Since its introduction in the 19th century, Poker has always been a fascinating game for casino players around the world. Today, the game of Poker comes with several popular variants that can easily be found in almost any online or live casino out there.
Besides casino players, Poker is quite popular in the movie industry. In fact, several Hollywood directors have made some great films that have Poker as their central theme. Here’s a look at some of the best Poker movies that are a must-watch for every Poker fan.
Rounder’s (1998)
Many people in the gambling community consider Rounder’s the best Poker movie of all time. And there’s a reason for that. While many Poker movies expect players to have at least some basic understanding of the game, Rounder’s doesn’t expect anything like that.
Directed by American film writer John Dahl, the film stars Matt Damon, John Malkovich, Edward Norton and Famke Janessen in the lead roles. The film starts with Mike McDermott (Damon) who dreams of becoming a professional Poker player in Las Vegas.
A gifted Poker player, Mike loses his entire stake of $30,000 in an underground Texas Hold’em Poker game run by mobster Teddy (Malkovich). The reason for his loss is the lack of proper bankroll management, which is quite crucial at both land-based gambling venues and online casino sites.
Devasted by that incident, the young lad promises his girlfriend and fellow students that he would quit Poker. Nonetheless, he returns to the Poker tables when his friend Worm (Norton) gets out of jail and is in dire need of money.
We won’t give away any further spoilers as its climax is a must-watch scene for every Poker fan. With an IMDB rating of 7.3/10, Rounder’s elegantly shows the importance of friendship, loyalty and confidence in oneself.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Based on the 2014 memoir of the same name, Molly’s Game is a biographical crime drama film that was released in 2017. Directed by famous American playwright Aaron Sorkin, the film shows the story of real-life Poker player Molly Bloom.
The film has Jessica Chastain, Kevin Costner, Idris Elba, Jeremy Strong and Michael Sera in lead roles. It starts with young Molly who is a world-class skier and aspires to compete in World Olympics. However, her career comes to an end when she gets severely injured in the qualifying event for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
With that, Molly turns towards the underground gambling world and starts organizing illegal Poker games for high-profile clients, such as rich celebrities, business people and athletes. She is eventually charged with allegations of operating illegal Poker events and laundering money.
All in all, Molly’s Game is a must-see for all Poker fanatics and other casino players who enjoy playing games like online Roulette and online Blackjack.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Although a bit old, The Cincinnati Kid is another great movie to watch as a Poker enthusiast. Directed by Norman Jewison, the story of the Cincinnati Kid is adapted from Richard Jessup’s novel of the same name.
Starring Edward G. Robinson and Steve McQueen, the film follows the story of young Eric Stoner who wants to establish himself as the finest Poker player. This leads him to challenge Lancey Howard, an old veteran who is widely considered the best in the game.
The most played game in The Cincinnati Kid is the Five Card Stud, a popular Poker variant that can be found in any top mobile casino. While it’s hard to verify the accuracy of the Poker games played in the movie, its other things are well worth a watch.
Maverick (1994)
Maverick is another Poker movie with a great cast, including the likes of Jodie Foster, James Garner and Mel Gibson. Owing to its powerful cast, Maverick was nominated for 3 Oscars and has even won one in the Top Box Films category.
The film shows the story of con artist Bret Maverick who is needing an extra $3,000 to take part in a high-stakes Poker game. For that, he teams up with another con artist named Annabelle Bransford and lawman Marshal Zane Cooper. The trio experiences several highs and lows while trying to get into the winner-take-all Poker event.
Other good Poker movies to watch
Besides the above-mentioned films, here are some other good movies to watch for Poker fans:
- A Big Hand for The Little Lady (1966): IMDB rating 7.3
- Deal (2008): IMDB rating 7.2
- California Spirit (1974): IMDB rating 7.2
- All In – The Poker Movie: IMDB rating 6.6
- Shade (2003): IMDB rating 6.3
- High Roller – The Stu Ungar Story (2003): IMDB rating 6.0