Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a game of skill, luck, and strategy; countless variations can keep things fresh.
But what if you want to watch poker as a spectator? It turns out there are lots of great movies and series that feature poker! Here are seven of our favorites:
Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom. She’s a brilliant mogul skier with top-tier Olympic aspirations. However, an accident during a qualifying run for the Olympics ends her career abruptly.
So, Molly moves to L.A., where she gets a job as a waitress. She later meets Dean, who hires her as his office manager, and she runs his underground poker games. Molly eventually gets fired and begins hosting her own poker games for high-profile individuals. Her players included Hollywood celebrities, business tycoons, Russian mobs, and sports stars.
Molly’s Game film is an excellent inspiration for poker enthusiasts. You’ll learn how Molly Boom took risks, faced them, and ultimately prevailed. The film teaches you the importance of playing your authentic game even when faced with devastating challenges or misfortunes.
Win It All (2017)
Netflix released the Win It All comedy movie in April 2017. Joe Swanberg is a co-writer, director, and editor of this fantabulous poker title. The main cast in this movie are Jake Johnson (he co-wrote the film), Joe Lo Truglio, Aislinn Derbez, and Keegan-Michael Key.
Win It All features the story of Eddie Garrett, a parking attendant at Wrigley Field who suffers from a gambling addiction. One morning, Michael (a thug in prison) offers Eddie $10,000 to keep a duffel bag for six months without opening it. Ed agrees to adhere, but a few days later, he gets curious and opens the bag. He finds different odd objects and a massive sum of money.
Eddie informs his recovery counselor about the cash, but he advises him not to spend it. However, Garrett gambles the money away and ultimately pays the heavy price for his poor choices. Win It All is a great film to and learn the consequences of gambling addiction.
All In: The Poker Movie (2009)
All In: The Poker Movie is an award-winning film that will take you down a great memory lane. It portrays how poker is prevalent in American culture. You’ll see the tremendous growth of poker players and the booming rise of online poker that has been taking place since 2000. In addition, you will learn how games like 3 Card Poker, Texas Hold’em, and Razz have evolved.
Anyone who wants to will find All In: The Poker Movie incredibly valuable. Players and those who wish to refresh their knowledge about the game can learn valuable lessons from it.
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Moreover, All In: The Poker Movie features poker professionals (both old and new) narrating about the changing gambling environment. It also shows how online poker games affected the U.S. government’s Black Friday crackdown. This movie is worth watching if you’re a poker fan and want to learn more about the game’s history.
Croupier (1998)
This epic crime drama film stars Jack Manfred, an aspiring but unsuccessful writer. He accepts a at a local casino to meet his financial needs.
Jack drowns deep in the world of casinos and starts violating the casino policies. The gambler Jani befriends Jack and convinces him to act as the inside man in a casino robbery. He is offered $10,000 in advance plus $10,000 more if everything goes according to plan.
Even after accepting the offer, the robbery backfires, and Jack’s life doesn’t change. Paul Mayersberg did a fantastic job writing the Croupier (1998) movie because he uses human truth and real-life experiences. The plot of this film flows smoothly and features much-unexpected humor.
Rounders (1998)
Rounders is among the top movies every gambler should add to their list. The crime drama film shows what the underground poker scene looks like. Mike McDermott has to play high stakes to aid his best friend in paying some vast debts.
Rounders gives a clear picture of the language and skills poker players need to understand. It also shows the epic underground scenes and offers potent insights into the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
The legacy of Rounders is still felt in the poker world today, thanks to the stellar performances from the cast. Many pros have cited the movie as their top inspiration, creating a long-lasting influence.
Maverick (1994)
Maverick is an excellent film revolving around poker with many humorous and entertaining subplots. The movie stars James Garner, Jodie Foster, and Mel Gibson.
The film follows Bret Maverick, who is on a mission to show he’s the best card player in an upcoming poker tournament. He is short $3,000 off the entry fee, which is $25,000.
So, Bret visits Crystal River town to accumulate poker winnings and to collect on debts. However, during one game, he meets Annabelle Bransford, a young con artist, and an ill-tempered gambler, Angel. Despite winning a massive pot from Angel, Bret is forced to run away without his winnings.
The Maverick film balances gambling and poker excellently, making it a perfect choice for anyone. The movie offers fantastic entertainment value to anyone seeking great comedies with a touch of gambling.
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
The Cincinnati Kid is among the oldest poker films you shouldn’t miss watching. The movie features legends like Ann-Margret, Edward G. Robinson (Howard), and Steve McQueen.
The Cincinnati Kid follows the story of an upcoming poker player as he strives to build a reputable name among the big players. He wins in most matches, and his quest leads him to face Lancey “The Man” Howard, an acclaimed poker player.
The movie features excellent matches and Five Card Stud as the game of choice. The game is unpopular nowadays, but The Cincinnati Kid portrays the rounds tensely and accurately.
Watch Your Favorite Movie Now!
These movies and series feature different poker playing styles and tournament structures. While some are dramatic, others take a lighthearted approach to the game. If you are unfamiliar with any poker films or series, give one of them a chance and see what you think. You may also discover some players and personalities that you find interesting, inspiring, or entertaining.