There’s a film for nearly something conceivable—and unimaginable. With all of the glitz and glamour that poker has acquired from the mainstream media, poker can’t be an exception, proper? However have you ever ever requested your self which poker films are value watching? Or maybe you’re on the lookout for a listing of films to binge-watch?
The Rounders is the most effective poker film of all time. It wasn’t a field workplace hit, however the poker increase shortly turned it right into a cult hit. You can too add Excessive Curler: The Stu Ungar Story, Sensible Cash, The Cincinnati Child, Finder’s Charge, and Maverick on the record of poker films that you must watch.
That is the record of poker films it is best to watch at the least as soon as. Some extra motion based mostly, different a documentary, and a few that present an actual image of poker.
There are dozens of poker films that you could select from, however we’ll present you those it’s worthwhile to see at the least as soon as. You could have seen most of them, however we assure that you simply’re in for a deal with should you embody all of those in your “Watch Later” record!
Deal is a 2008 poker drama that follows the story of Tommy Vinson (performed by Burt Reynolds), a former poker participant who’s seen nice potential in a hot-shot regulation pupil, Alex Stillman (performed by Bret Harrison).
Trailer:
After Alex loses the ultimate desk, Tommy decides to mentor and educate him the basics of poker, together with tells and studying gamers. Regardless of being worthwhile on the tables, each had obstacles to maintain enjoying: Tommy along with his spouse and Alex along with his dad and mom. The climax of the film is a fictional World Poker Tour championship the place Tommy and Alex confronted one another on the ultimate desk.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
One of many causes we determined to incorporate this on the record of the most effective poker films of all-time is as a result of it talks in regards to the fundamentals of enjoying poker. An expert poker participant, on a mission to show somebody who has distinctive expertise. That’s one thing anybody can relate to, and the film takes it a step additional with a WPT championship.
Positive, getting higher at poker can by no means be that quick, however something can occur in a film. What makes it nice is that it was in a position to convey poker’s fundamentals in essentially the most entertaining manner doable.
Deal has acquired an IMDb ranking of 5.4/10, which is an ideal instance of an undervalued film. Deal is a film with its ebbs and flows however will stay among the best poker films for amateurs and professionals.
Fortunate You is a 2007 poker drama that revolves across the story of Huck Cheever (performed by Eric Bana), a younger, gifted Las Vegas poker participant, and his estranged father, L.C. Cheever (performed by Robert Duvali), a two-time WSOP Champion.
Fortunate You
$10,000 is the one factor that stops Huck from taking part within the WSOP Most important Occasion, and he’s keen to undergo nice lengths to boost the cash. He ended up making $10,000 in a single night time of enjoying poker to enter the event. Huck confronted his estranged father within the ultimate desk with one other participant, Jason Keyes (performed by Evan Jones).
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Fortunate You is a poker film that has all the pieces that you simply’re on the lookout for: mortgage sharks, estranged relationships, letdowns, and even a reference to Chris Moneymaker‘s monumental win on the 2003 WSOP, which is likely one of the occasions that triggered the poker increase. It’s a fictional story however takes you to a joyride of what it takes for somebody to win the WSOP and their journey to fame.
The film solely has an IMDb ranking of 5.9/10, which may very well be due to the slow-paced storytelling that will get boring and predictable. The story revolves round estranged relationships and the way poker fastened it. So, it’s not a film that might catch the curiosity of common moviegoers, however will all the time be successful for each poker fanatic.
The Grand is a 2007 comedy poker film that goes manner past something conceivable in poker. The story follows Jack Faro (performed by Woody Harrelson), a recovering drug addict, a mismanaging on line casino proprietor, and a serial husband married 74 instances.
The Grand consists of fairly some well-known poker gamers.
Jack Faro enters a poker event to win the $10 million prize that he’ll use to pay for a mortgage to maintain his household’s on line casino open. After going by way of 74 marriages and working down Rabbit’s Foot, the on line casino that his grandfather constructed, he’s left and not using a selection however to beat the world’s finest poker gamers. Will he have the ability to use poker to get better all the pieces he misplaced and discover his spouse #75 within the course of?
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
The Grand is a show of comedian ingenuity. We discover ourselves laughing more often than not, nevertheless it didn’t fail to ship the message that poker is likely one of the finest video games on this planet. It’s an important poker film for amateurs and professionals, nevertheless it doesn’t overdramatize poker, one thing that many poker films are responsible of doing.
Another excuse is that this is likely one of the few films that embody skilled poker gamers like Phil Gordon, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Antonio Esfandiari. It has an IMDb ranking of 6/10, with combined reactions from critics. Nonetheless, the ingenuity of this movie and comedic jabs are two the explanation why poker gamers ought to watch it at the least as soon as!
Stu Ungar was among the best poker gamers ever. His show of ingenuity and unimaginable card studying expertise made him one of the harmful gamers on the felt. Nonetheless, his profession as a poker participant was lower brief due to drug dependancy and a collection of unlucky occasions.
Stu Ungar
All through Stuey’s brief profession, he turned one of many solely two gamers on this planet to win the WSOP Most important Occasion thrice. He’s additionally the one participant to win the Amarillo Slim’s Tremendous Bowl of Poker thrice. Regardless of all of those, he had an obsessive habits that places him in debt with the mob.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Stuey will stay one of many legends of poker, and, actually, going by way of his life as a teenage prodigy till the time he gained his third WSOP Most important Occasion is one thing that each poker participant ought to watch. It’s a no shock he made it to our record of finest poker gamers ever.
It’s a tragic story that ends with Stuey leaving a motel room with a stranger (a illustration of the Grim Reaper). Nonetheless, it additionally reveals us the devils behind the glitz and glamour of poker.
The film has an IMDb ranking of 6.1/10, which is first rate, nevertheless it deserves extra. Should you’re solely beginning your profession as an expert poker participant, Excessive Curler: The Stu Ungar Story is likely one of the finest films that it is best to add in your “Watch Record.”
Shade is a 2003 crime thriller poker film that follows three con artists cashing in on card video games utilizing a “card mechanic” named Vernon (performed by Stuart Townsend). They created an elaborate plan to defeat the legend of poker named “The Dean” (performed by Sylvester Stallone).
Shade – Trailer
One of many oldest types of dishonest in 5 Card Stud is the premise of the film. The cons have been attempting to arrange The Dean to play towards Vernon to money in on their most important enterprise.
Nonetheless, similar to any poker sport, issues don’t all the time go as deliberate. Will they achieve organising the legendary card sharp, or will it backfire?
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
5 Card Stud is likely one of the hottest underground poker video games globally, however many aren’t conscious of its guidelines. Furthermore, many gained’t even have the ability to inform the distinction between 5 Card Draw and 5 Card Stud. The film conveyed the gameplay, together with its weaknesses, with out boring moments of dialogue and gradual storytelling. It’s one of the entertaining poker movies that deal with poker outdoors the mainstream Maintain’em format.
The film has an IMDb ranking of 6.3/10, which we expect is kind of low for all the pieces that it has. Twists after twists will maintain you on the sting of your seat, nevertheless it acquired combined opinions from critics. Should you’re on the lookout for a wonderful poker film that might have gone below your radar, Shade could be it.
On line casino Royale is a film adaptation of Ian Fleming’s 1953 James Bond novel of the identical title. The story occurred when James Bond was solely beginning his profession as Agent 007. He was assigned to bankrupt a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre, in a sport of extremely high-stakes poker.
On line casino Royale
In his mission, James Bond met Vesper Lynd, a British Treasury agent assigned to guard the $10,000,000 million buy-in. Whereas on the mission, Bond falls in love with Lynd, however will it have an effect on his deducing expertise to beat Le Chiffre? Does Bond have the suitable expertise—and funding—to perform the mission and cease Le Chiffre from funding terrorist organizations?
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
On line casino Royale might be one of the well-liked poker films of all time, and it might be a disservice to not embody it on this record. It’s a James Bond film with a powerful following, even people who find themselves clueless with poker. Nonetheless, it was in a position to maintain the stability between protecting it entertaining and conveying that poker will all the time be unpredictable.
The film has an IMDb ranking of 8/10—the best ranking on this record. Nonetheless, should you’re already aware of poker and on the lookout for one thing that will probably be entertaining and academic for you on the similar time, it’s in all probability not one thing that it is best to watch. Plus, it has gained a lot traction with $616,501,619 earnings worldwide that you simply, almost definitely, have already watched it.
Finder’s Charge is an indie movie that takes a distinct path than most poker films. The story is about Tepper (performed by Erik Palladino), a younger man who discovered a pockets with a profitable lottery ticket inside. Tepper contacted the proprietor to retrieve it that very same night time.
Finder’s Charge
Tepper and his pals are having common poker nights, nevertheless it’s totally different this time. Each participant ought to use their bought lottery ticket as their ante, and the winner will get any prize that comes with it. When the proprietor of the pockets arrived at Tepper’s place, he came upon that one of many pot’s tickets was the profitable ticket. So, he decides to hitch the sport to get again his prize.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
In contrast to most poker films that revolve round mobs, mortgage sharks, dependancy, and estranged relationships, Finder’s Charge has an unorthodox strategy to enjoying poker. The entire story occurs in a single night time, and solely between pals. It’s a narrative that many individuals can relate to, except for the profitable lottery ticket.
The plot might sound predictable, however you’re in for a deal with whereas watching the Finder’s Charge. It has an IMDb ranking of 6.4/10, which we really feel makes it undervalued. Nonetheless, it’s a narrative that anybody can relate to, and it’ll maintain you in your seats all through the movie!
All In: The Poker Film is an aptly named documentary by filmmaker Douglas Tirola. It’s not the identical as the opposite movies on this record as a result of it goes by way of the components that made poker a preferred sport. It additionally solutions why many individuals take into account it among the best methods to chase the American Dream.
All In: The Poker Film is a documentary about poker.
Poker is likely one of the oldest video games in America and has suffered a steep decline. Nonetheless, there’s one thing in regards to the sport that triggered its renaissance. It turned so well-liked that it’s onerous to search out somebody who’s not aware of the sport.
Nearly everybody has heard about poker, however this documentary will undergo all the main points that made it the sport all of us love.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Should you’re solely beginning your profession as a poker participant, this film is one thing that you must watch. It covers all the pieces it’s worthwhile to learn about poker, together with historical past, the rise and fall of poker, and each purpose why it turned so well-liked. If there’s one movie that you must watch to be taught all the pieces about poker, it’s All In: The Poker Film.
The documentary has an IMDb ranking of 6.7/10, placing it on the identical stage as a number of the finest documentaries. There are a lot of issues that you simply’ll be taught from this movie, and it’s the one which we’d advocate to anybody who desires to grasp the rationale behind poker.
The Nice Despair is likely one of the worst financial depressions on this planet, nevertheless it created among the best poker films of all time. Sensible Cash follows the story of a poker participant who used his bankroll to construct underground casinos that creates an excellent enjoying discipline for the elites and commoners.
Sensible Cash
Nick the Barber was the most effective poker participant in his city, and he gave the massive metropolis a shot. He skilled consecutive victories in poker, together with the rumored $300,000 win that made Nick the king of unlawful playing within the metropolis. Even after getting caught, Nick made a guess that he will probably be out in 5 years, as a substitute of serving his ten-year jail sentence.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
The well timed launch of Sensible Cash is likely one of the causes it’s an important poker film. It wouldn’t be so spectacular if Warner Bros. launched it earlier than or after the Nice Despair. Nonetheless, it’s proper within the midst of all of the chaos, and it talks about a mean one who’s beating the system simply by being an important poker participant. It was additionally when enjoying poker as an expert isn’t even a factor.
The ingenuity of the film is likely one of the the explanation why it acquired an IMDb ranking of 6.9/10. This film was lengthy earlier than the poker increase, nevertheless it was in a position to painting how poker can change somebody’s life. Should you’re into classics, this 1931 poker movie is one thing it is best to watch at the least as soon as!
California Cut up is a film that’s fairly forward of its time. It was the primary film to make use of an eight-track stereo sound, and till at this time, many individuals nonetheless take into account it the most effective playing film.
The story doesn’t solely contain enjoying poker but in addition different video games in a on line casino like roulette, blackjack, and craps. Invoice Denny (performed by George Segal) and Charlie Waters (performed by Elliott Gould) cut up the $82,000 winnings and go their separate methods.
California Cut up
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
All of us have the notion that gamblers are degens, however this film took a distinct strategy. It reveals you what a degen life seems like, then helps you to determine if it’s the approach to life for you. Degen way of life is loopy and enjoyable, however it may be taxing even for those who’re cashing in on playing. So, is a degen life best for you? Watch the movie and determine for your self, there’ll be no judgments about your selection!
The film has an IMDb ranking of seven.2/10, which is what we expect it deserves. It wants a refresh, nevertheless it has a distinct tackle what the general public thinks about playing. It reveals each side, then makes it straightforward so that you can select which facet of the cut up you wish to take.
The Cincinnati Child is one other film, set throughout the Nice Despair. It follows the story of Eric “The Child” Stoner, who’s on a journey to develop into the most effective poker participant. His solely impediment to fame is Lancey “The Man” Howard, who is taken into account by many to be the most effective. You could have already observed the symbolism, but when not, the plot is “The Child,” attempting to beat “The Man” to take the throne and simply cease being the child.
The Cincinnati Child
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
On the floor, The Cincinnati Child seems like one other poker film. Generally, it feels unrealistic in at this time’s commonplace. Nonetheless, it has the closest portrait within the lifetime of an expert poker participant. Should you’re solely beginning your profession, it’s one of many films that may offer you a view of what lies forward; the strain and willingness to enhance and beat a extra skilled participant.
It has an IMDb ranking of seven.3/10, making it a masterpiece. Add that to the truth that this film was when enjoying poker wasn’t even a rewarding profession. Should you can let cross the unrealistic depiction of poker on this film, then it’s one which we extremely advocate that you simply watch.
Molly’s Recreation is the newcomer on this record, nevertheless it gained a variety of traction due to the life lesson that it carries all through the film. The story follows the journey of Molly Bloom, a real-life aspiring Olympic skier, who repeatedly suffered the ups and downs of life. She later found the massive cash she will make by organizing excessive stakes poker video games.
Molly’s Recreation
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
All through the movie, you’ll expertise the challenges that Molly Bloom needed to undergo, from dropping her dream of turning into a world-class skier to her arrest attributable to unlawful playing operations. She by no means let life knock her down, and ultimately, she walked away with solely 200 hours of neighborhood service, one-year probation, and a $200,000 fantastic.
It’s not a movie that follows the actions that occur on the poker desk, however the cash that the sport can carry. It has an IMDb ranking of seven.4/10, which is well-deserved for this movie. Many poker gamers, particularly professionals, will discover inspiration on this film as a result of getting higher at this sport will take endurance and persistence.
Luna’s Recreation is a film that tells a narrative about being an expert poker participant, even earlier than enjoying poker was cool. It additionally goes by way of the query of what makes a poker participant nice: nature or nurture?
Luna’s father is an expert poker participant who was murdered by a mortgage shark. Regardless of her detrimental expertise with poker, she was pulled into it as a result of it’s in her blood. Will she undergo the identical destiny as her father?
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Luna’s Recreation is, maybe, one of the correct depictions of a poker participant. Many people really feel we’re incomplete with out poker, and regardless of the dangers, it makes us really feel alive. It’s the premise of Luna’s Recreation, and one of many causes we expect it’s a wonderful poker film.
This film solely has an IMDb ranking of 6/10, which is kind of an understatement with its storyline. There are a lot of poker films, however nearly all of them discuss in regards to the glitz and glamour of enjoying it, together with the hundreds of thousands that you could win. Luna’s Recreation takes a distinct strategy with a personality who hates the sport however can’t do something to desert it.
Maverick was a movie adaptation of a TV collection within the Fifties when 5 Card Draw tournaments have been nonetheless a factor. It follows a con artist’s journey to gather cash from others to boost sufficient to enter a high-stakes 5 Card Draw event. The film goes by way of betrayal after betrayal and all the pieces {that a} man will do for a shot on the poker tables.
Maverick
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Now we have this film excessive on the record as a result of it sends you again in an period when there are not any Maintain’em tournaments. It’s a traditional that reveals you the thrills of an previous poker variation that we nonetheless play till at this time. Another excuse is that it has a practical strategy to a participant’s life, which stays related to this present day.
Maverick has an IMDb ranking of seven/10, which is kind of low for the storyline that it has for its time. We expect it wants a refresh to make it a bit extra related at this time, however should you’re on the lookout for a traditional poker film that you could watch, Maverick ought to be on the highest of your record.
There are a lot of debates and disagreements in poker, but when there’s one factor that poker gamers agree, it’s that Rounders is the most effective poker film of all time.
The story follows Mike McDermott (performed by Matt Damon), who’s a reformed gambler. He’s again to the desk as a result of his good friend requested for his assist to repay a mortgage shark. After that, nothing stopped him from desirous to be the most effective poker participant.
Rounders is the most effective poker film.
What Makes It One of many Greatest Poker Films?
Rounders isn’t nice as a result of Matt Damon was in his early profession, no. It’s the most effective poker film as a result of it didn’t undergo the method of explaining what poker is to the viewers. The storytelling was so clean that it didn’t even cease to elucidate what is occurring on the desk. All that issues for this film to make sense is that Mike McDermott desires to be the most effective.
It has an IMDb ranking of seven.3/10, most of which solely got here after the poker increase. When it was launched, nearly no one paid consideration. When the poker renaissance began, it turned an prompt cult hit and can go down as among the best poker films of all-time.
Conclusion
Poker turned so well-liked that most of the movies launched within the mid-2000s have been in regards to the sport. Curiously, most of what we take into account as the most effective poker films at this time have been from the 90s—a time when enjoying on-line poker wasn’t even doable.
Nice poker films don’t all the time discuss in regards to the glitz and glamour of enjoying poker. Actually, those that we’ve on this record are films that depict the lives of gamers and the challenges they face once they’re off the poker desk.
