It is no secret that Hollywood has had a long fascination with the gambling landscape as depicted in films, specifically with the classic card game of poker. This little card game is practically made for the big screen for people to enjoy due to the intense, high stakes involved coupled with lives under the line. As there is a movie for almost anything you can imagine, you might consider asking which poker-centric movies you can watch right now if you are itching for some of that gambling action.
So, let’s delve into the top 7 poker movies you must watch right now while you have time to spare.
Deal (2008)
Deal was released back in 2008 that revolves around the story of Tommy Vinson who is played by Burt Reynolds. He is a former poker player who was noticed by a hot-shot law student, Alex Stillman who is played by Bret Harrison. The stakes are high on this one as Tommy mentors Alex only to find out that they must face off against each other at the final table.
The Grand (2007)
The Grand was released in 2007 as a comedy poker movie trying to go beyond anything you can imagine about poker itself. As it tries to push the boundaries, the story revolves around Jack Faro who is played by Woody Harrelson, a drug addict recovering from his addiction, a casino owner who has been mismanaging his business, and a serial husband who has married over 70 times.
Jack Faro is in quite a predicament as he now finds himself needing to beat the world’s greatest poker players for him to pay the loan to keep his family casino open. If you were Jack, you will need to use all of your knowledge of poker facts you didn’t know and emerge victorious because the stakes are so high, and with one slip, everything ends. The question now is, if you were in his shoes, do you think he can win in poker to recover everything he lost and even find his 75th wife in the process?
Shade (2003)
Shade was released back in 2003 as a crime thriller poker film following three con artists as they aim to create an elaborate plan to defeat the legendary poker player called “The Dean” who is played by Sylvester Stallone. However, like in any poker game, things don’t always go according to plan, so they have to improvise and adapt to the situations as they come.
Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale was released back in 2006 as a movie adaptation of the 1953 Ian Fleming James Bond novel. The story revolves around the time when James Bond had only started his career as Agent 007. His first assignment was to bankrupt a terrorist financier named Le Chiffre through a game of high-stakes poker.
Even today, Casino Royale is known to be among the most popular poker movies in history because of the strong following of the James Bond franchise. While it is a James Bond film, it kept the balance between entertainment and communicating the idea that poker will always be uncertain and unpredictable.
Smart Money (1931)
Smart Money was released during the Great Depression, and although it was among the worst economic depressions ever seen, it had created a classic poker movie as a byproduct. Smart Money focuses on the story of a poker player who used his money to build underground casinos aimed for commoners and elites, so they may have an even playing field.
What made Smart Money a great film is its prompt release during the Great Depression. Even amid the chaos, it tells a story of an average person beating a system by just being a strategic poker player during a time when professional poker players don’t even exist.
California Split (1974)
California Split was ahead of its time as it used an eight-track stereo sound with many people considering it as the best gambling movie ever made. While the movie doesn’t only involve poker but also other casino games like craps, blackjack, and roulette, it highlights the life of a degen and if it is for you to choose. In the story, Bill Denny, who is played by George Segal, and Charlie Waters, who is played by Elliot Gould, split the $82,000 winnings, going their separate ways afterward.
The Cincinnati Kid (!965)
Like Smart Money, The Cincinnati Kid was set during the Great Depression, following the story of Eric Stoner, also known as “The Kid”, who is set to become the greatest poker player ever. The only obstacle in his way to fame is Lancey Howard, known as “The Man”, considered by many as the best in poker. The film presents such a simple yet stark symbolism of the kid going against the man to accept his throne.
Conclusion
Regardless of the period when the poker film was released, it can be said for certain that poker movies have reshaped the way we consume cinema. Even during the Great Depression, poker films inspired people to keep moving despite the hardships that came. Poker movies like these in the list are here to stay in our minds as they present a historic value to cinema’s greatest achievements.