This week, President Trump's selected person for the Supreme Court is being put through his paces as the US Senate Judiciary Committee contemplates whether he is fit to occupy the highest position in the country or not.
The committee wishes to know more about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, especially about the subject of his gambling habits, including his fondness for country-club poker games.
If the Judiciary Committee gives their approval, then they will recommend his nomination be put to a floor vote by the whole Senate.
One senator, however, seems utterly disinterested in Kavanaugh's political experience and was more willing to hear about his gambling history. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse fired a list of questions regarding a 2001 email where Kavanaugh admits to playing and losing his cool after a rough session at the craps tables.
Kavanaugh wrote in response, "Apologies to all for missing Friday (good excuse), and growing aggressive after blowing still another game of dice (don't recall)."
This pushed the senator to delve deeper, not only into Kavanaugh's penchant to roll the bones, but also his inclination for poker.
On Wednesday, Kavanaugh was asked a series of questions by Whitehouse, which he was required to answer.
Sen. Whitehouse asked, "Do you play in a regular or periodic poker game? If yes, please list the dates, participants, location/venue, and amounts won/lost."
Kavanaugh said he did like to play a few rounds but would not say any details, "Like many Americans, I have occasionally played poker or other games with friends and colleagues. I do not document the details of those casual games."
Many news outlets have reported that Kavanaugh plays poker at an exclusive country club, and there is speculation it may be connected to his racking up of $60,000 to $200,000 worth of debt in 2016.
Whitehouse asked, "Have you ever gambled or accrued debt in the State of New Jersey?"
Kavanaugh replied that he remembers "occasionally visiting casinos in New Jersey when I was in school", but he said he only played low-stakes blackjack and never had any debts.
He was also asked if he had ever sought treatment for gambling addiction, to which he replied with a curt "no."
Regarding the six-figure debt, Kavanaugh explained he used it for home improvements and season tickets to the Washington Nationals baseball team with his family.
Naturally, judges playing poker is definitely not a new sight or in any way considered scandalous in the United States. We do not usually get the details, but the famous scene in the movie Rounders where judges were playing cards wasn't entirely pure fiction. Ex-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was impenitent when others found out he played in a monthly poker game.
Source:
https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/23216-supreme-court-nominee-yes-i-play-poker-no-i-m-not-a-degenerate-gambler
