Over the previous century, poker has permeated popular culture, particularly on the subject of movement footage. Lengthy earlier than the “Poker Increase”, and even earlier than the World Collection of Poker (WSOP) was a factor, poker had already made its massive display screen debut.
Over the many years, poker followers have been handled to a plethora of poker motion pictures, some good and others not a lot. Some well-received poker movies embody the western comedy Maverick (1994), Survivor host Jeff Probst’s debut movie Finder’s Payment (2001), the improv-inspired The Grand (2007) and indie comedy darling Hitting the Nuts (2010).
And with Useless Cash set for launch September 2024, there’s yet one more poker flick that would finally make it to the record.
High 5 Poker Motion pictures
All of these are among the many finest poker motion pictures of all-time, and if this text was “High 10” as a substitute of “High 5 Poker Motion pictures,” chances are high they’d make the ultimate record. Nevertheless, the PokerNews crew bought collectively, together with enter from social media, to find out the highest 5 must-watch poker motion pictures of all-time.
Observe: We intentionally left off any poker documentaries, of which there are many good ones together with Guess Increase Fold: The Story of On-line Poker (2013), All In: The Poker Film (2009), Child Poker (2015), and No Restrict: A Seek for the American Dream on the Poker Event Path (2006).
Listed here are our prime 5 finest poker motion pictures of all-time you could watch.
#5 – Mississippi Grind (2015)
After the “Poker Increase,” a number of lackluster poker motion pictures have been launched. Gamers and followers have been by no means actually impressed, as a substitute ready for a film that did the sport justice. For a lot of, that got here in 2015 with the discharge of Mississippi Grind, a drama written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and starring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds.
Mississippi Grind facilities on a pair of poker gamers, one a real degenerate and the opposite a bit extra put collectively. The 2 wind up taking a street journey by the South looking for to win a poker fortune. It’s a drama with comedy components, and as Rotten Tomatoes says, it’s “a street film and dependancy drama that transcends every of its well-worn genres.”
Is Mississippi Grind reasonable?
Sure, Mississippi Grind is likely one of the extra reasonable poker motion pictures on the market. In actual fact, that’s certainly one of its strengths. Anybody who’s performed poker can seemingly relate to the characters and conditions through which they discover themselves. There aren’t a number of Hollywood liberties taken, and that tends to be one thing the poker viewers appreciates.
How can I watch Mississippi Grind?
Should you’re questioning how you can watch Mississippi Grind, it’s accessible on DVD, Blu-Ray, and several other streaming choices exist together with it being accessible with an HBO Max subscription.
Mississippi Grind debuts at Sundance Movie Pageant.
#4 – Cincinnati Child (1965)
Not a number of poker movies are iconic, however The Cincinnati Child actually is. Launched in 1965, the film stars legends resembling Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret, and Edward G. Robinson. The movie has a number of nice moments, together with one of many recreation’s all-time biggest traces: “You are good, child, however so long as I am round, you are solely second finest.”
The Cincinnati Child tells the traditional story of an up-and-coming younger gun poker participant working his means as much as tackle the very best participant within the recreation. There’s loads of high-stakes drama within the film, which is simply bolstered by robust characters.
Is The Cincinnati Child reasonable?
Sure, The Cincinnati Child is reasonable for its time interval. That is one other traditional movie, so making use of at this time’s poker requirements to it may not maintain water. Nevertheless, in case you’re prepared to go along with it, the film is a helluva experience. One factor to recollect is that again then no-limit maintain’em wasn’t actually performed, whereas the favored recreation on the time was Stud. Within the case of The Cincinnati Child, it was five-card stud, which suggests one card down and 4 playing cards positioned face up separately with a spherical of betting between every road.
How can I watch The Cincinnati Child?
The Cincinnati Child is out there on DVD, Blu-Ray, and on a number of streaming companies. You possibly can watch The Cincinnati Child with an HBO Max subscription, in any other case, you’ll have to both lease or purchase.
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#3 – Molly’s Sport (2017)
It is one of many extra fashionable poker motion pictures, particularly with the movie being primarily based on a real story. Within the movie, Jessica Chastain narrates the story of Molly Bloom, a champion skier whosuffers a career-ending harm on her street to the Winter Olympics.
Bloom finally strikes to Los Angeles and finds herself internet hosting high-stakes poker video games recreation that pulls the wealthy and well-known from round L.A. Critics cherished the film as a result of it would not have fun or glorify the life-style of a high-stakes gambler, even when it often provides you a way of fantasy for the cash and tradition surrounding that scene.
Is Molly’s Sport reasonable?
The film relies on a e-book of the identical identify, written from Bloom’s perspective, so there could also be an anticipated bias towards her sides of the story. Nevertheless it portrays Bloom’s flaws in an sincere mild.
Aaron Sorkin’s writing does the job of constructing a practical world, and the playing scenes aren’t out of contact. Poker gamers could discover a number of the lingo to be excessive.
How can I watch Molly’s Sport?
California Cut up is out there on DVD, although it’s exhausting to seek out. Nevertheless, you may watch California Cut up on a number of streaming companies.
‘Molly’s Sport’ Overview: The Poker-Themed Movie Does Not Disappoint
#2 – California Cut up (1974)
Earlier than there was Rounders, there was California Cut up. The movie was launched the identical 12 months Johnny Moss gained his final WSOP Fundamental Occasion (1974), It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and whereas on its face it might appear lighthearted, California Cut up cuts a lot deeper.
Roger Ebert’s Chicago Solar-Occasions assessment defined it finest: “On the finish of California Cut up we understand that Altman has made much more than a comedy about playing; he is taken us into an American nightmare, and all of the individuals we met alongside the best way felt real and appeared actual.”
California Cut up, which stars George Segal and Elliott Gould, includes a cameo look by Poker Corridor of Famer Amarillo Slim Preston, affords an intimate take a look at how issues can rapidly devolve when chasing that “massive rating.” Anybody who’s ever sat down in a poker recreation can relate, which is why California Cut up hits so near residence. Belief us, in case you haven’t seen this poker film do your self a favor and watch it!
Is California Cut up reasonable?
Sure, California Cut up affords an acutely correct look contained in the world of playing, which after all consists of numerous poker video games. Not solely that, it does a superb job of taking you on a wild experience alongside the 2 major characters, Invoice Denny (performed by George Segal) and Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould). As a viewer, you’ll attempt to maintain on as you expertise the identical ups and downs whereas the stakes hold getting increased!
How can I watch California Cut up?
California Cut up is out there on DVD, although it’s exhausting to seek out. Nevertheless, you may watch California Cut up on a number of streaming companies.
#1 – Rounders (1998)
The perfect poker film of all time is fairly clear-cut to most. Rounders was launched in 1998, and whereas it didn’t hit massive on the field workplace, it grew to become a kind of cult traditional 5 years later throughout the top of the “Poker Increase.” Screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman have been followers of poker and went to nice lengths to precisely painting each the sport and way of life. It resonates with poker gamers all over the world to at the present time.
The film tells the story of Mike McDermott, performed by Matt Damon, a reformed gambler who will get pulled again into the sport due in no small half to his pal Worm, performed by Edward Norton. John Malkovich, Grethchen Mol, John Turturro, and Martin Landau all performed supporting roles in a well-conceived New York underground poker world.
Is Rounders reasonable?
Sure, one of many main causes poker gamers love Rounders is that it’s an correct portrayal of the sport. From the characters to the motion, every part in Rounders rings true.
How can I watch Rounders?
Rounders is out there on DVD, Blu-Ray, and on a number of streaming companies to both lease or purchase.
Try Rounders enjoyable info right here!
Honourable mentions
Given the excessive calibre of movies on the market all focusing round poker, it was a tricky activity to slender it down to only 5 of the very best poker motion pictures. Listed here are a few our favourites that have been shut to creating the highest 5 and are nonetheless properly price a watch!
On line casino Royale (2006)
Whereas not strictly a poker film, the traditional scene means On line casino Royale has to make the record. The traditional showdown between James Bond, performed by Daniel Craig, and the villainous Le Chiffre, performed by Mads Mikkelsen has had poker gamers fantasising in regards to the taking part in poker for the very highest of stakes — with tens of millions of {dollars} on the road.
Within the movie, Bond heads to Montenegro to play a high-stakes recreation on the On line casino Royale to be able to defeat Le Chiffre, a non-public banker funding terrorists.
Get the Inside Story on THAT James Bond Poker Hand
Is On line casino Royale reasonable?
The query of whether or not On line casino Royale is reasonable or not hinges on the essential scene the place Bond clashes in a four-way all in towards Le Chiffre. We can’t spoiler the small print of the essential hand, solely to say that there’s some…inventive licence taken with the gameplay and the revealing of the palms. Was it a slowroll? We’ll allow you to resolve!
How can I watch On line casino Royale?
As a latest fashionable Bond movie, it is comparatively straightforward to discover a strategy to watch On line casino Royale on-line.
A Massive Hand for the Little Girl (1966)
4 years earlier than the WSOP was even a factor, Warner Brothers launched A Massive Hand for the Little Girl, often known as Massive Deal at Dodge Metropolis. It could be slightly previous for at this time’s poker viewers, however those that don’t thoughts watching a traditional are certain to have enjoyable.
The movie, written by Sidney Carroll and directed by Fielder Prepare dinner, is a comedy western through which a person named Meredith, performed by Henry Fonda, is touring along with his spouse, performed by Joanne Woodward, and kids when he finds himself in a high-stakes poker recreation. He finds himself in over his head and his spouse has to step in, although all is probably not because it appears.
Is A Massive Hand for the Little Girl reasonable?
Billed as “the wildest poker recreation within the west,” the poker featured in A Massive Hand for the Little Girl is reasonable in that it portrays a number of widespread poker motifs resembling degeneracy, excessive stakes, and the con. The “massive hand” that leads to an enormous pot of $20,500 – bear in mind it takes place in 1880, in order that’d be equal to about $550,000 in at this time’s {dollars} – is a number of enjoyable, although at this time’s poker viewers would possibly take situation with the betting.
Whereas gamers at this time are used to desk stakes, there was no such factor within the previous west. It was performed no restrict, and that’s what they meant. Should you couldn’t afford to name a increase, then you definately have been out. Easy as that. We point out that reality because it’s a bit plot level within the film.
How can I watch A Massive Hand for the Little Girl?
There are such a lot of choices to observe motion pictures nowadays, so it’s possible you’ll be questioning how you can watch A Massive Hand for the Little Girl. You possibly can all the time attempt to discover a copy on DVD, however within the day and age of streaming companies right here’s what it’s essential know.
Poker Film Overview: ‘Poker Face’ Screenplay is an Incoherent Mess
Different Poker Motion pictures
When PokerNews took to social media, a number of different poker motion pictures have been talked about by followers.
We’re engaged on the definitive poker film record for an upcoming article…
— PokerNews (@PokerNews)
As such, we thought it’d be worthwhile to share an inventory of poker movies it’s possible you’ll need to watch.
You can even try our High 5 On line casino Motion pictures you MUST watch.
Greatest Poker Film FAQs
What’s the finest poker film of all time?
Though subjective, Rounders (1998) is broadly thought-about the quintessential poker film resulting from its reasonable poker motion, memorable characters and affect on poker tradition throughout the poker increase of the early 2000s.
What’s the Netflix present about poker?
The Netflix present you are seemingly referring to is “Molly’s Sport” (2017), though it is a film somewhat than a collection. It’s a biographical drama primarily based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-class skier who ran probably the most unique high-stakes poker video games in Hollywood.
What poker film relies on actual life?
The poker film primarily based on actual life is “Molly’s Sport” (2017). Primarily based on the e-book of the identical identify, it’s each an attractive poker film and an insightful take a look at the real-life world of underground playing.
What film has a well-known poker scene?
A number of movies have well-known poker scenes, however probably the most well-known is the James Bond movie On line casino Royale (2006) starring Daniel Craig in his first outing as 007. The movie includes a high-stakes Texas Maintain’em poker recreation on the On line casino Royale in Montenegro, the place Bond faces off towards the villain Le Chiffre, performed by Mads Mikkelsen.
What’s the Nineteen Nineties poker film?
The standout poker film from the Nineteen Nineties is “Rounders” (1998). It is thought-about top-of-the-line poker movies of all time and is credited with serving to to popularize Texas Maintain’em throughout the early 2000s poker increase.
What’s the identify of the poker film with Kevin Spacey?
The poker film with Kevin Spacey is “21” (2008). Whereas not solely centered on poker, the film facilities across the recreation of blackjack, a well-liked on line casino card recreation, and relies on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Crew.
What film does Leonardo DiCaprio play poker?
Leonardo DiCaprio performs poker in “Titanic” (1997), though the poker scene is transient and never central to the film. Early within the movie, Jack Dawson (DiCaprio’s character) wins his ticket aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic in a recreation of poker.
What’s the identify of the poker film?
There are a number of motion pictures that both function poker or see the actors play poker. Among the extra well-known poker motion pictures are The Cincinnati Child, Molly’s Sport, Rounders and On line casino Royale, all of which have poker kind a few of all the motion within the movie.
What’s the identify of the poker film with Matt Damon and Edward Norton?
The poker film with Matt Damon and Edward Norton is “Rounders” (1998).
What was the 1970 playing film?
The 1970 playing film you are referring to might be “The Cincinnati Child”.
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