Despite making this year’s final table, Shulman feels like he can improve in a number of areas.
“I made some calls I was unhappy with,” Shulman said. “Overall, I think I can become a much better player.”
As for what he’d do if he did become the champion and took the bracelet, Shulman mentioned a number of possibilities.
They included auctioning off the bracelet for charity.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
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