Top 8 films where poker is played

Tens of millions of people play poker. The card game is also popular in films. There poker is often not only an element of the plot, but also a tool for character development. Film makers also love drama, and there is always a lot of it at the tables. In this article we have collected 8 films where poker played an important role.

Briefly about the films

1. "Rounders" (1998). Rated 7.3 on IMDB.
Rounders is a classic thriller and one of the best poker films ever made. The plot centres on Mike McDermott, who saves a friend from the mob. He must raise $10,000 in a short period of time or his mate Lester will be killed. In the past, Mike was a talented poker player, so the way to earn money did not have to come up with a long time.

Except that McDermott's fiancée is not thrilled with the situation. The film stands out for its realistic dramaturgy and great acting by young Matt Damon and Edward Norton.

2. "Casino Royale"(2006). Rated 8.0 on IMDB.
James Bond film is based on a poker tournament. In it, the famed MI6 agent faces off against the sinister Le Chiffre. If the victory remains for James, the mafia accountant will go to co-operate with her majesty's secret service. The confrontation between Bond and Le Chiffre is intriguing and keeps the viewer in suspense until the end of the film.

"Casino Royale": rebooted the series, brought a fresh look at the classic spy and confirmed the cinematic significance of the poker game. Special mention to Chris Cornell's gorgeous title theme.

3. "Molly's Game" (2017). Rated 7.4 on IMDB.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's debut in the director's chair. He brought to the screen the real-life story of a poker game organiser involving celebrities and rich people. The film about Molly Bloom shows the high stakes and intrigues of the poker world.

In parallel, the film explores the psychology of the main character, questions of morality and legality.

4. "Maverick" (1994). Rated 7.0 on IMDB.
The comedy western "Maverick" tells the adventures of professional gambler Bret Maverick in the days of the Wild West. The film is known for its humour, funny situations at the poker table and plot twists.

In the movie, they play five-card poker. The last third of the film is devoted to the All Rivers Poker Championship.

5. "Lucky You" (2007). Rated 5.9 on IMDB.
The film focuses on the complex relationship between a father and son. Both are professional poker players and contenders to win the WSOP-2003.

Against the backdrop of the biggest tournament of his life, the main character tries to balance his emotional state in order to win. The movie teaches how to prioritise and shows the importance of controlling oneself.

6. "Croupier"(1998). Rated 7.0 on IMDB.
Jack Manfred is a failed writer. To make ends meet and find inspiration, he takes a job as a croupier in a casino. Gradually, the world of gambling takes the aspiring author more and more tightly. Soon Jack completely dissolves into the nightlife, distances himself from his girlfriend and his familiar surroundings. The film explores not only the psychology of the game, but also the dark sides of the gambling business. Atmosphere is added by the monologues of the main character.

7. "The Sting" (1973). Rated 8.3 on IMDB.
Although "The Sting" is not exclusively about poker, the movie does a great job of portraying con artists using the skill of deception to fool their opponents. The film clearly shows that sometimes the smartest play may not be the one you expected.

The most titled picture on the list - 10 Oscar nominations and 7 wins. "The Sting" is one of the best heist movies ever made.

8. "Deal" (2008). Rated 5.3 on IMDB.
A classic tale of generational change. A former poker champion returns to the game to teach a young poker player the finer points of strategy. The film explores not only the technical aspects of poker, but also the personal relationships of the characters.

One of the main roles starred Shannon Elizabeth - actress and professional poker player. In cameos were noted: Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, Isabelle Mercier, Mike Sexton.

Each of these movies not only grips the viewer with intrigue and suspense at the poker tables, but also offers profound insights into human motivations, aspirations and moral dilemmas, making them an integral part of the poker film heritage.

How to learn to play poker?

Poker movies fit an entire story into 1.5-2 hours. The characters go from the bottom to winning the ME WSOP in the shortest possible time. In fact, high results in poker are the fruit of many years of hard work. Without systematic training, no one can get to the top. One of the best ways to learn how to play poker is to study software. We recommend beginners to work in the equity calculator and get a statistical software.

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The basic version of the tracker is free of charge. It will give you the opportunity to use statistics from the start of your career. For the first paid subscription you can get a 10% discount. Use promo code H2N10NU.

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