Poker News Daily: It must feel good to be back at the final table of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event after a nine-year hiatus.
Shulman: It definitely feels good, but it’s so much different now. Back then, the tournament was played in one or two days. From making the money to final table was eight hours, so you didn’t have time to think. Now, I’m up at 2:00am every morning thinking about it.
PND: What do you remember specifically about your final table appearance in 2000?
Shulman: I remember what shirt I was wearing because I still have that. Mostly, I remember the players. It seemed like I was there for half an hour even though I had most of the chips to start. The arena also seemed smaller. There were a few fans, but not like there are today. There also weren’t a lot of cameras. I was picking up hands and playing ultra-aggressively. To me, it was a blast. I had never seen $100,000 in cash before.
PND: Talk about your comments about throwing out the WSOP Main Event bracelet should you win. Is that something you wish you could take back or do you stand by it?
Shulman: A guy came up to me and I was misquoted. I don’t want to talk a lot about it. People are blowing it out of proportion. Whatever I decide to do with the bracelet should I win will be my business.
PND: The WSOP Main Event is a unique marketing opportunity for CardPlayer and SpadeClub. Will you be wearing any other logos?
Shulman: I for sure will be wearing CardPlayer and SpadeClub logos. I won’t be wearing a logo for an online poker site because it’s a conflict of interest. If an opportunity were to come up with a company outside of poker, I’d consider it.
PND: You’re in the middle of the pack in chips entering November’s play in the Main Event. What’s the best strategy to overcoming a massive chip leader like Darvin Moon?
Shulman: Wait them out. If you compare my big stack poker game to a boxer, a guy like Floyd Mayweather sits back and throws jabs. He doesn’t go for a knockout punch. I don’t know if Moon will make any mistakes, but I don’t need to push it with anyone. If you watch the Main Event on television leading up to the final table, you’ll see that people just hand me chips. People decided to get it all-in with two tables remaining and we finished early that day.
PND: Talk about the presence of Phil Ivey and two sponsored Full Tilt Poker pros, Steven Begleiter and Kevin Schaffel, at the final table. That’s a pretty talented group.
Shulman: I personally play better when there are better players at the table. It’s not as easy, but it will make my focus at its best. I play better when I’m focused, but it’s certainly harder. Kevin slapped me around for a few days. I was only at Steve’s table when it was 10-handed to nine-handed. It is what it is and I’m obviously thrilled to be here.
PND: How are you preparing for the final table?
Shulman: I’ve done nothing yet. I played the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) Main Event and have been working on a game plan in my head. It’s nice to get back to playing poker because November is getting close. I’m panicking that I’m slipping while everyone else is getting better. My game is good, but it needs to be polished up. I’m not pleased with my game now and I’m going to be working with a coach, Phil Hellmuth, to help me with my game.
PND: What has contributed to your success in the Main Event to this point?
Shulman: My success in the first few days came by playing wild. Some of it was a good table draw. Every once in a while, I had more chips or good position on the rest of the table. Then, I got lucky. I didn’t get lucky by getting in with the worst of it and drawing out, but I got big hands. I got aces a few times, kings a few times, and won my races. My A-K never lost to A-Q. If that keeps up, anyone can win. I’ve never been in a spot where this has happened. I also avoided a few hands that would have busted me. The hand that Eric Buchman doubled up with pocket eights, I folded tens and the other guy had kings, so it’s dodging big spots, too. Overall, things have been going well for me.
PND: How has business at CardPlayer fared while you’ve been immersed in the Main Event?
Shulman: I haven’t been put 100% of my focus over the last couple of months into CardPlayer. I have a big event, though, which will be good for the company. It’s obviously good for CardPlayer if I win. That’s why I’m starting to play again. I’m also having my second child on Friday, which will be a big “obstacle.” Hopefully, with a week to go before the Main Event, I can get some sleep!
