Our guest this week is Cat Hulbert. Cat was a professional blackjack player 30+ years ago. She played with the Czechs, and on the Ken Uston team in Atlantic City. She then turned to professional poker. She is the author of Outplaying the Boys, and is featured in Gambling Wizards.
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I was also offended by Oscar night Boobs. But you don't have to be a feminist or an frontrunner for women's rights; it was offensive. Your guest tonight was far-out, always entertaining, I could have listened to her for another hour but I wonder how much is truth and how much is her wishful thinking. She is funny though.
Just listened to your interview with Cat Hulbert…. what a fascinating woman! LOVED her stories. Hope you have her back again – the hour flew by! Lisa from Los Angeles
I was fascinated and entertained by Cat. Even though I know her, I am much, much younger than her and had no idea about what she had gone through as a woman in gambling. I was truly moved.
Wow so many women-gamblers!
I am really pleased with the response to Cat's appearance on the show. If you have not read Gambling Wizards I think you will find her interview fascinating. For me she was the most interesting interview in the book.
I've read her interview in your book a dozen times, she provided so much info. Men are unwilling to talk so candidly because of our swollen ego's.
She's far more candid in her interview in you book than the men are. Our ego's are too big.
Her interview was funny and entertaining, but far too short. I know her well and she is even funnier and more entertaining in person. You should have her on again forthwith!
What an amazing, complex woman with stories no one else could tell. It's so fascinating to learn not only about all the wild twists of her gambling life but of her perseverance, personal struggles and evolution as a person. I hope she will write another book about her life, or that someone will write one about her.
I took Cat's poker classes for women at Hollywood Park Casino over and over because she was so funny and such a good teacher. Many of the women said it was the only outing they looked forward to each week. She really made a positive difference in so many women's lives. Her book Outplaying the Boys was a wonderful read: inspiring, anecdotal, and best of all honest. I wish her interview had been longer (like so many of the comments said).
Great interview with Cat – hope you have her on again. A real role model for women in the profession. Someone should write her biography.
Cat's interview was fabulous!! I loved the candor and all the wonderful stories. You should definitely have her on again. I disagree with most here who think the Oscar "Boobs" skit was offensive, though. The bit was good natured and funny. To paint it like the misogyny of the past is to belittle the bigotry that people like Cat actually lived through. When we are equals we can kid around with each other good-naturedly. Can't you tell the difference between Seth McFarlane's jokes and true hatred and belittlement? C'mon.
Main point: Cat gave a fabulous interview. Because of it, I got a copy of her book rushed to me and it was EXCELLENT. I've been a profitable poker player for 20 years and her book gives invaluable advice no matter what gender you are.
–a man who loves women–
I met Cathy Hulbert at Hollywood Park in late 2007. I approached her after learning how highly regarded a poker player she is. We quickly became friends upon discovering in each other many common interests and tendencies, notably gaming, writing and bi-polarity. Bi-polars are risk takers by nature because the manic side of that spectrum can create a sense of powerful self confidence and invincibility. Cat's comments in the interview about her ballsiness ring true for anyone who knows her. But bi-polarity is a roller coaster ride with severe depression lurking at the bottom of the next hill. Treatment of bi-polar disorder can make those extreme feelings manageable but it's a struggle for a creative personality to stay cool, calm and collected in the face of challenges no matter how well the meds are working. Despite the odds against her succeeding in a tough, cutthroat, male dominated profession, Cat's brains, balls and heart, coupled with her piercing wit and winsome charm, propelled her to the top. She deserves a mountain of respect for all she's accomplished in the face of the adversities she's suffered. I'm proud to know her as a dear friend and colleague.
I've been a professional gambler for my whole life: aged 21 – 63. I listened to Cat's interview because I've played poker with her and watched with admiration as she handled many male adversaries who wanted to crush her due to the macho ego. I even saw one player punch her in the arm when he lost a hand to her. She may tell stories with humor but her table confrontations were far from funny in the moment. Because men were physically superior to her they thought they could bully her with sheer 'bigness.' But she's so dam smart and in her words, ballsey, she could back down even the Iranians who barely could breath when she'd beat them. I found her most poignant comments to be in regard to the unhealthy lifestyle of a gambling professional. Buddha like. I'd like to see her do television poker commentary. An area of broadcasting that needs more female perspective and creativity. And don't believe her attitude about being over-the-hill appearance-wise. The last time I saw her she was still beautiful to me. Signed John Burgess
John – I didn't know the swamps of Florida got AM radio reception. Thank you for your comments and observations. A feel-good comment you made to me in our Hollywood Park days was you'd be happy/relieved to see my pink Ford 150 in the parking lot because you knew you'd have at least one ally in the room. And you did. One of your most humorous self-observations about the difference between being a young poker whippersnapper and a geezer was: "When I was young my concentration was intense. I looked ahead in a poker hand, thought out my possibilities if such and such card turned. I was quick and ready to take advantage of tells, times to bluff, what to say to talk my opponent into calling or out of calling. When I turned 50 I'd raise pre-flop, nap before the turn and need the dealer to wake me up to act." I hope the South is treating my gentle man to afternoon juleps served by creamy skinned belles. High regards, Cat'hy
I am Cat's sister, Cheryl who was memtioned in the broadcast. We are night and day different. I am so fortunate the luck-of-the -family gene pool made us sisters. She calls me Angel girl but often I think she has been mine. My pride of you Cat is equal to my love. And please plan on a longer life.
Both my husband and I were entranced all the way through Cat Hulbert's interview. What a gift for words she has-a natural born story teller.
This interview is remarkable. Cat is one smart, entertaining, comically talented, honorable, candid and utterly compelling cookie.
I'm with others who want to see more — definitely another interview and maybe another book?
Cat Hubert is probably the best 7 card stud female expert in the world. i know because im no slouch and she has taken my money on neumerouse occasions
She is a skilled author and a very loyal friend. she has both looks and brains a rare combo
I think you should have Cat Hulbert on once a week for a year.
The cool thing about Cat Hulbert is she just doesn't give a F***! She admits to being a whore, a bimbo, eating too much, drinking too much, and she still puts it out there. She either crosses boundries so easily because she's bipolar kooky or people's opinions of her don't deflate or puncture her selfdom. Her honesty is refreshing, unlike today's gambling celebrities who think they are God's gift to Las Vegas while stealing their patrons money off of their on-line poker site. Off point – pardon me. Not only would I like to meet Cat, if she would even consider it, date her, if her sexuality stretches both right and left. Fishing Cat. Just fishing. (To the blog moderator, publish this comment as it was written please. Tell Richard and Bob they do a great job with their radio show.)
I loved listening to Cat's interview. Funny, knowledgable, personal. The gambling world is foreign for so many of us "regular folk" and she sheds light on so many facets: poker, blackjack, sports betting, slot machine teams. She was able to make the life of a gambler real and still fascinating. Her book was great, as was the interview. The show moderators really got good stuff out of her. I bet there's way more where that came from!!!!!! Maybe we can hear more??!!