Poker movies every poker lover should watch!
If you are a Poker fanatic and crave some cards’ action on the screens as well, you simply cannot miss this list of blockbuster poker movies.
Here is our top 8 all-time best poker movies.
1. Cincinnati Kid (1965)
A must watch for the Poker fan or anyone who wants to see a brilliant movie in play.
The movie wins major props for the realistic depiction of the true poker game, and which is the most epic stare down in any movie ever.
The star cast is Steve McQueen playing young Gun, trying to take down the old pro, played by Edward G.
This movie is called the Best Poker movie of all time, so now you get to watch and be the judge!
Best Quote: “It’s about making the wrong move at the right time.”
2. Rounders (1998)
A story of friendship and revenge, where Matt Damon, playing the role of Mike McDermott, is a law student who is a poker player as well but stops playing after losing everything to a Russian Gangster Teddy KGB, played by John Malkovich. Mike returns to the game to help his friend Worm, played by Edward Norton to pay off his debts, and take revenge on the KGB. The climax is all about a no-limit Texas Hold’em heads-up game, played between Mike and KGB and how Mike turns the tables this time by observing KGB’s moves and by identifying his “tells”. The movie is a must watch for anyone, novices and pros alike.
Best Quote: “Listen, here’s the thing. If you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.”
3. Maverick (1994)
The plot is centered around a High Stakes Poker game, based on the television show with the same name. The movie is based on some of the most unrealistic aspects of the game. For example, the odds of a royal flush beating a straight flush in the same hand are similar to you all of a sudden being able to fly! This one is a must-watch for anyone who’s love for the game has The protagonist is Mel Gibson, backed by James Garner & Jodie Foster.
Best Quote: “Well, now, I bring all sorts of plusses to the table. I hardly ever bluff and I never ever cheat.”
4. Molly’s Game (2017)
This true story is about an Olympic-class skier, Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker games for a decade, which included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans as well as the Russian mob. Later she is arrested in the middle of the night by FBI agents. Her criminal lawyer Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) is on her side as he knows there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led the audience to believe. This movie should be seen by any player who wishes to understand the intricacies of the game, and wishes to live the high life of a Vegas strip vicariously.
Best Quote: “I was raised to be a champion. My goal was to win. At what and against whom, those were just details.”
5. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Brad Pitt gives poker lessons in this action-packed movie, where the plot is about robbing three casinos in the glamour and high life of the city of Vegas. The funny sequence between Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan, who teaches poker rules to a group of actors, and George Clooney as Danny Ocean, who wins the game and takes all the money makes this movie an instant classic. The movie was highly successful, with three more franchises now under its belt.
The gameplay against the actors makes this movie worth your while.
Best Quote: “cause the house always wins. Play long enough, you never change the stakes. The house takes you. Unless, when that perfect hand comes along, you bet big, then you take the house.”
6. California Split (1974)
This movie has one of the most famous opening scenes of all time, which is still significant even today. This realistic movie, centered around the life of poker players is an absolute watch for all poker lovers especially the six-minute credit roll, in the beginning, is one that should not be missed. It’s a classic, which also guarantees a fun watch.
Best Quote: “If it takes a watermelon five minutes to water. How long does it take a sweetpea to pee? As long as it takes a pair of dice to crap.”
7. Casino Royale (2006)
When talking about Bond movies, one knows they are always going to be thrilling and action-packed with a whole lot of awesome. In this particular one, Daniel Craig (James Bond) is seen running around town, all the while battling a banker to one of the world’s largest terrorist organizations in a high stakes game. This movie is a perfect combination of the intensity of poker and the style and intensity of a spy thriller. Our 21st century Bond defeating villains on the Poker table is a Trademark that is a hard hand to beat.
Best Quote: “I’m sorry. That last hand… nearly killed me.”
8. Runner Runner (2013)
Runner Runner, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, is a story about a college student who cracks an online poker game and gets busted. He tries and arranges a face-to-face with the person who he thinks cheated him, who turns out to be a sly offshore entrepreneur.
The movie is a good watch for every online poker player, to understand the intricacies of the system and why rules are placed.
Best Quote: “That little voice in the back of your head right now, it’s not conscious, it’s fear.”