Poking on to the Big Screen
It should come as no surprise that many movies on poker exist, with both excellent and awful execution. Still, I’d like to focus on the best poker movies that have ever aired on television. Although players are familiar with films such as Rounders, there are more classics that you may have overlooked throughout the years. Today, there are many movies available that cover everything from Texas Hold’em poker to 7 Card Stud and even 5 Card Draw. Without further ado, let’s delve straight into the list.
Deal
Deal, a 2008 poker film, is one of the most divisive of the bunch. While it is by no means a classic, it is a fine poker film worth viewing if you appreciate the game—Burt Reynolds (Tommy) and Bret Harrison star in the movie (Alex). Tommy, an ex-player, tries to educate young Alex on poker techniques and strategy for him to take on the poker world and make a lot of money. Of course, Tommy expects half of Alex’s winnings in exchange for his lessons and placement in tournaments.
The story is straightforward, and there aren’t many “wow” moments in the film. Still, there are plenty of poker sequences and appearances by Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, and Mike Sexton. Deal was intended for diehard poker fans, which is a good idea, but this can be a difficult demographic to please, which is why the film received little notice and was never considered one of the great poker films.
Molly’s Game
Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed this crime drama, which is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, as told in her memoir, Molly’s Game: A Memoir. My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker, from Hollywood’s Elite to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club. Molly’s journey from skier to poker princess is chronicled in her memoir. Bloom’s life is the story’s basic concept. The film follows her early years in Loveland, Colorado, as a world-class skier who aspires to compete in the Olympics but is sidelined by an injury that ends her career.
Molly subsequently relocates to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of attending law school. She works for a shady character named Strong, who informs her that she would be assisting him with his weekly clandestine poker game. Bloom, who has never played poker before, learns everything she can by watching the games and Googling poker terms. The pupil eventually overtakes the master, and the rest is history.
Rounders
This film is a poker classic and is still regarded as one of the best in the category. Rounders was one of the first films to focus on the current game of poker and the World Series of Poker. The underground poker culture is explored in this film, as young Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is forced to play high stakes poker to help his friend Worm (Ed Norton) pay off some large debts owed to loan sharks. The underground atmosphere and some insight into the WSOP just before the Internet poker boom will appeal to players. Teddy KGB, played by John Malkovich, is a brilliant poker villain. Johnny Chan, a two-time WSOP Main Event champion, is also featured.
Mississippi Grind
The film follows Gerry, a financially stressed poker player who teams up with Curtis, a younger and more charismatic poker player. However, Curtis, who serves as Gerry’s guardian angel, is the same sad individual as Gerry. The two eventually decide to take a road trip through the Southern states to reclaim what Gerry has lost. They might starve if they don’t.
The Grand
Poker movies are rarely comedies, but in Zak Penn’s 2007 film The Grand, he assembled a cast of poker-loving celebrities to participate in a completely improvised mockumentary environment. The dialogue was almost entirely made up on the moment. Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano, David Cross, Jason Alexander, and a slew of other actor’s star in this film about a group of colourful characters competing in The Grand, a Texas Hold’em poker tournament. While the comedy is the focus, the poker play is accurate, with real-life players like Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, and Daniel Negreanu making appearances.
