REVEALED: Michael Jordan 'gambled on cards for 36 hours straight in the mid-1990s, nearly losing $900,000 with Celtics forward Antoine Walker before the two NBA All-Stars escaped down ONLY $180,000'
- Retied Boston Celtics star Antoine Walker claims he and Michael Jordan were partners in a 36-hour game of spades that nearly resulted in $900,000 in losses
- According to Walker, a 44-year-old Chicago native, the two were partners during the mid-1990s game of spades, which cost $20,000 apiece just to enter
- They escaped down only $180,000 after Jordan called in $500,000 on the spot to help keep the pair afloat until they could make somewhat of a comeback
- According to Walker, who may have been mistaken, the game took place before a 1995 press conference when Jordan was making his return to the NBA
- Walker was not in the NBA until 1996, when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics
- Jordan has denied having a gambling problem, insisting he can stop at any time
- Walker went bankrupt in 2010 after earning $108 million over his NBA career
The legend of Michael Jordan's notorious gambling habit grew this week as former Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker revealed a marathon 36-hour card game that nearly resulted in a $900,000 loss for the two All-Stars.
Speaking with current and former NFL cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden on their podcast, 'All Things Covered,' Walker discussed Jordan's notorious competitive streak, which famously extended well beyond basketball.
'Mike was competitive,' Walker said. 'I remember one time we played spades for 36 hours. We were playing against two other guys and Mike and I were partners. They had us behind $900,000.'
According to Walker, a 44-year-old Chicago native, the two were partners during a mid-1990s game of spades, which cost $20,000 apiece just to enter.
The legend of Michael Jordan 's notorious gambling habit grew this week as former Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker revealed a marathon 36-hour card game that nearly resulted in a $900,000 loss for the two All-Stars
Speaking with current and former NFL cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden on their podcast, 'All Things Covered,' Walker discussed Jordan's notorious competitive streak, which famously extended well beyond basketball
'When Mike calls, the buy-in goes up a little higher,' said Walker, who did not name the opponents. 'It's going to be a number that everybody has to bring to the table. I'd say $20,000 just to get in. If you don't have $20,000 to get in, you can't even play.
With his back against the wall, Jordan found a competitive edge as he'd done so many times on the basketball court.
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Only instead of a clutch shot or steal, Jordan's gambling heroics involved him getting $500,000 delivered to him on the spot to help the pair stay afloat until they could orchestrate a comeback.
'I was leaving for Boston in a couple of days so I had about $100,000 cash,' Walker said. 'I was always a cash person. MJ had about $200,000 on him, but he sent for $500,000. The other guys we played against had money too. They had us down $900,000 and we got back all the money except for $20,000. Mike did not want to see them win $20,000.'
In the end, though, Jordan wilted under intense fatigue.
'They ended up winning $180,000 because he got too tired,' Walker said. 'He was falling asleep at the table.'
According to Walker, who may have been mistaken, the game took place before a 1995 press conference when Jordan was making his return to the NBA from his foray into minor league baseball. In fact, Walker said, the card game went so long that the press conference was actually canceled. The problem with Walker's timeline is that he was not a wealthy basketball player in 1995, or at least he shouldn't have been, as far as the NCAA was concerned. Walker played for the University of Kentucky for two seasons starting in 1994 and helped win the Wildcats' 1996 national title
Michael Jordan, now 57, is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion and currently co-owns the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and a NASCAR team that happens to share his No. 23
According to Walker, who may have been mistaken, the game took place before a 1995 press conference when Jordan was making his return to the NBA after playing minor league baseball. In fact, Walker said, the card game went so long that the press conference was actually canceled.
The problem with Walker's timeline is that he was not a wealthy basketball player in 1995, or at least he shouldn't have been, as far as the NCAA was concerned.
Walker played for the University of Kentucky for two seasons starting in 1994 and helped win the Wildcats' 1996 national title; he likely would not have had any excuse to be carrying that much cash.
Jordan looks on from the dugout during a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium in 1994 in Florida. He would go on to play for the Double-A Birmingham Barons that season before returning to the NBA in 1995
Furthermore, Walker's reference to Boston in his story is another sign that his timeline is off because he was not drafted by the Celtics until June of 1996. It would have been strange for him to travel to Boston in 1995, when he was still a student at Kentucky.
Jordan's gambling habits are well documented, including the claim that he once lost $1.2 million in a game of golf.
He talked about gambling with 60 Minutes in 2005, saying he did not have a problem, but admitting that he 'pushed the envelope' and put himself into situations where he 'could not walk away.'
Jordan, now 57, also discussed his gambling habit with ESPN in the blockbuster documentary, The Last Dance.
'I never bet on games,' he said. 'I only bet on myself, and that was golf.
'Do I like playing blackjack? Yeah.'
Jordan went on to say that he 'could stop gambling' while admitting to a 'competition problem.'
His gambling first became a topic in 1993, when he was seen playing black jack at an Atlantic City casino until 2:30am before a playoff game against the New York Knicks.
Jordan is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion and currently co-owns the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and a NASCAR team.
Walker, meanwhile, has struggled financially. After winning a title with Miami in 2006, the former Wildcats star was out of basketball by 2008 and filed for bankruptcy in 2010 after earning $108 million as an NBA player.
