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Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

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The Conversation: Professional gamblers: Cat Hulbert and Celina Lin

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Professional gamblers: Cat Hulbert and Celina Lin

16/05/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - The Conversation, Professional gamblers: Cat Hulbert and Celina Lin

'The best female gambler on earth' and 'China's Queen of Poker' reveal their secrets

Professional gamblers from the US and China swap tips on how to psych out opponents and stay the course, and discuss the highs and lows of playing cards for money.

Cat Hulbert started gambling for a living 40 years ago. A blackjack player in her 20s, she became so skilled at winning money from casinos, she was soon very unpopular with them all around the US. Cat took up poker in the 1980s, and was one of the first women to break into the ranks of professional card players. The Game Show Network called her "the best female gambler on earth." Now retired, Cat says she is not sure that she would legalise gambling in a state that did not have it, as it can ruin so many lives.

Celina Lin, who has been described as 'China's Queen of Poker', was born in Shanghai and moved to Australia as a child.  Always a gaming enthusiast, she got into poker by accident, but quickly became a skilled online player and has been employed by the company PokerStars for the last eight years. She is now based back in China, playing high-level poker tournaments in the casino city of Macau. Celina has won the prestigious Red Dragon cup twice, and views poker not as a game but as an extremely demanding mind sport.

Image: Celina Lin (L) and Cat Hulbert (R) (Images courtesy of Celina Lin and Cat Hulbert)

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