Trashing a WSOP Bracelet

Ted Forrest has earned 5 WSOP gold bracelets in his career, but only has one of them; 3 were stolen, he gave two to his daughters, and he bought one from Hamid Dastmalchi.  Forrest purchased the bracelet from Dastmalchi after Hamid said it was only worth $1,500 to which Ted replied “Sold!”  Of course not everyone thinks the same way about WSOP gold bracelets like Ted Forrest does including 2009 Main Event final table player Jeff Shulman.

Shulman owns CardPlayer Magazine and wasn’t granted media rights at the WSOP.  He’s frequently stated in interviews that he has no respect for the WSOP management, and doesn’t ever plan on wearing his WSOP bracelet.  His comments in one interview said, “When I thought I had a chance of winning [the Main Event] years ago, I said I wouldn’t ever wear it.  I’m shocked that people wear those ugly things while they play.  It has nothing to do with CardPlayer.  It’s my lack of respect for the WSOP and the management and what they’ve done to all of the players.  I don’t like it.  Having said that, I still wouldn’t wear [the bracelet] if I were best friends with them.  I’d probably just toss it or give it to a friend.  I think there are other things to worry about in life besides trying to win a bracelet in poker.”

I’m pretty sure that Shulman’s comments and views do have something to do with the fact that CardPlayer Magazine has no media rights at the WSOP.  However, I do agree with him that the WSOP gold bracelets are kind of lame since I’ve seen my friend’s bracelet.  But still, WSOP bracelets are like a trophy and they commemorate a victory.  In fact, I bet Shulman will still pull his bracelet out from time to time to check it out.