The Best Poker Movies Of All Time

Combining strategy and game of chance, poker is a real hit at both land-based and online casinos. Unsurprisingly, you can find a huge number of poker-themed feature films and TV shows. From Texas Hold'em and Omaha to Seven-Card Stud, poker impresses with its variety of versions. And, you can even find films dedicated to this or that version of poker. So, the popularity of this casino card game can hardly be overestimated. And we're here to tell you about the top 5 - in our opinion - poker movies that are worth watching.

#1 – Rounders (1998)

It is probably not easy to find someone who has not heard anything about this film starring Mat Damon. This is not just a poker movie for those interested in the poker. In fact, you don't need to learn the rules of the game to understand the plot of The Rounders, as the point is that the protagonist simply strives to be the best among the best - that's all. However, thanks to this feature, the audience for this film has expanded significantly. Demonstrating how courage and determination will help everyone succeed in virtually any endeavor, The Rounders deserves to be ranked number one on our list of best poker movies of all time.

#2 - Mississippi Grind (2015)

Starring Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn, this drama with a pronounced Southern atmosphere is more about problem gambling in general, although it touches on many aspects of the poker game. Curtis Vaughn, a young poker player, is joining forces with Gerry, a seasoned poker player, to take a gambling trip along the Mississippi River for a great poker session played on a casino ship.

Showing the ups and downs experienced by the main characters, as well as elements of melodrama, Mississippi Grind reminds us that success in poker and many other forms of gambling depends a lot on chance. So, making the next big bet, you must be aware of all the risks.

#3 – Deal (2008)

Although not a cinematic masterpiece, this poker game movie still deserves to be included on this list. While its plot is pretty trivial, you probably won't regret the two hours it takes to watch The Deal. Introducing Tommy, an experienced poker player who decided to give up the game, and Alex, a young player who dreams of beating the casino. Tommy is ready to pass on his knowledge and improve Alex's poker strategy so that the young man becomes a more successful poker player. The essence of the deal is that Alex will share half of his winnings with Tommy. This is not to say that the spectacle awaits you, but quite a few brilliant poker hands will be played throughout the film. Created primarily for poker enthusiasts, The Deal will be interesting for those who are marking time with their poker strategy without seeing a way for further development.

#4 - Smart Money (1931)

As a movie filmed during the Great Depression, Smart Money is certainly outdated in many ways. However, its plot is quite interesting even for modern viewers. Nick the Barber, a successful poker player who has long outgrown the skill level of all opponents in his hometown, is at the center of the film's plot. Having moved to a major city, he suffered a series of setbacks due to shadow pros. However, he was able to recover quickly, building a bankroll worth $ 400 million. He uses this money to create his own underground casino ring. However, the problem arises when Nick has become too much of a thorn for the local attorney.

The plot of this film embodies the dream of every poker enthusiast to excel at the popular card game. Nick was able to build his huge casino empire solely thanks to his personal qualities - honesty, dexterity and an outstanding mind. And that is what makes him a legendary character in an equally legendary poker game movie that is definitely worth watching.

#5 – The Grand (2007)

With a decent cast and a very open storyline, this is the only comedy film on this list of best poker movies that nevertheless covers many important aspects of the poker game. It is noteworthy that the actors portraying the poker players were playing real poker, and the winner was not determined in advance. Each of the main characters are undoubtedly - in some way - outstanding personalities, trying to win a poker tournament and get that life-changing payout. Although you'll see a lot of poker hands, the plot of the film focuses less on poker itself than on how participating in one tournament can affect everyone's later life. Since there are not so many poker comedies, The Grand might be the best choice for those looking to get the most out of these two film genres.

Conclusion

We tried to compile a list of the best poker movies of all time, which is undoubtedly subjective. However, the film industry is not limited to films listed above. We deliberately missed out on Casino Royale, a movie masterpiece released as part of the 007 franchise, as well as several other iconic films to tell you about best poker movies you might not have known about. By watching them, you can probably glean a lot of information to improve your strategy. However, we recommend reading the poker books and using the free online poker trainers to sit at the table as a prepared player.