Bulls Writer Recalls Michael Jordan Lying to Phil Jackson After Gambling All Night
Michael Jordan’s Gambling Habits Were Legendary—But His Ability to Bluff? Even Better.
The Most Elite Poker Face
Michael Jordan is many things. A six-time NBA champion. The greatest basketball player of all time. A man who could retire, come back, and still dominate. And, as it turns out, an absolutely elite liar.
Because only Michael Jordan could spend the night gambling in Atlantic City, roll into his team hotel at 7 AM, at the exact same time as his coach, and when asked what he’d been up to, casually hit Phil Jackson with “Having breakfast.”
This story comes courtesy of Kent McDill, the only reporter to cover all six Chicago Bulls championship seasons and the author of If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Bulls: Stories from the Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box of the Chicago Bulls Dynasty—which, for the record, could have just been called Michael Jordan Did Whatever He Wanted and Still Won Rings.
Michael Jordan on gambling pic.twitter.com/RB1aWp43dj
— Gambling Minions (@Gamblingminions) February 8, 2025
Gambling, Bluffing, and Winning
Let’s set the scene. It’s the early ‘90s, and McDill—who, regrettably, is not the heir to the pickle fortune—finds himself in Atlantic City the night before a Bulls-Sixers matchup. He’s there for a little harmless fun at the cash casino, because what else is there to do in Philly? See the Liberty Bell again? But when he rolls into Harrah’s, he discovers that someone else has had the same brilliant idea. Enter: Michael Jeffrey Jordan, parked at a high-roller blackjack table, casually tossing around $20,000 per hand (well, playing two hands at a time at $10,000 per hand).
McDill, realizing he lacks both the stomach and the financial recklessness to witness this in real-time, bounces. But fate is funny, and a few hours later—now approximately 7 AM—he and his group return to the team hotel in Philly at the exact same time as Jordan. Which is convenient, because it gives them just enough time to be confronted by none other than Phil Jackson, who steps out of the elevator, looking refreshed and ready to start the day.
Phil, probably sensing shenanigans, asks what they’ve been up to. McDill’s group tells the truth: They went to Atlantic City. They had a great time and played some poker games. No biggie because they’re no biggie. But MJ? He’s a big deal.
Gambling
Michael Jordan’s gambling is often highlighted because it became a well-known aspect of his persona, symbolizing his hyper-competitive nature and larger-than-life lifestyle. His high-stakes bets, whether in casinos or on golf courses, were widely reported during his… pic.twitter.com/yJJhWiB34y
— 👑 Kènny✞ (@KaizenXIX) November 30, 2024
So, Michael Jordan, a man about to play a professional basketball game, does not tell the truth. Instead, he looks his coach dead in the eyes and says: “Having breakfast.”
Now, did Phil buy it? Maybe. Did he care? Probably not. Because this is Michael Jordan we’re talking about. The man could hit the tables all night and still drop 40 points before lunch. He could be in casino news headlines all day for winning big and do just the same in NBA news.
And really, isn’t that the dream? High stakes, a little blackjack, and the confidence to bluff your way through the morning? MJ may have been playing blackjack but that breakfast line? That was pure poker face.
Comments (0)