from Turning a Plane ride to Card Game, Having a Special Room All the Time, Michael Jordan’s Gambling Went to Another Level

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Every athlete has a way of relaxing in between games. some like to party, whereas others prefer quiet time. And then there’s Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. A resurfaced video of the Bulls during the NBA season 1995-96, gave fans a little peak into the lives of the stars of the chicago side. Hardcore fans might very well be aware of the fact that Michael Jordan used to have a knack for gambling. Often, Jordan has clarified that he did not have a gambling addiction. Well, whatever it may be, MJ sure did like to play a game of cards. One such video from over two decades ago showed His Airness getting comfy with fellow Bulls teammates as they tried their luck in a card game. As the video panned to one of the compartments in the team’s plane, it showed Jordan with three of his teammates playing five-card gin rummy with seemingly high stakes. “This is my way to give some of my money back. This is the way Jack gets paid,” said MJ, when asked about the game.

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Michael Jordan and his gambling problems

Back in 1993, Jordan had specifically said in an interview that he did not have a gambling problem. However, he did admit that he had a competition problem. While it is true that MJ was a highly competitive individual, it did not change the fact that MJ liked betting on just about every sport. In the same year, he got into an altercation with one of his previous golf partners, Richard Esquinas.

The book that revealed MJ's gambling chronicles

The businessman/author had published a book called 'Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction… My Cry for Help'. The book revealed their gambling chronicles and also the fact that Jordan allegedly owed Esquinas a whopping amount of $1.25 million.

MJ about Esquinas

“You know, I’m actually playing golf with people all the time now. If they want to gamble, we gamble. The character of those individuals, I find out later what kind of people I was playing with. I learned that lesson,” MJ said about Esquinas.

The former Chicago Bulls superstar sure did regret playing with Esquinas but it did not inspire him to quit gambling. Following the controversy involving Esquinas, MJ made sure to stay out of the limelight but it did not stop the rumors about his gambling habits from spreading like wildfire.