If you ever go out for a movie, it’s probably best you avoid going with a gambler. You will never hear the end of it if the film gets a small detail incorrect – even if they have clearly been put in for dramatic effect.
For example, Molly’s Game was one of the most anticipated films based on gambling since Rounders when it came out a few years ago. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop the Twitter brigade from going crazy with complaints.
So, with this in mind, to satisfy even the most rigid of gamblers (you’d think that this wouldn’t make sense, yet it does), here are some of the most realistic gambling scenes in Movies.
Of course, look away now if you don’t like spoilers.
ROUNDERS (1998)
When people think of a gambling film, Rounders is one of the first that comes to mind. But it comes as little surprise – the movie is awesome. Now, while the plot about how Matt Damon plays as a law student with a hunger to be the best poker player in the world may be a bit farfetched, the final poker hand between him and Teddy KGB is actually quite realistic.
Mike baits Teddy into thinking that he’s weak, tricking him into betting all of the money, while he actually has the best possible hand.
CALIFORNIA SPLIT (1974)
This is another great movie about gambling that actually has a realistic gambling scene in it. – although it’s quite depressing. While it’s a bit hard to understand, the most important thing is that it represented what a poker hand could actually be like, rather than what Mark Wahlberg was doing in his Gambler remake.
California Split shows that many gamblers lose in more ways than just with money. The message is deep and the gambling makes sense – what more do you want?
THE COOLER (2003)
Not much to say on this one. Alec Baldwin and Shawn Hatosy play father and son in a dark movie about a huge loser and how classic gangster Vegas went corporate. It’s a great watch nevertheless and has a realistic gambling scene – simple but effective.
TOMBSTONE (1993)
When Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp was totally ignored when Kurt Russell took charge, there was not a dry eye in sight. Further still, Val Kilmer ended up being the coolest person in history.
For anyone wanting to know how to unite the people of the United States, simply get everyone to admit that Kilmer’s Doc Holliday is the greatest. You probably won’t even have to try very hard to convince them otherwise.
The greatest movie review of all time came from a guy that was actually related to the bad guys in this movie. They said something along the lines of “they slurred my family’s good name, but I have to admit that movie kicked all kinds of a*s.”
In reality, Ebert and Siskel are not too different from Beavis and Butthead.
The great scene here is at a Faro game run by the Earp’s, specifically when Doc shows up Johnny Ringo by replicating every move his rival makes with a gun while completely drunk. Kurt has a shotgun locked and loaded under the table just in case. He never needs to fire though.
In their own words, “I’m afraid the strain was more than he could bear. Oh, I wasn’t quite as sick as I made out.”
STRIPES (1981)
Stripes is a very underrated movie. It has a pretty dedicated following so be prepared to take some heat if you don’t think it’s the greatest movie ever made. To be fair, Bill Murray comes into his own and has several hilarious moments. If Stanley Kubrick was still alive, God rest his soul, he would have to admit that Full Metal Jacket was based off this movie.
There is one particular scene that you may not expect to make the list but it’s more than worthy of its spot. Dewey Oxburger is one hell of a fighter, but he is arguably an even better, smarter poker player.
As mentioned by OnlineCasinoGems, the first thing you know should know about poker and online gambling: give yourself the best shot at winning by playing against the dumbest person you can find at the tables.
As they say in the movie:
“If it were me I’d bet everything, but that’s me. I’m an aggressive gambler, Mr. Vegas!”
“Well you lose you see. If you would have had four fours you would have won! … You’re getting good at this! Isn’t this fun?”
HARD 8 (1996)
Phillip Seymour Hoffman was one of Paul Andreson’s go-to guys from the moment he stepped into Hollywood. In his debut film Hard 8, he, along with fellow favorite Phillip Baker Hall, did not disappoint.
What a cast it was: Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, the list goes on. While, sadly, we will never see Hoffman perform again, he was awesome in this movie – even though out of all these names, he appeared the least.
The best gambling scene is when both Phillips play craps; the ice-cold old-style gambler coming up against the young annoying dude thinking he’s the bee’s knees. In this spot though, the old-timer finds the young gun’s weakness and puts down a $2,000 bet just to show who’s the captain of this table. If you’ve ever been the Vegas, this happens quite a bit when party-goers interrupt a session with their drunk and disorderliness.
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (1964)
Having Wilfred Brambell as Sir Paul McCartney’s “clean” grandfather is a very well set up joke and the result is endless amusement. Turns out, he’s actually a lunatic, stealing Ringo Starr’s invite to the gambling hall.
However, while as crazy as he may be, he ends up winning at baccarat, despite not having a clue how to play and not having any money to play with in the first place. Sound familiar? Of course it does. It sounds just like that guy at the table that seems to always get lucky! Must be nice, but we’re not bitter at all…
