Movies For Poker Players
If we are cut from a similar deck of cards then settling down to watch a poker or gambling movie or documentary is not only entertaining and educational but often inspiring as well.
I am sure many of us have put ourselves in the shoes of the heroes or villains from movies like Rounders or The Cincinnati Kid at one time or another.
Flicks on film that feature poker or gambling are especially exciting and fun for card players due to there the ability to connect with and relate to the subject matter. Movies for poker players can vary over a wide range and gamut of genres and niches.
If you are dreaming of one day loading up the online poker account or have already paid your dues through grinding away with the distinguished, debonaire, desperadoes and degenerates that frequent card rooms, then more than likely a poker-related movie or two has peaked and perked your curiosity.
For card players or gambling aficionados, many movies are a must-watch while others are probably better used as DVD and Blu-Ray shaped Frisbees. Escaping within the lenses of well-directed cameras or living vicariously through a correlated character can be a fantastic way for a poker player to kick back after work, pass the free time, learn something new or channel stress after a few bad beats.
Let’s take a look at the list of movies for poker players that are best suited to the temperament and try to sort through the ones that feel like pocket aces and the ones that feel like 7 2 off suit.
The Top Movies For Poker Players List:
-The Hustler (1961)
Director: Robert Rossen
Writers: Sidney Carroll (screenplay), Robert Rossen (screenplay)
Stars: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason and Piper Laurie
-California Split (1974)
Director: Robert Altman
Writer: Joseph Walsh
Stars: George Segal, Elliott Gould and Ann Prentiss
-Casino (1995)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Nicholas Pileggi (book), Nicholas Pileggi (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
Stars: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci
-Owning Mahowny (2003)
Director: Richard Kwietniowski
Writers: Gary Stephen Ross (book), Maurice Chauvet (screenplay)
Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver and John Hurt
-High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Director: A.W. Vidmer
Writer: A.W. Vidmer
Stars: Michael Imperioli, Renee Faia and Michael Nouri
Other solid notable movies for poker players include “Maverick”, “The Grand”, “A Big Hand for the Little Lady”, “McCabe & Mrs. Miller”, “The Sting, Kaleidoscope”, “Born Yesterday”, “Run”, “Croupier”, “The Gambler”, “The Cooler”, “Casino Royale”, “Ocean’s Eleven”, “21” and “Poker Alice”.
Of course, we do not want to throw away our money away on a hand like deuce seven just like we do not want to invest our cash or time on bad poker movies. Widely considered a waste of viewing space are such titles as “Deal”, “Lucky You”, “All In”, “Atlantic City”, “Bookies”, “Shade”, “The Big Blind”, “Sunset Trail”, “Loaded Pistols”, “No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail”, “Ultimate Poker Babes – Las Vegas Strip Off (up for serious debate)” and “The Card Player”. Although it can be fun to discover a new movie, most of the films just mentioned as avoidable above are not even worth a second look.
The next time you are feeling down on your luck or need a distraction from the real world it might be wise to consider sitting down to a bowl of popcorn and the computer or flat screen and good flick. Even some of the rare, obscure and eclectic online videos for poker players like:
The Micros
Louis Theroux goes to Las Vegas:
Blue Fire Poker and Poker Static’s – A Kid’s Game: The Story of Online Poker
Deuces Cracked – From Busto to Robusto
G4 TV’s Two Months. Two Million. ( http://www.g4tv.com/2m2mm/ )
and the up and coming 918 Films Documentary BOOM: The Incredible True Story of Online Poker
are all great to soak in at least once. The fact of the matter is we all have different tastes and preferences so each person’s top and bottom five watches from the above will probably vary drastically. Freaking variance, what a pest.
No matter what you like or do not like take a look at a few movies from the poker and gambling scene as they just might Royal Flush your fancy. The only thing I request is no butter or sticky candy fingers on the cards please during the home game afterwords.
