Jordan Claims He Has Learned Lesson, Will Reduce the Stakes

The Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan says he won’t quit gambling, but has decided to drastically lower the stakes.

Jordan acknowledged during the federal drug and money-laundering trial of James Bouler last week that he lost $57,000 in golf and poker bets to Bouler during a weekend outing in South Carolina 16 months ago.

“Winning is great, but when you lose that amount and get all the abuse I got, it ain’t worth it any longer,” Jordan said during the Bulls’ practice Monday. “I think people can accept my losing $40 or $50. It’s easy to relate to. A $20 Nassau is something I should stick with.”

A $20 Nassau is when golfers bet $20 on front-nine scores, $20 on back-nine scores and then $20 on the total 18 holes, with $60 the most anyone can win or lose, assuming no other bets are made.

Jordan testified that he played $1,000 Nassau with Bouler and others at Hilton Head, S.C. But Jordan denied that he was hustled by Bouler and others that weekend.

“It was just bad golf in a three-day period,” he said.