November Nine:

Poker magazine editor takes back bracelet comment

Shulman will donate bracelet if he wins poker’s Main Event

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

CARD PLAYER MAGAZINE

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.

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