Poker Blogger Beware

I just wanted to share with all you poker bloggers out there a recent encounter I had with a “journalist”. The emails are unedited, except for the removal of the person’s name.

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Wed, January 19, 2005 3:40 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

still playing online poker?

Subject: Re: article
From: “Carter Rabasa”
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 8:30 am
To: xxx@redherring.com

To be honest, no. I took a bath one fateful night, and have since
withdrawn from the world of online poker. I still play, at home, in AC,
and in Vegas, but not online.

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:08 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

when you sy take a bath, what do you mean?

Subject: Re: article
From: “Carter Rabasa”
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 12:53 pm
To: xxx@redherring.com

I mean I lost thousands of dollars.

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:11 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

you know you cant tell a reporter “thousands” without me asking “how many”

Subject: Re: article
From: “Carter Rabasa”
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 12:55 pm
To: xxx@redherring.com

It’s because you’re a reporter that I’m not telling you.

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:13 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

listen, clearly this is not for a story!

i’m done with reporting that.

i have too many ppl who lost thousands!

Subject: Re: article
From: “Carter Rabasa”
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 12:58 pm
To: xxx@redherring.com

I’m not too worried about it. I won a couple G’s in Vegas and AC, so in
the end I think it all evened out. I don’t spend too much time thinking
about it. Besides, now I have time to actually go to the gym and read a
book once in a while. Imagine that.

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:37 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

um, guess what

i DO need to interview you, the guy i was supposed to interview who LOST
money and QUIT playing just told me he doesnt want to do it anymore. but
he lost WAY more than you.

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

i was supposed to turn it in to my boss in an hour!

Subject: Re: article
From: “Carter Rabasa”
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:26 pm
To: xxx@redherring.com

I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that. But I can ask around and see if
someone else wouldn’t mind talking to you. Do you need to interview
someone who lost money? What about someone who’s done well?

Subject: Re: article
From: xxx@redherring.com
Date: Thu, January 20, 2005 1:46 pm
To: carter@cubanlinks.org

yeah, i have a guy who was a lawyer and he quit last year and started
gambling full time. he makes about $20k per month!

i havent spoke to anyone who lost money and STOPPED

damn, this sux! but really, it’s not your problem. and it really doesnt
make the story any worse

it’s just that i have a quote from the gambling association or whatever,
talking about gambling addiction, etc

Very, very shady my friends. Be careful who you talk to out there.