Three Amazing Poker Movies that Will Make You Want to Play

Poker is a fast-paced, high-intensity, and high-octane game. The poster child for adrenaline-fuelled entertainment, it has long been used as a device in Hollywood, to highlight the tension between characters and imbue them with a maverick sense of derring-do.

As a cinematic tool, it works in a way that few other games or forms of entertainment can, ensuring that the audience is on the edge of their seats anytime it plays out onscreen, and as a natural consequence, it has become the key focus for many a major hit.

Here are three of the best poker movies out there for those who fancy a truly thrilling film for their next Friday-night flick.

Rounders (1998)

Grossing $12 million at the box office, Rounders features one of the most star-studded casts in Hollywood, with the boyish vulnerability of Matt Damon offset by the charismatic charm of Edward Norton and the glaring menace of John Malkovich. The story revolves around a New York City law student, who happens to have an unparalleled talent for poker. Pairing up with his friend Worm, the main character Mike soon finds himself caught up in the dangerous world of underground gambling, with the highest of stakes to play for. Intense, action-packed, and gripping, this is a movie you won’t want to miss.

Lucky You (2007)

Starring Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, and Robert Duvall, Lucky You is less well-known than Rounders, but it’s a magnificent film nonetheless. Shot on location in Las Vegas, it does a perfect job of bringing Sin City and one of its most famous games to life. It follows a young and talented poker player, Huck, who’s stuck living in the shadow of his problematic father – a man who won the World Series twice over. Tracking its titular character through the highs and lows of trying to make a name for himself on the circuit, it’s as much about the troubled relationship between father and son as it is about the game itself.

Molly’s Game (2017)

For those who wish to play poker, there are dozens of options available online. Providers like Paddy Power have entire pages dedicated to sharing the latest casino offers with their customers, in order to enable would-be players to try their hand without breaking the bank. That being said, those who fancy giving poker a go will want to watch the third film on this list first: the gripping Molly’s Game. Following the true story of Molly Bloom, a world-class skier who suffered a career-ending injury, it takes us along on her journey as she forges a new life hosting high-stakes underground poker games. The action is intense but exciting, with all sorts of twists and turns along the way, and by the time it’s over, we guarantee that you’ll want to experience it for yourself (albeit online and through a regular and reputable casino).

When it comes to films depicting poker, there are some truly fantastic titles to choose from, and these three undoubtedly deserve a place at the very top of the list. Why not give them a go the next time you’re stuck for something to do?