Skip to content
Few activities can hold as much drama and danger in modern cinema as that of a high-stakes game of poker. And similarly, the glamorous world of the casino has provided rich pickings for many film directors. So here’s a quick look back over some of the most iconic gambling scenes in modern cinema.
Casino Royale
If you’re looking for the true pinnacle of glamour and danger at the casinos, then surely there’s no better example than 2006’s Casino Royale. This saw Daniel Craig in his prime as the suave spy attempting to take down the none-more-sinister villain Le Chiffre in a high-stakes game of poker at the luxurious Casino Royale in Montenegro.
Not only did the scene provide a deeply iconic moment as a single tear of blood rolled down Le Chiffre’s cheek as the game went against him, but the film did much to cement Craig’s reputation as possibly the best Bond yet.
Rounders
One thing that movie-makers often struggle with when trying to document a particularly gripping game of poker, is trying to convey a sense of realism amidst the drama. This primarily because most of the drama takes place in the players’ heads, which is why the 1998 film Rounders stands out as being one of Matt Damon’s most iconic performances.
The final climactic scene between Damon’s character and the villain Teddy KGB provides a timely reminder of the skill necessary to play the seemingly simple game of poker. Thankfully there are now a more opportunities than ever to try your hand at poker at the range of online casino sites such as LadyLucks that also feature the latest in mobile slot technology without any of the Hollywood drama.
The Sting
However, when it comes down to it, the oldies are still the best. And there’s no better example of this than with the iconic 1973 film The Sting. Not only did The Sting become an instant critical hit and win an incredible seven Academy Awards, but it set a new standard for the familiar crime caper comedy.
Pivotal to the film’s success was the highly-enjoyable poker scene aboard a train that saw characters played by Robert Shaw and Paul Newman try and cheat their way to high-stakes glory, and proved that even if you don’t win, poker is the ultimate test of competitive psychology.