9 Best Gambling Movies Worth Placing A Bet On

As depicted in this source, many of the happenings would be impossible in an online European casino. In Robert Rossen’s “The Hustler,” a young Paul Newman plays Fast Eddie Felson, a talented and cocky pool shark who puts it all on the line against Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason, in a rare straight role), the best player in the business. After a hot start, Eddie’s pride gets in his way and the game continues for a grueling 25 hours.

Win It All

This exhilarating film depicts the dark side of excessive gambling and how chasing a big win may not always be the best option. It’s one of the best movies regardless of category from the 1990s, arguably the greatest decade for film. Yes, The Hangover is available on Netflix, along with many other epic gambling and comedy movies. But it’s not a story that ends well for Jimmy and this fascinating documentary shows how far he rose and how fast he fell. It’s well worth seeking it out on YouTube, if nothing else to finally understand a stream of TV and film references you never really understood before. “Mississippi Grind” is a bit divisive, earning a 91% rating from critics and just 55% from audiences.

The Color of Money

Its compelling plot becomes a character study of sorts, and Jack Manfred should by dint of that go down as the single most compelling protagonist to ever be featured in a gambling movie. And that’s hardly scratching the surface of what makes Croupier so great. There are several movies that either feature poker or see the actors play poker. Some of the more famous poker movies are The Cincinnati Kid, Molly’s Game, Rounders and Casino Royale, all of which have poker form some of all of the action in the film.

Netflix Shows

You can always try to find a copy on DVD, but in the age of streaming services, here’s what you need to know. The film was released the same year Johnny Moss won his last WSOP Main Event (1974). It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and while on its face it may seem lighthearted, California Split cuts much https://true-fortune.us/ deeper. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written from Bloom’s perspective, so there may be an expected bias toward her side of the story. If you’re wondering how to watch Mississippi Grind, it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and several streaming options exist, including an HBO Max subscription.

• Some well-received poker films include the western comedy Maverick (1994), Survivor host Jeff Probst’s debut film Finder’s Fee (2001), the improv-inspired The Grand (2007) and indie comedy darling Hitting the Nuts (2010).
• Gambling can encompass poker and other card games, of course, but also sports betting, the lottery, and anything else of that ilk you could muster.
• The movie runs the gamut of things a viewer would expect to find in any great movie on gambling; greed, deception, money, power, and even murder.
• Due to the popularity of bingo, it made its way into several sectors, and the entertainment industry is not an exception.
• There’s no denying this entry as a classic of the gambling movie ilk, and although it hasn’t aged as well as some of its older counterparts, it will forever be remembered for its tangible tone and rock-solid narrative.

ROUNDERS (

But he is about to spend it again when he has a medical emergency and is rushed to a hospital. The movie ends, but although it depicts a happy ending, we need to be reminded that gambling addiction and problem gambling ought to be treated seriously. Netflix is a cultural phenomenon no matter where you stand on password sharing or cheesy documentaries about Tyson Fury, a heavyweight boxer with a distinct charisma. Today, we brush this aside and take a good hard look at the best gambling movies on Netflix, bringing you some of the untold stories that you may want to explore. The debut film by Paul Thomas Anderson, Hard Eight starts off as a free-wheeling film about a casino pro (Philip Baker Hall) and his new protege (John C. Reilly), who start winning big at the casino.

#1: “The Hustler” (

There’s a lot of entertainment to be had when a movie is all about placing bets on horse races, boxing matches, and assorted sports games. And it’s easy to get caught up in the plight of the individuals who find themselves in the crosshairs of the bigwigs that run their own gambling underworld. Rounders tends to stay closer to realistic poker gameplay, but it also embellishes the ability of the protagonist to read opponents and make flawless decisions under pressure. In real-world poker, even the most skilled players face significant uncertainty and must manage risk and incomplete information, aspects that are often underplayed in movies for the sake of a clear hero’s journey.

Kenny Rogers as The Gambler

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon lead a supporting crew that consists of actors like Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, and Elliot Gould. It’s easily the most well-assembled cast any gambling film has to offer, even if all its characters in the end stifle the overall pacing (and realism, for a different time) of the film itself. Along with The Hangover and a select couple of others, Ocean’s Eleven (2001) by Steven Soderbergh is one of the most popular gambling movies ever made. Sure, it’s a heist film as well, but the featured location of said robbery is of course a Las Vegas casino. We should all consider ourselves lucky that these tales didn’t stay in Vegas, as Sin City has produced some of the best and most underrated movies to ever grace the silver screen. Gambling can encompass poker and other card games, of course, but also sports betting, the lottery, and anything else of that ilk you could muster.

Feature List

There are many outstanding ones to choose from, some of which narrowly missed the cut but still deserve some recognition. Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems (2019), Martin Scorsese sports drama The Color of Money (1986), James Caan’s The Gambler (1974), and the underrated Hard Eight (1996) are all excellent films that are worth checking out. But they fell just short of the PokerNews list of top five gambling movies ever created. As part of the slick 30 for 30 ESPN documentary series this episode focuses on pro-bettor and one-time TV commentator James Snyder who was better known as Jimmy The Greek. After arriving in Vegas in the mid-50s he set up one of the first sports tipping lines on the then nascent NFL, which eventually led to him appearing on CBS to make predictions on upcoming games. This is every poker player’s favourite film and one most can quote from endlessly.

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If you are looking for a gripping gambling movie that is based on a true story, then Casino is a must-watch. Clive Owen has been such a familiar, somewhat disappointing, presence in films for the last two decades that it’s now hard to remember what a lightning bolt his arrival was. So go back and rewatch Croupier, where all that promise was laid out fairly magnificently. He’s Jack, an aspiring novelist desperate for money — soon, he’s a croupier getting to know the world of casino gambling.

The Best Gambling Films

A friendship between the two blossoms after a fellow gambler gets angry at them for beating him and taking their money. Leonardo DiCaprio plays poker in “Titanic” (1997), although the poker scene is brief and not central to the movie. Early in the film, Jack Dawson (DiCaprio’s character) wins his ticket aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic in a game of poker. While not solely focused on poker, the movie centers around the game of blackjack, a popular casino card game, and is based on the true story of the MIT Blackjack Team. Some people craved a unique atmosphere of watching movies about casinos.

• And all the performers delivered Sorkin’s world-famous dialogue to a critically acclaimed degree.
• Understanding the machinations of Shaw and Kelly’s plan doesn’t matter — it’s just a delight to watch the characters (and director George Roy Hill) turn The Sting into one big, electric narrative sport.
• It’s important to note, however, that while the film is set in Las Vegas, it doesn’t focus on the first Vegas casino.
• Steven Soderbergh’s use of Las Vegas also turns the city into a character in its own right, creating film magic at its best.
• Things reach a fever pitch once he recklessly gambles away a huge sum of his casino earnings, which proceeds to put his life in danger.
• It offers insights into the psychology behind gambling and the people involved, a topic that fascinates many.
• One night, she gets arrested by the FBI and wrapped up in a high-stakes investigation into her players, some of whom are members of the Russian mob.

The poker is treated with real love and there is even some genuine discussion on pre-internet poker theory, while there are some truly iconic scenes including one involving an Oreo cookie and a bizarre tell. Give it a spin and try and resist opening up an online poker table immediately after it finishes. Our team of experts has gone through each movie, scene by scene, to provide a comprehensive and authentic depiction of casino culture. We have highlighted the crucial elements of casino wit and gameplay nuances to give you an immersive experience. This classic film from Martin Scorsese features an enticing duo in Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci.

Molly’s Game (

Sean Connery lays on the charm at the Craps table in Diamonds Are Forever. But if we’re going to include a Bond film (and how could we not?), it’s gotta be Casino Royale, which features a poker game in which Bond goes head to head with a terrifying villain, Le Chiffre. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, this is The Social Network (2010) of gambling films — which makes sense, as the biographical drama about the founder of Facebook was also written by Sorkin. Here with Molly’s Game (2017), though, the screenwriter took his directorial debut and chronicled the life of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic skier. Directed by John Dahl, this is the only film on the list that has gone down as a true cult classic. It received lukewarm responses from critics upon release, and didn’t even double its $12 million budget when playing in theaters throughout the world.

Even Money (

The gambling in the film is more of a backdrop to Hard Eight’s character study of an assortment of interesting figures. Hard Eight is Paul Thomas Anderson’s directorial debut, showing the early talents of one of the best directors of his generation. Possibly Paul Thomas Anderson’s least known film, Hard Eight tells the story of a veteran gambler who teaches stranger John the tricks of the trade. All goes well until John gets involved with a sex worker named Clementine. This seedy, ’50s gambling noir was the Hollywood debut for actor Charlton Heston, who would go on to star in Planet of the Apes and The Ten Commandments.

The Gambler ( ‍

Thankfully, this list goes through the trouble of finding 30 of them and are required viewing for movie buffs everywhere. The discrepancies between movie portrayals and real gambling do more than just entertain; they shape perceptions. Viewers may come away with distorted views on the ease of beating the house, the prevalence of monumental wins, or the effectiveness of certain gambling strategies. Next time you want to take a break from online gambling and try another form of entertainment, check out some great movies about gambling.

1986 American drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Helen Shaver & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. It is a sequel to the 1961 movie ‘The Hustler’ with a 7/10 rating on IMDb and 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Following Fast, Eddie Felson, a former pool hustler, decides to admit a pupil & return after retirement.

• Tommy is one of the main characters, and he brings an atmosphere of excitement to the audience.
• However, it often simplifies the broader spectrum of gambling psychology, which encompasses a range of behaviours from recreational to problematic.
• Mike, who had quit playing poker, picks up the cards again and is drawn back into the gambling underworld.
• Tepper, the protagonist, finds a lost wallet on the street and he calls the owner to come and pick it up.
• It’s pretty cool seeing the mix, from old-school vibes to the new high-stakes dramas.
• The movie is a great watch both alone and with company, but gambling scenes are few and far between, with most of them bunched up during the latter parts of the film.
• It is also a film that captures the essence of poker and the people who play it.
• Ron Livingston, Maria Bello, and Paul Sorvino play key roles but it is Macy who truly carries this movie that packs a big punch.
• His situation becomes more complicated when he gets entangled in the cheating schemes of another man.

Isaac portrays an ex-military interrogator turned gambler whose haunting past is continually at odds with his present. The world of casinos and the act of counting cards become a part of his new life while trying to prevent a young man from seeking revenge on a mutual enemy. The film takes viewers through the dark underbelly of the casino world, depicting the devastating aftermath of the gamble.

• A 25-year gap between two films in the same franchise usually means it’s a cash-grab, but Paul Newman’s return as Fast Eddie is anything but.
• Chastain and director Aaron Sorkin were nominated for several big awards for “Molly’s Game,” including an Oscar, a BAFTA and two Golden Globes.
• James Bond appears to play a poker game against Le Chiffre, a brilliant, evil genius character.
• The card counting scene is just one of the many highlights in this road trip set in – where else?
• On an annual basis, the town of Laredo, Texas becomes the epicenter for the most important poker game in the state.
• However, that’s not the case in Win It All, where Eddie Garrett, played by Jake Johnson, not only loses an entire bankroll in just a few seconds, but it’s not even his own money to begin with.
• It’s well worth seeking it out on YouTube, if nothing else to finally understand a stream of TV and film references you never really understood before.
• Uncut Gems is one of the few recently made movies to feature on this list.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

• All of those are among the best poker movies of all time, and if this article was “Top 10” instead of “Top 5 Poker Movies,” chances are they’d make the final list.
• If that all sounds a bit deep then it also features some of the best pool scenes recorded on film, some top quality betting action and an effortlessly cool performance from Paul Newman in the lead role.
• He would reprise the role four times, the most recent of which — No Time to Die (2021) by Cari Joji Fukunaga — marked his last appearance in the series.
• Charlie Waters and Bill Denny are gamblers who come together through a mutual appreciation of their hobby.
• In “Uncut Gems,” Adam Sandler takes on a non-comedic role to embody a character consumed by the thrill of gambling.

Richard Dreyfuss plays a cabbie whose friend overhears a conversation about a fixed race in this little-known gem. It also deals with the social distinctions of the track, from the high rollers to the down on their luck. It features a young, sexy Jennifer Tilly – who is better known now for her real-life poker skills – and Teri Garr is terrific as the drunk wife. A must watch for anyone with even a passing interest in horse betting.

On the big screen, casinos are the backdrop for heists, personal journeys, glamorous nights, complex relationships and much more. From star-studded casts to award-winning stories, casino movies have it all. If you’re looking for the best movies about casinos to get ready for the slots and games, we’ve got you covered.