Main event finalist Buchman wins first bracelet

Eric Buchman, one of the final table contestants from last year’s World Series of Poker’s Main event, won his first champion’s bracelet over the weekend.

Buchman, 30, from from Hewlett, NY, topped a field of 476 entries to win the $2,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em tournament at the 2010 World Series of Poker. The event was the 18th of 57 planned events.

Buchman won $203,607 for first place, which somewhat pales in comparison to the $2.5 million for finishing fourth in the 2009 $10,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event, won by Joe Cada.

Buchman’s win earned him his first gold bracelet following 13 previous World Series of Poker cashes and three final table appearances dating back to 2006. His career World Series of Poker earnings now total almost $3.1 million.

“This is really special because I finally won one of these bracelets” Buchman said. “I really accomplished something. I came really close in 2006, when I came in second in a no-limit tournament. At the time, I did not realize how important it is. But now that I am a little older, it’s very important.”

In last year’s main event final table, Buchman entered the final table second in the chip count, but ended up finishing fourth.

“I was disappointed about not winning,” Buchman said. “It took me a few weeks to get over it. You never really get over it, but after a few weeks, I was okay with everything.”

Eric Buchman shows off his bracelet after winning the $2,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em tournament at the 2010 World Series of Poker.
(Photo courtesy World Series of Poker)