While poker (or at least variations of it) have been around for centuries one of the biggest reasons this casino game has boomed in popularity over the past few decades is because of pop culture.
Famous TV shows and movie scenes feature iconic poker games, and it has also been the central plot point for many modern films. This shows in much of the merch produced for the shows and films as you see themed clothing, online poker film themes, posters and much more to support the fan base.In this article we look at the top movies and tv shows that feature memorable scenes with poker. Read on to find out what they are!
Red Dead Redemption
Finally, we have to mention the game Red Dead Redemption. You can actually play games of Texas Hold’em as a minigame within this famous title in the Western setting’s saloons and campsites, including towns like Armadillo and Thieves landing or Flatneck Station, Saint Denis and Valentine (depending on if you’re playing the original game or Red Dead Redemption 2). The game is fairly simplistic and doesn’t include many of the features you’d find in the poker games online where you’re up against real players with real money on the line, but it’s still good for killing a little bit of time between missions and you can add to your in-game characters bankroll.
Playing this mini game can add (or subtract if you lose!) from your bankroll in the larger game, with several side quests involving poker.
Casino Royale (2006)
A James Bond film always goes down well at the box office, but the release of Casino Royale in 2006 was certainly a hit, making about $616.5 million worldwide. The highest-grossing James Bond film at the time, it was also the first in the franchise where Daniel Craig took on the role of Bond and was directed by Martin Campbell who had previously directed GoldenEye.
The iconic high stakes poker scene takes place at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. With a $10 million buy-in for this Texas Hold’em tournament, it’s almost certain that only celebrities, professionals and high rollers will be playing – but James Bond and Le Chriffe, a financier in terrorism, make it to the table.
James Bond is tasked with outplaying Le Chiffre (a master in the game and maths), and therefore making it impossible for him to repay his clients. The game of poker makes for a tense scene, with Bond taking risks and making bluffs. The final hand of the game really enhances the suspense, but with Bond having the highest possible hand he wins the game and defeats Le Chiffre.
Friends
The tv show Friends remains one of the most beloved series of all time, but early on it actually features an episode that centres around poker. Aptly- titled “The One with All the Poker” in season one, the plot revolves around all of the main characters including Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, Rachel, Monica and Ross getting together to play a game of poker.
While the less experienced characters (Phebe, Rachel and Monica) get a short lesson from Monica’s Aunt Iris, it’s not enough for them to play particularly well against Joey, Chandler and Ross. During the game though, Rachel begins to improve, and the final hand ends up being between her and Ross.
While Rachel does win by bluffing Ross, some fans think this scene is a metaphor for their relationship and that Ross may have in fact let her win.
Rounders (1998)
Another commercially successful film that brought poker to the masses was Rounders. This drama film stars Matt Damon alongside Edward Norton, with a plt that’s centred around high stakes poker. Matt stars as Mike McDermott, who is a talented poker player who retired after losing all his money to Teddy, a Russian Mobster. Things change though, when Edward Norton – playing as Mike’s childhood friend Lester “Worm” Murphy – is released from prison.
Worm invites Mike back into the world of poker so as to help him settle some existing debts. This features some exciting poker scenes, the penultimate one being where Mike and Teddy have to sit down and play a rematch in a high-stakes showdown. One important move is when Mike discovers Teddy’s tell (an important aspect of poker which helps a player read what the other one’s hand consists of) which helps him win the game.
Rounders has been credited with generating interest in poker (and Texas Hold’em specifically) before the internet boom of the 2000s saw online casinos introduced to the world. The film received mixed reviews and made $22.9 million at the box office; however, it has since become something of a cult classic — especially with poker fans.