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Many movies made about gambling interestingly carry similar plots and are often made on shoestring budgets. This is probably why only two of them have won Oscars, and only one has made it to the National Film registry.
Well, whatever the case, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some gambling-themed crackers that will blow you away as you munch some popcorn from your couch at home. So, if this genre of movies is your thing or you enjoy gambling on sites like vegas casino, here are the top-ten titles you should give a whirl:
Molly’s Game (2017)
Molly’s Game is a depiction of true events following Molly as she goes from an Olympic-level skier to a hostess of one of the most exclusive poker clubs in the world. The movie bounces back and forth in time to show the time between Molly’s arrest by the FBI for running the illegal underground poker ring and when she’s trying to convince a hotshot New York Lawyer, Charlie Jaffey (acted by the brilliant Idris Elba) to represent her.
Uncut Gems (2019)
The film tells the story of Howard (Adam Sandler), a man set in his ways, who happens to be the luckiest chap on the planet despite his obviously bad choices. As a jewelry store owner, Howard continuously feeds on his large gambling appetite but must precariously balance his business, foes, and addiction. All that is tangled in Howard’s ultimate pursuit of a high-stakes win that could mean life or death.
The Gambler (1974)
While Axe Freed (James Caan) may look like your regular New York City English professor, there is nothing quite normal about his life. He is in a losing battle with a severe gambling addiction that threatens to ultimately destroy his life, with the loan sharks circling once he starts accruing debts due to his addiction.
Through Axel Freed’s experience, we get to somewhat empathize with his troubles. But then again, the flick does a brilliant job of avoiding glamorizing its troubled lead protagonist as so many of the films in this genre sometimes do.
21 (2008)
Inspired by actual events and people, 21 follows a cohort of MIT math students under the guidance of avant-garde professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey) as they attempt to beat the house. The team ultimately makes away with $640,000 from Planet Vegas’ Hollywood Casino before a high-octane chase ensues.
The Hustler (1961)
Eddie Felson, popularly known as ‘Fast Eddie,’ is a small-time pool hustler with an enormous ego that ultimately lands him in trouble. He challenges the legendary Minnesota Fats to a legendary match and loses.
This film is an absolute masterpiece that depicts problem gambling in literary form and looks at other aspects of day-to-day life, like loyalty, greed, self-respect, and pride, just to mention a few. Selected for preservation by the US National Film Registry, the Hustler is a historical and cultural masterpiece whose effect on society is still felt over half a century after it was filmed.
Casino (1995)
Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film follows Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein (Robert De Niro) as he takes over the reins of the mob-owned Tangiers casino. Although he was initially successful, he eventually faces a series of obstacles from his unpredictable strongman, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-spouse Ginger (Sharon Stone), and her former hustling partner Lester Diamond (James Wood). The movie is an acclaimed gangster epic that, at times, features graphic scenes portraying the severity of the criminal gambling underworld.
The Cooler (2003)
As a timid, nervous man, William H. Macy aced his role as the ‘cooler.’ He is a lonely single guy called Barney, who a famous Las Vegas casino sends on a mission to bring misfortune and bad luck to his fellow gamblers, hence his name. His job is impeccable, and his bosses always seem happy with his effect on the game. That is until he meets his girlfriend, Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello), who begins affecting the quality of his work.
Croupier (1999)
Croupier follows the life of Jack Manfred, an unsuccessful writer who is a dealer at a local casino. He is approached by a punter who is down on her luck and is planning to defraud the house. The story then follows his struggles as he tries to resist the allure of fast riches and gets pulled deep into the never-ending abyss of casino fraud.
Casino Royale (2006)
In perhaps the most famous gambling movie of all time, Daniel Craig makes his debut as Agent 007, James Bond, in the Casino Royale movie. The film unfolds as the lead takes part in a high-stakes Texas Hold’Em poker tournament pitting him against the main protagonist, Mads Mikkelsen, who also happens to be a wanted international criminal.
The Card Counter (2021)
Oscar Isaac stars in the Card Counter as William Tell, a former serviceman involved in a dangerous con of card counting. It features elements of trauma from William’s dark past and a well-drawn-up ploy that takes place during a World Series of Poker (WSOP) game.
Honorable Mentions
Besides these ten, there are so many other noteworthy gambling movies that we haven’t mentioned but would definitely tickle your fancy. So, here is a list of some classics you should certainly watch as well when you get the time:
- The Sting (1974);
- Pale Flower (1964);
- The Cincinnati Kid (1965);
- Wake in Fright (1971);
- Rain Man (1988);
- Rounders (1998);
- Ocean’s 11 (2001).
As you can see, there is plenty of gambling movie options to watch. It doesn’t matter, whether you are an experienced gambler or a newbie – everyone can find something to their taste. Some of these movies are just fun to binge, and others can give you some valuable lessons about the gambling industry. Overall, you should give these top 10 gambling movies a chance for sure!