Allen Iverson Drops Big Bucks at Poker Table

The reputations of former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley as big gamblers may be under challenge.

From Allen Iverson.

Iverson, formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets and now of the Detroit Pistons, reportedly took a wad of bills big enough to choke the proverbial horse and said to be worth about $50,000 out of his pocket Tuesday to play three-card poker at a Minnesota card room.

According to Minnesota media reports, Iverson, known as "A.I." for short, along with a posse of seven others, including Pistons teammate Rasheed Wallace, were at the Canterbuy Park Racetrack and Card Club in Shakopee, Minnesota, USA, the state's only legal card room, late Tuesday night.

The Pistons had a game Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves in nearby Minneapolis.

While at the card room, Iverson took a "wad of cash" out of his pocket so he could gamble at three-card poker, a mini-version of the game, the reports said.

The wad had a rubber band around it and was said to contain about $50,000, the reports said.

Iverson was a poor three-card poker player and lost most of his money, the reports said.

Walking around with bulging wads of cold cash in your pocket?

No wonder so many professional athletes feel the need to pack heat.

Yo, guys, ever hear of credit cards?

Or checks?

Or in Iverson's case, casino markers?

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Thomas Somach, www.pokerhelper.com