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How poker has influenced the world of TV & Film

Various entertainment trends have influenced the television and film industries, from games and books to social media and music. One game in particular that has been woven into the plots of many television series and films is poker. 

Poker combines strategy, suspense and psychology, making it a captivating subject for storytellers. Over the years, the game has had a great influence on the world of television and film, providing a basis from which to create many memorable characters, dramatic narratives, and unforgettable cultural moments. 

Millions of people around the world enjoy playing poker, either online or in-person at the casino. This means that large audiences are able to identify with the characters and follow along with the storylines in television shows and films featuring poker gameplay in action. 

In this article, we explore what makes poker so appealing as a topic on screen. We also reflect on some of the most iconic poker moments in film and poker’s appearance on television:

What makes poker so appealing for storytelling on screen?

Poker can be a tense game that combines both chance and skill. It can have unpredictable outcomes with high stakes and tension filled bluffs. This drama can make for very compelling stories. 

The theme of poker can also be used in a metaphorical sense to represent themes such as risk, deception and resilience. Seeing how a character playing poker acts during the game can be a helpful window into their psyche, some are portrayed as being calm and confident while others are nervous and crack under the pressure of the game.

From comedies and romance films to action and adventure, poker has been incorporated in all different genres of film. Here are some of the most iconic poker films and scenes featuring the game:

Rounders (1998)

Perhaps one of the most memorable poker films of all time, Rounders, starring Matt Damon, is an American casino drama film. Matt Damon is cast as a law student named Mike McDermott who decides to quit playing poker after losing his savings to a Russian mobster. However, it isn’t long before he is reintroduced to the game by his ex-convict friend, Worm. 

Worm takes too many risks at the casino and soon builds up a hefty debt in Mike McDermott’s name. Grama, a pimp, buys the debt and gives the pair just five days to find the cash to pay it off.

Mike and Worm must scramble to raise the funds, playing a series of high stakes poker games along the way. Mike eventually ends up being head to head with the Russian mobster from his poker past. While his incredible skill gets him the opportunity to compete in the World Series of Poker tournament, he has to make some tough sacrifices to get there.

While Rounders received some both positive and negative reviews from its critics, it is still thought to be a top film amongst poker enthusiasts and is praised for its accurate portrayal of poker. 

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Released in 2001, Ocean’s Eleven has a very famous cast, starring George Clooney as the protagonist Danny, Brad Pitt as Rusty and Bernie Mac as antagonist Frank Cotton.

The plot follows Danny Ocean as he schemed to rob three different casinos in Las Vegas alongside his associates. In one particularly memorable scene, Rusty Ryan explains the basic rules of poker.

However, after the men lose their stake in a game of poker, they have the idea of breaking into the vault at the Bellagio hotel casino. 

Ocean’s Eleven is a very highly rated film, full of action from start to finish. It was a huge hit in cinemas and was released to video in 2002. There was even a musical adaptation of the film that was performed by Star Troupe in Japan. A Bollywood version was released in 2014 and starred legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan. 

Casino Royale (2006)

Casino Royale was Daniel Craig’s debut as legendary 007 secret agent James Bond. He is tasked with saving the world by defeating the evil villain La Chiffre. Poker takes center stage in this film during a high- takes Texas Hold’em game. 

Bond is able to utilise his superior people-reading skills to turn the table in his favour. The scene’s tension, combined with Bond’s calculated moves and strategic bluffs, represents the glamour and danger associated with the game poker.

While poker is centre stage in this film, in the original novel it is a game of baccarat that’s central to the plot. 

Other high grossing films that use poker in critical parts of the story include, The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Maverick (1994) and Lucky You (2007). While on television, series such as Breaking Bad and The Sopranos”have used poker scenes to develop characters and advance plots, making use of the game’s tension to create drama and conflict.

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