High Stakes Poker Season 15 has provided no shortage of action on the felt. In our coverage of Episodes 1-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-14, you can read about countless six-figure pots. Sometimes, however, the most interesting moments in an episode stem not from the splashing of chips, but rather from the table talk and banter between the players.
In Episode 16, for example, there are plenty of massive pots – regularly trading houses back and forth over a game of cards – but it's a story told by Andrew Robl that highlights the runtime.
It's a very good story. It's a Michael Jordan story.
'He's not watching, don't worry'
It was Andrew Pacheco who asked the all-important opening query.
In past appearances on the show, the Las Vegas-based entrepreneur and businessman has taken on somewhat of a supporting role – not the most talkative, nor the most active player at the table, but an overall positive presence. In Episode 16, he further embraced that role as he teed up Robl for a slam dunk story (allow me this one painful dual-sport pun).
"You ever play poker with him, Robl? Michael Jordan?"
"I played with him one time, yeah," Robl replied, with the utmost cool, as he stacked up a small pile of betting discs worth more than the average salary in many countries.
"He didn't pay you?" asked Steve Swedlow – jokingly, but between his dry wit and stone-faced expression you might not have known it.
Robl clammed up at the question, but Swedlow offered a lifeline. "He's not watching, don't worry," he followed up, with a chuckle.
"Michael Jordan is an honorable man. He..." Robl trailed off.
"Alright, edit that part out, thanks," Swedlow said with a glance skyward, playing PR consultant on the fly.
"I have heard that before," Justin Gavri told Swedlow, flashing a knowing smile. Wisely, Robl intervened before any further discussion of welching could take place.
'800 people on the rail'
"So, in the poker game, Michael Jordan is friends with my friend Al. And they have a thing, they only see each other like once a year. And every time they see each other, they do a high card for $50,000," Robl explained.
"But Michael beat him like seven times in a row so they made a new rule: he lays him two cards to one. Al gets two cards, Michael gets one."
It's unclear who exactly this Al character is, but he's carved out an incredible spot for himself with this action – both in terms of potential profit and the sheer thrill of gambling huge with the greatest basketball player of all time.
"So, Michael plays with us for like an hour or two, this is in The Bahamas at Atlantis," Robl continued.
"There's literally 800 people on the rail because it's in the casino and once Michael Jordan sits down there's 800 people railing the game. The $50K high card comes and Michael says, 'Okay, here's my card. You pick your two.' Al picks his two cards, $50K each. He turns up a five and then a king. And he's like, 'I'm finally gonna get you, Michael.'
"And then Michael flips up the ace of diamonds."
