My stupid, little head

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/01/2012 (5048 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Continued from Jan. 22, 2012

 

Last week, our poker columnist left us on the edge of our seats in the first of his two-part miniseries on the responsibilities and proper conduct of a professional poker player. We resume with Mr. Carreira and his new acquaintance at the tables in Las Vegas. Mr. Carreira has already loaned his new ”buddy” $2,500 and appears to be on the verge of conducting another ominous financial transaction — one that seems destined to backfire on him…

 

My buddy was now up $10,000 and by the extravagant way he was betting I knew this was either going to be a great night or he would go broke quickly.

He lost everything and didn’t hesitate to ask me for money. I loaned him $1,500 more. Since I sensed nothing good was gonna come of this, I left.

The next day I went to his hotel, the Venetian, hoping to get my money from him. I didn’t think it would be a problem. I mean after all he was up $10,000 the night before, and that seemed like chump change to him. We ran into each other, and his body language was not the best. I asked him how the night had finished. He told me he went up to the room after I left and lost $15,000 more of his own money and he was now broke.

I asked him about my $4,000. He said he needed to get money wired from his bank in California. Problem being, it was Saturday, so how was that going to happen?

After grabbing a bite to eat, he said he was going to go home and come back early next week. I’m thinking, if this guy leaves I have no chance at getting my money, I’ll never see him again. So I come up with one of my bright ideas.

For some reason in my stupid, little head I decided if I loan him $1,000 more to hold him over till the banks opened Monday, that somehow I would be able to recoup my money. He thought the idea is a good one and accepted.

It didn’t take more than a couple of hours for him to go bust again. He came to me and said “Sorry bro, but I have to get out of here.” He gave me all his info, email address, phone number etc. and told me that he would be back in a few days.

I’m still waiting for him and it’s been over five years.

I called and emailed but got nothing. The phone was disconnected. What could I do? Nothing. I didn’t even know if he really lived in California. For all I know that could have been a lie, so I had to chalk it up as a $5,000 loss.

The poker world is a strange place. I have met many great people and made great friends over the years, but I have also heard so many stories where guys get burned like I did. The reason I decided to share this with all of you is I feel it one of my responsibilities as a poker pro.

I guess if I can help one fewer person get scammed out of their money, then in some way I feel I have done my job.