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MUMBAI: Gambling always makes for a good movie plot. It adds excitement and gives the screenwriters a chance to take players on a rollercoaster ride—the highs and lows that come from everything being on the line. It’s no surprise then that there have been some excellent gambling-themed films over the years, from classics featuring Texas Hold’em Poker to heists with casino vaults and more.
Here are our picks for the best films based on poker, betting, and casino gaming.
Rounders
Ask the average person what the best Matt Damon film is and they’ll give you a list of the classics, such as films like Good Will Hunting, The Departed, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Ask a poker fan andRounders isthe only name you will here.
Despite flying under the radar of the average filmgoer, this flick has gone down in history as the best poker film ever made. Released in 1998, Rounders tells the story of Mike McDermott, a genius at the poker table who plays high-stakes games with his adversary, John Malkovich. It also features Edward Norton and John Turturro—an all-star cast, if there ever was one.
21
21 is a slick action film based on a true story, one that every gambler has heard. It follows 6 MIT students as they take on the casinos using a card-counting strategy. They take Vegas casinos for millions, and there’s no shortage of drama and shenanigans along the way.
The film stars Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth, as well as Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Spacy, and Josh Gad, among others.
Casino Royale
The poker scene at the beginning of Casino Royale is iconic. It’s a must-watch even if you’re not familiar with the game of poker. It’s also the film that introduced us to a grittier James Bond and helped to set the scene for a new series of films.
If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. If you have, go back and watch those opening scenes again. Get the cards out or play some slots to enhance the experience and make you feel like a secret agent. Be sure to grab some deposit bonus offers on slot games if you do decide to join 007 in playing a few games.
Next
Next is a little different from the other films on this list as it’s more of an action/sci-fi flick and it doesn’t necessarily put gambling at its core. It’s an excellent film that many viewers slept on, though.
Starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Jessica Biel, Next is about a Las Vegas magician who can see into the future. Their problem is that he can only see several seconds into the future, and he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself by making grand predictions. So, he uses his talents to win at casino games, moving from casino to casino when he raises suspicion.
One of the movie’s best scenes comes early in the film when we see him winning at the gaming tables. His knack for winning draws attention from the eye in the sky, so they send the heavies down to escort him out of the casino. We watch as he uses his talents to avoid them at every turn, slipping behind gaming machines, taking a drink, sitting down, and generally playing a game of cat and mouse. It’s excellent, and let’s be honest, if we could actually see several seconds into the future, we’d probably all head for the casino as well.
Incidentally, the film is based on a Philip K. Dick story called The Golden Man. He is the same writer who gave us stories that eventually became films like Bladerunner, Minority Report, Paycheck, and Total Recall—all excellent films and even better books.
The Sting
The Sting is not just one of the best gambling films; it’s one of the best films in general. It features an excellent performance by the legendary duo Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It’s about confidence tricksters and the scams they pull, eventually leading to a big con (the titular “sting”) that takes so many twists and turns it will put your head in a spin.
The Sting was released in 1973, so many of you will have already seen it. But there could still be a generation of film fans out there that has not yet had the pleasure. If you’re one of them, check it out!
Hard Eight
Created by Paul Thomas Anderson back in 1996, Hard Eight takes us on a journey with a lonely, sad protagonist living his life in Las Vegas. It was Anderson’s debut film, and while it hasn’t received the same acclaim as some of his later work, it is still an excellent film with a deeply moving storyline and an intriguing message.
Summary: Gambling Films
These are just a few of the great films based on gambling. We didn’t even mention Casino,anall-time classic casino film, and you also have hidden gems like Tricheurs, recent releases like The Card Counter, and unforgettable films like The Color of Money. We think it’s time to start planning your next movie night!
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