Illinois Scandal Involves Poker

December 15, 2008

Poker is ubiquitous in nature – it is everywhere at the same time, and seemingly a part of everything that is out there to be offered. It has good connotations and bad – it just depends on what side of the coin you fall. However, for all of the good press that poker has gotten recently, there is now a negative associated with their name as well.

The Governor of Illinois was arrested earlier this week for soliciting bribes in exchange for political appointments, as well as various other offenses. The idea is that with Barack Obama now set to be our next president, there will be a vacancy left with his U.S. Senate seat when he assumes office. This led Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

With it being vacated, according to Illinois law the governor would then get to pick the next Senator who would serve until the next election. What does all of this have to do with poker? Simple, in order to use “code” when discussing the bribes, the governor would only speak in poker metaphors.

He talked in poker metaphors to describe the possible bribes that he had already been offered. Talking about “raising” and “pay to play” among others. He said that one offer would raise him 500 grand, and the conversation went on from there.

Just goes to show you that poker can be used for just about anything – it is a multi use application!