Documentaries and fiction movies about poker

Why are they interesting? Poker movies entertain people with interesting plots and twists, while also making them think of gambling psychology and the complexity of human relationships. They have examples of card dealing and poker lessons. Poker is a whole world full of drama and intrigue, which is incredibly interesting to study through cinema.

Which ones to choose? Connoisseurs of classics will enjoy “The Cincinnati Kid” and “Maverick”, and probably will appreciate Casino Royale. Guy Ritchie’s first film “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels will not leave anyone indifferent. There are also many documentaries to choose from.

12 Fiction Movies about Poker

1. “The Cincinnati Kid”

Year: 1965.

Country: USA.

Director: Norman Jewison.

Actors: Rip Torn, Jeff Corey, Jack Weston, Ann-Margret, Edward G. Robinson, Steve McQueen, Karl Malden, Ron Soble, Emile Genet, Karl Swenson, Milton Selzer, Joan Blondell, Cab Calloway, Tuesday Weld, Theodore Marcus.

One of the best films about poker is undoubtedly “The Cincinnati Kid” (1965). The action takes place in America in the 1930s.

The lead role was played by Steve McQueen. The actor played a young and goal-oriented poker player who, having learned about the arrival of the legendary Lancey Howard in the city, decides to challenge him. A dealer nicknamed the Shooter helps him organize the game. The stakes are high: money, the ambitions of a young talent, the reputation of a recognized professional.

2. “Maverick”

Year of release: 1994.

Country: USA.

Director: Richard Donner.

Actors: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene, Alfred Molina, James Coburn, Dub Taylor, Geoffrey Lewis, Paul L. Smith, Dan Hedaya.

The plot unfolds in the Wild West. The main character, Bret Maverick, played by Mel Gibson, has achieved nothing in life. However, he has a dream of winning a poker tournament. To do this, he needs to find 25 thousand dollars, which is a very significant amount for that time.

Bret has already collected most of it, but he is three thousand short. He has debtors, friends and enemies, as well as a charming companion, beautiful lady portrayed by Jodie Foster, who does not miss the opportunity to steal money from the main character.

Despite all the difficulties, Brat gets to the tournament and wins. However, no one is going to give away the winnings for free, you have to find a way to escape with money and survive.

3. “California Split”

Year of release: 1974.

Country: USA.

Director: Robert Altman.

Actors: George Segal, Elliott Gould, Ann Prentiss, Gwen Wells, Edward Walsh, Joseph Walsh, Bert Remsen, Barbara London, Barbara Ruick, Jay Fletcher.

Luck and happiness do not always come together, an idea that is showcased in this old movie about poker. The main characters, Charlie Waters and Bill Denny, are successful professional players who are often lucky.

However, winnings do not bring them inner satisfaction. Even when they beat the famous Amarillo Slim in one of the most famous casinos in the US, they do not find peace of mind. For them, the process of the game is important, not the result.

4. “High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story”

Year: 2003.

Country: Italy.

Director: Dario Argento.

Actors: Stefania Rocca, Liam Cunningham, Silvio Muccino, Adalberto Maria Merli, Claudio Santamaria, Fiore Argento, Cosimo Fusco, Mia Benedetta, Giovanni Visentin, Claudio Mazzenga.

This is the story of the legendary gambler Stu Ungar. At the age of 14, he became the best of the best on the streets of New York. At the age of 20, Stu had to hide from debts and criminal gangs. In Las Vegas, he received the title of the youngest champion in the history of poker.

However, after a while, luck eludes the player, and he is forced to sit at the poker table again. As a result, Stu won all the championships in which he participated, demonstrating incredible skill and determination.

5. “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”

Year of release: 1998.

Country: Great Britain.

Director: Guy Ritchie.

Actors: Jason Statham, Nick Moran, Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Vinnie Jones, Lenny McLean, P.H. Moriarty, Wes Blackwood, Sting, Frank Harper.

Although there is little poker and cards in this film, the card game runs through the entire plot. One of the main characters must play against a famous card sharper. As a result, he, of course, loses. Now the four friends, including the main character, have to collect 500 thousand pounds in a week.

In the course of this task, new characters appear who are not too interested in helping them. The film is captivating with its dynamic plot and the cool soundtrack in the style of Brit-punk and Brit-pop adds uniqueness to it, leaving any viewer with a great impression.

6. “Lucky You”

Year of release: 2007.

Country: USA, Germany, Australia.

Director: Curtis Hanson.

Actors: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall, Debra Messing, Robert Downey Jr., Horatio Sanz, Jean Smart, Kelvin Han Yee, Michael Shannon, Danny Hoch.

Professional poker is a complex and exciting field that is filled with intrigue and tense moments. The protagonist of this story is a brave and ambitious player who is ready to do anything to win. In his personal life, he shows exceptional attentiveness and prudence.

Striving to win the title of champion at a prestigious poker tournament in 2003, Huck Cheever also sets himself the goal of attracting the attention of the talented singer Billie Offer. However, his own father, a professional player, thwarts the plans of the protagonist. Their rivalry turns into an unpredictable game.

7. “Rounders”

Year of release: 1998.

Country: USA.

Director: John Dahl.

Actors: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, John Turturro, John Malkovich, Famke Janssen, Martin Landau, Ray Iannicelli, Mervyn Goldsmith, Michael Rispoli.

Two bosom friends, Michael and the Worm, are immersed in the world of gambling. Michael, played on screen by Matt Damon, has outstanding intuition, which makes him a real genius at the table.

The Worm, brilliantly played by Edward Norton, is released from prison, where he was serving time for fraud. Having combined their efforts and talents, they strive to prove to everyone that they are the best players, capable of overcoming any difficulties and winning.

8. “Shade”

Year of release: 2002.

Country: USA.

Director: Damian Nieman.

Actors: Stuart Townsend, Thandie Newton, Gabriel Byrne, Sylvester Stallone, Melanie Griffith, Jamie Foxx, Joe Nicolo, Carl Mazzocone Sr., George Tovar, Frank Medrano.

The film tells the story of poker swindlers who operate in Los Angeles gambling establishments. This exciting picture immerses the viewer in the world of adventurers who are ready to risk everything for money.

The plot is full of unexpected twists and a tense atmosphere, reflecting the sophistication of Vernon’s card tricks. The influential gangster and legendary poker player Stevens, who is deceived by professional swindlers, was brilliantly played by Sylvester Stallone, known for the Rocky series and the Rambo franchise.

9. “All in”

Year of release: 2006.

Country: USA.

Director: Nick Vallelonga.

Actors: Dominique Swain, Michael Madsen, Louis Gossett Jr., James Russo, Colleen Porche, Scott White, Michelle Lombardo, Kristen Miller, Christopher Backus, Johann Urb.

Nursing student Alicia Anderson tries to emulate the success of her father, a skilled poker player from whom she inherited talent. Will a woman be able to play at the same level as men? As the plot develops, the viewer will find out whether the main character has learned the lessons that her father passed on to her.

10. “Casino Royale”

Year: 2006.

Country: UK, Czech Republic, USA, Germany, Bahamas.

Director: Nick Vallelonga.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Dominique Swain, Michael Madsen, Louis Gossett Jr., James Russo, Colleen Porche, Scott White, Michelle Lombardo, Kristen Miller, Christopher Backus, Johann Urb.

The very first task assigned to agent 007 is a serious test: he will have to deal with an international terrorist organization whose connections extend all over the world.

Armed with a variety of spy gadgets – from a pistol to a luxury sports car – James Bond fights the main antagonist, a financial genius of the criminal world named Le Chiffre.

However, the bullets are intended only for Le Chiffre’s henchmen: the decisive battle with the criminal can only be won with the help of intelligence, and not on the battlefield, but at the gaming table of the largest casino “Royale”.

11. “Molly’s Game”

Year of release: 2017.

Country: USA.

Genre: biography, drama, crime film.

Director: Aaron Sorkin.

Actors: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O’Dowd, J.C. Mackenzie, Brian D’Arcy James, Bill Camp, Graham Greene (II), Justin Kirk, Angela Gots, Natalie Krill, Madison McKinley, Michael Kostroff.

This film about poker is based on real events. Molly Bloom is a young skier who dreamed of sporting success, but was unable to make it to the Olympic team. Instead of wallowing in disappointment, she decided to organize her own underground poker tournaments.

Thanks to her talent and enterprise, Molly was nicknamed the “Poker Princess”. She was able to create the most prestigious illegal casino in Hollywood. Jessica Chastain’s excellent performance in the movie about poker will allow you to learn a lot about this game.

12. “Poker Face”

Year of release: 2022.

Country: USA.

Genre: action, thriller, crime.

Director: Russell Crowe.

Actors: Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth, RZA, Aden Young, Steve Bastoni, Daniel MacPherson, Brooke Satchwell, Paul Tassone, Matthew Nable, Benedict Hardie.

Russell Crowe is the genius billionaire Jake. The actor, who also directed the film, did a flawless job, and his character appeared before the audience in all his complexity.

Tech billionaire Jake gathers his childhood friends for an exclusive poker tournament, which he organizes at his home.

However, there is more to the game than just entertainment; it is part of a carefully planned strategy aimed at revealing the true nature of each of the participants. The situation becomes critical when burglars break into the house, putting the heroes’ lives at risk.

10 Documentaries About Poker

1. “KidPoker”

Daniel Negreanu is one of the most famous and greatest poker players and the subject of a documentary. The viewer will be taken into the world of high stakes and follow the life of an industry legend.

2. “Bet, Raise, Fold”

This film tells the story of the exciting era of online poker in the 2000s, presenting viewers with the story of its rapid growth and unexpected fall through the prism of a new generation of professional players.

3. “One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stu Ungar”

This documentary tells the story of the life and career of legendary poker player Stu Ungar, whose tragic death in 1998 was caused by serious health problems related to drugs.

4. “For Love or Money? A Poker Documentary”

The film invites viewers on a unique journey into the world of professional poker. You will examine all the intricacies of the industry through the prism of two experienced players, Chris Leong and Stanley Lee, who are striving to conquer the most prestigious tournaments, including the World Series of Poker.

Among the participants in the film are such famous players as Michael Rocco, Tommy Angelo, Asher Conniff, the winner of the 2017 WPT World Championship, and Scott Blumstein, the winner of the 2017 WSOP Main Event.

5. “Poker Queens “

The creators of the film explore the world of female poker professionals, emphasizing their beauty, intelligence and ambitions in this traditionally male business. The film raises the question of why no woman has yet won the largest poker tournament in the world.

6. “Poker Bustouts”

The film offers viewers an ironic look at the world of poker through the prism of former players who openly admit that success in this game is not guaranteed. Comedian Vinny Favarito and other participants of the film share the lessons they learned at the numerous card tables.

7. “Drawing Dead: The Highs & Lows of Online Poker”

The film is a unique look at the history of online poker, you will be able to take the side of a successful poker player and at the same time feel all the hardships and problems inherent in gambling.

8. “National Geographic Underground Poker NYC”

This documentary about poker, filmed by the National Geographic Channel, reveals the nuances of organizing underground games in New York. Viewers will be able to learn how the game is played, how newcomers get into this world. In addition, the film explains the features of competition and demonstrates the mechanisms for making money in illegal casinos.

9. “The Gambler”

The creators of the film invite viewers to immerse themselves in the world of high-stakes tournament poker, where even one day can become a test in which you can lose huge amounts of money. This gripping documentary will explore the real lives of modern gamblers and answer questions about the nature of gambling.

10. “Ultimatebeat: Too Much to Lose”

The film tells the story of an online poker site that has been misleading its users for years. When the site’s scams are finally discovered, the scammers themselves are not arrested or found guilty. At the same time, the victims get back much less than what was stolen from them.

Frequently Asked Questions about Poker Movies

In one of the poker scenes in the movie Casino Royale, James Bond gets a royal flush. How likely is that?

The chances of getting a royal flush in poker are very slim. There are only four combinations in the deck out of almost 2.6 million possible. Moreover, royal flushes are evenly distributed among all possible hands due to the shuffling of the deck, so each of them has an equal chance of being drawn by the player.

What can be learned from poker movies?

Here are some examples:

• From the 1998 movie” Rounders”, you will learn the importance of learning how to read your opponents and apply strategies to the game. The movie shows that even in difficult situations, you can succeed with a high level of skill.

• “Casino Royale” (2006) reveals the importance of mental stability and the ability to analyze opponents’ behavior and body language.
• “Maverick” (1994) points out the importance of meticulous planning and making balanced decisions, even in force majeure situations.

Why are poker movies so popular?

The game of poker and the film industry are two areas where excitement and intrigue are in constant union. Many films are able to introduce viewers to the fascinating world of poker, describing exciting plots, interesting characters and unusual strategies. Even if you are not an experienced player, these popular films can motivate you to win.

Now you know more about poker movies. These works of art not only create an intriguing atmosphere, but also reveal deep human emotions.

The viewer can immerse himself in the complex world of the card game without risking his condition, and also better understand himself and other people. The above poker movies can inspire you, warn you of potential dangers, and teach you some important details.