Former Republican presidential contender Herman Cain spent Thursday night at a $10 buy-in poker table at the Wynn Las Vegas Encore Resort — and was still betting on his catchy 9-9-9 tax plan.
And to the delight of other gamblers, in the heat of a three-card poker game, Cain began shouting, “Give me a 9-9-9!”
Witnesses said the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO was alone, with no security, at the low- rollers’ table. One said, “We were amazed to see Herman Cain at the lowest buy-in table, practically the first table as you walk into the casino. There was no going to the high-rollers’ private rooms for him.
“He was alone and playing for quite a while,” our spy said. “At one point during a game, when he was playing against the dealer, he complained about his hand and shouted, ‘I need a 9, give me a 9-9-9!’
“Given the significance, everybody fell about, laughing. He didn’t win big at the gambling table, but charmed others in the casino.”
The source added Cain, said to be worth up to $6.6 million, has been a regular face at the tables at the casino, but never gambles big money.
Confirming our story, Cain last night told us in a statement, “9-9-9 is not only a winning tax plan, it is also a winning poker hand.” His spokeswoman added that Cain “did win on a 9-9-9 hand” after placing the $10 minimum bet.
Cain, 66, suspended his presidential campaign in December, but pledged that he “would not go away.” He has since backed fellow Georgia resident Newt Gingrich in the GOP presidential primary.
Cain said this month that he expected Gingrich to continue the race for the nomination, despite sagging poll numbers and pressure from GOP rivals Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul to drop out. On Thursday, Cain will visit Raleigh, NC, to speak at the Wake County Republican Party Convention.