Lucky Dog Poker by Russ Scott

The World Series of Poker just gained an extraordinary subplot for its main event final table coming in early November.

In an epic heads-up duel that lasted until nearly daybreak last Friday in London, poker media mogul Barry Shulman defeated popular pro Daniel Negreanu to claim the WSOP-Europe main event bracelet and set the stage for a possible unprecedented finish next month in Las Vegas.

Shulman's son Jeff, you see, is one of the November Nine who'll be battling for the world champion's bracelet in Las Vegas on Nov. 7-9. He's fourth in chips and rated as one of the top five favorites to win. If he pulls off the victory, it would be a family feat likely to stand forever.

Moments after his victory, the 63-year-old Shulman told media what he would say to his son upon his return to the States: "I did my part. Now, you do your part. It's your turn to win."

The possibility of father-and-son main event champs in the same year adds a story line to the November finale, which already has plenty, such as:

— Phil Ivey, often called the "Tiger Woods of Poker," is closer than ever to capturing the greatest title in the game and building his WSOP bracelet count to eight.

— After making the November Nine in July, Jeff Shulman, 34, said he would pitch the bracelet in the trash if he wins in an apparent protest of how Harrah's is running the WSOP. Meanwhile, the elder Shulman said he was "happy to win" his bracelet in London and that his son "plans on cherishing his" if he wins next month. We'll see.

— A whopping $8.5 million is waiting for the champion, capping a 61-tournament series in Las Vegas and London that generated $182.6 million in prize money and a record 62,129 players in bracelet events. 

Although both Shulmans have respectable tournament records, they are best known for publishing Card Player magazine since 1999, when Barry Shulman bought the business.

He is chairman and CEO, while his son is president and COO.

Shulman entered the nine-handed final table at London's Empire Casino fourth in chips but early on was perhaps the least active player at a tough table that featured four former gold bracelet winners besides himself and Negreanu. Also there, remarkably, were November Nine players Antoine Saout and James Akenhead.

Negreanu catapulted from short stack to chip leader by eliminating six opponents himself. He had momentum and a nice chip lead over Shulman — 6.2 million to 3.9 million — when heads-up play began.

But Shulman doubled-up early when he hit the nut flush on the turn and cracked Negreanu's pocket aces. Despite the crippling blow, Negreanu scratched his way back in front by about 2 million chips over the next two hours.

Then, at about 5 a.m., came a hand that poker players will talk about for a long time.

All the chips went in on a flop of J-8-5. Negreanu showed Q-J offsuit for a pair of jacks, but the all-in Shulman tabled pocket aces and was well ahead. The crowd went berserk when a jack came on the turn, putting Negreanu on the brink of victory. Only two cards in the deck could beat him.

BAM! The river card was an ace, giving Shulman a full house and touching off an ear-shattering roar of disbelief, which should make for great TV when the final table airs in February on ESPN. The match ended a few hands later when Shulman's pocket tens easily beat Negreanu's pocket fours.

Shulman described his victory as a turning point. He told reporters he had "not been playing as hard" in recent years because of his business interests. "Now, I'm back on the winning trail and feeling very good about it."

We'll find out in Las Vegas if those feelings run in the family.

E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 RUSS SCOTT

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