The 26 Best Movies About Gambling and Poker, Ranked

Because we like Axel, watching his demise at the hands of his own addiction is as painful as it is scary, and it allows the film to possess the mindset of an addict in a startlingly effective way. We feel his excitement and we cringe at his pain, and it all leads to an ending that cashes all in and wins big. Often cited as “Goodfellas Go West,” “Casino” has long struggled to get out of the shadow of Scorsese’s other three-hour mob epic starring Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. DeNiro stars as “Ace” Rothstein, a tough, tortured Jewish bookie summoned by his Chicago mob bosses to run the Tangiers Casino in Vegas. While Rothstein’s fetishistic attention to detail rivals Scorsese’s own, he is unable to keep the casino’s corruption under wraps as he juggles an ultra-violent mafioso sidekick (Pesci) and a defiant wife (a standout Sharon Stone). The film lurches from one extravagant set piece to the next, at times feeling like a guided tour through the seven deadly sins.

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• Although Peaky Blinders would not be the first TV show or movie to show gambling in all its complicated glory, it has been lauded as one of the best.
• There’s nothing the casino can do if someone’s playing hot and winning a lot of money—unless they send in “The Cooler,” anyway.
• It’s better the less it is about the pool hustling … which is great, but keeps it lower on this list.
• This just inspires him to push harder and keep it going, and while this might turn out to be a disaster in a movie like, say, Uncut Gems, here, it’s just a wacky ’80s comedy.
• If you have not watched some of these yet, roll under your blanket and get ready for a thrilling ride full of gambling, betting, and drama.
• As the film unfolds, so do the layers of the scam, with the audience finally being let in on the very complicated con.

The film offers a profound look into the mentoring aspect of gambling, where experience meets raw ambition, set against the moody ambiance of casinos and race tracks. The nuanced performances by Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly add depth to the movie. While our top picks showcase the very best of the casino genre, there are a few more films that didn’t make our list but offer compelling portrayals of the casino world and the multifaceted characters who inhabit it.

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The drama surrounding the professor’s debts and the ways in which his young protégés attempt to wipe them way makes this film a supremely absorbing experience. Bernie Lootz is very efficient at what he does – he works at a Las Vegas casino as a sort of “bad luck bringer” that goes out of his way to jinx gamblers into losing. Shelly Kaplow, the casino’s boss lady, appreciates him and his ability to keep her casino on the winning end of things. But Bernie’s “cooler” abilities start to falter when he comes across a waitress named Natalie Belisario, who he falls head over heels for. Once Shelly takes notice of Bernie’s changed behavior, the plotline within The Cooler blossoms into something you’ll become heavily invested in as it unfolds. Robert De Niro, Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Tom Cruise and a host of other world-class actors have appeared in some of the greatest gambling movies ever put on the big screen.

Atlantic City (

You can always try to find a copy on DVD, but in the age of streaming services, here’s what you need to know. The film was released the same year Johnny Moss won his last WSOP Main Event (1974). It’s a comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, and while on its face it may seem lighthearted, California Split cuts much deeper. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written from Bloom’s perspective, so there may be an expected bias toward her side of the story. If you’re wondering how to watch Mississippi Grind, it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and several streaming options exist, including an HBO Max subscription.

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White Men Can’t Jump is centered around two basketball hustlers, Sidney “Syd” Deane (Wesley Snipes) and Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson)— who would gamble their last breath on making a jump shot if it meant they could gamble their next one. Billy makes a living lulling people into a false sense of confidence on the court because of him being an unassuming white man before turning into Larry Bird and snatching the money he can. What makes White Men Can’t Jump is how it displays the almost imperceptible difference between betting on yourself and betting for yourself. Because she was confident in betting on her preparation and smarts because it was a dream of hers. Billy made bets because his identity is inextricable from his gambling addiction.

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Cheaters jumps from casino locale to locale, showing elegant locations and high-stakes roulette games in contrast to the undercurrent of the intense desperation of Elric and Suzie in each scene. Molly’s Game was the directorial debut for writer Aaron Sorkin, based on the alleged true story of a former Olympic skier who ran an international underground poker tournament for celebrities, high profile businessmen, and the Russian mob. Played by Jessica Chastain, Molly Bloom tries to keep her gambling empire afloat while the FBI investigates the massively illegal operation. No scientific studies have proven if Tom Cruise in the ‘80s could make anything cooler.

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You take a risk every time you buy a ticket at the theater, or queue up a movie from your couch. There’s always a risk when it comes to picking a movie, but there are ways of limiting that risk; like, say, reading a list of the best movies in the genre. This is pretty much a gambling epic, like a sprawling western directed by Sergio Leone or Howard Hawks with Robert De Niro playing the gunslinging head of the titular location in Casino (1995). And in this case, the epic was directed by Martin Scorsese in one of his most ambitious films to-date. Along with The Sting, this is the other film on the list that almost transcends the gambling ilk from a sheerly critical perspective. Directed by Robert Rossen and starring Paul Newman as “Fast Eddie” Felson, this is of course the film that sparked Scorsese and crew to create The Color of Money.

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• A down on his luck college professor hatches a get rich quick scheme with the aid of three students of his choosing.
• This classic dramedy often tops the list of the best casino movies, offering a stellar performance from Elliot Gould, who plays a casual gambler.
• This compression can warp audience perceptions, making the world of gambling appear far more fast-paced and emotionally charged than it typically is in a real casino environment.
• “Ocean’s Eleven” grossed $183.4 in the U.S. and had a great reception, with an 83% rating from critics and 80% from audiences.
• People like to point to the hand dealt in the scene near the end as too against the odds to be true, but everything else in this movie when it comes to gambling is spot-on.

A study on how to beat the system, “21” might just inspire you to try. Driver portrays Valerie, Molony’s girlfriend, who is unaware of his gambling problem and financial crimes. Chaykin plays Danny Mahowny, the casino manager who facilitates Molony’s access to ever-increasing amounts of money. It premiered at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival and received a limited release in the United States on May 28, 2004. A good gambling movie will have plenty of exciting action sequences depicting the high-stakes world of gambling in all its glory. Whether it’s a gritty depiction of a gambler’s descent into obsession or an exhilarating ride with card-counting geniuses, each film on this list offers a unique perspective on the alluring yet dangerous world of gambling.

‘Molly’s Game’

This film is one of our top movies about poker because the world of gambling can serve as both a refuge and a battlefield for personal demons. It’s not just a movie about gambling; it’s a story of regret, penance, and the search for forgiveness. Charlie Waters and Bill Denny are gamblers who come together through a mutual appreciation of their hobby. Charlie goes out of his way to gamble as much as he can in a bid to win the biggest payday there is alongside Bill.

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There is a trove of exceptional movies about gambling that match Peaky Blinder’s level of entertainment. Fans of poker, roulette, or just placing bets on sports teams understand the adrenaline and despair that can occur with the make-it-or-break-it atmosphere of gambling. Filmmakers from Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese understand this all-in mindset of gambling and infuse it into their awesome films. Nothing captures the stress of a gambling addiction more than Uncut Gems, the Adam Sandler-starring film about a New York City jewelry dealer who can’t stop himself from chasing the big win. He owes money to everyone in town, including the mob, bookies, watch salesmen, his own brother-in-law, and basketball legend Kevin Garnett. Based on a true story of a crippling gambling addiction, screenwriter James Toback wrote The Gambler about his own problematic behavior, anger, and feelings of general desperation.

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As depicted in this source, many of the happenings would be impossible in an online European casino. In Robert Rossen’s “The Hustler,” a young Paul Newman plays Fast Eddie Felson, a talented and cocky pool shark who puts it all on the line against Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason, in a rare straight role), the best player in the business. After a hot start, Eddie’s pride gets in his way and the game continues for a grueling 25 hours.

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The nuances of human connection, ethical dilemmas, and the subtle yet pervasive impacts of addiction are masterfully woven into a story that is emotionally gripping and morally reflective. As the young John is indoctrinated into the world of professional gambling under the elder John’s tutelage, “Hard Eight” unravels not merely as a tale of luck, risk, and addiction, but as a reflection on mentorship and paternalism. The elder John, guiding his protégé through the labyrinthine paths of gambling, oscillates between a figure of salvation and a harbinger of doom. His intentions, although seemingly benevolent, become increasingly blurry as the narrative unfolds, providing a rich, ambiguous moral ground for the viewer to traverse.

Thanks to its incredible success, two more movies – “The Hangover 2” and “The Hangover 3” – were made. Some of these gambling movies have received essential honors for their exceptional depiction of gambling. They are an excellent way to experience the joy of gambling without risking money. Critics of the production have argued that many of the arguments made in the documentary were actually debunked and disproven over the years and that Fine should have done a better job of the narrative he put together in the end. Regardless, we still think this is one of the best gambling movies on Netflix and definitely worth seeing.

• Therefore, “Casino” stands not merely as a masterpiece of cinema but as a profound societal commentary that continues to resonate with viewers across generations and cultural contexts.
• Based on a true story, “Molly’s Game” has a fantastic cast and a captivating script.
• Take, for instance, the high-stakes poker scene in Casino Royale which you can see in the video below.
• Newman’s Fast Eddie Felson is like a more interesting version of Cruise’s character, and his battle to take down Jackie Gleason’s Minnesota Fats follows a more human, soulful narrative than a typical sports-movie arc.
• The plots of many of the best films about gambling are remarkably similar.
• In gambling, the house always wins until the perfect hand comes along.
• The movie portrays her life and how the FBI began to track her down, leading to her downfall.
• It’s a biographical drama based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a former Olympic-class skier who ran one of the most exclusive high-stakes poker games in Hollywood.

The movie storyline depicts Sam Ace’s rise to power as a casino operator. Sam Ace is a gambling expert who Chicago Outfit employs to run casino and hotel activities at Tangiers Casino. The incredible casino scene that captures many arises when two players bet $ on one roll of dice in a high–stakes game. This movie is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, a former professional skier who became one of the most successful poker players in the world. Released in 1995, Casino is a classic gambling movie that is based on the true story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a professional gambler and casino operator in Las Vegas.

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• Moving into the psychology behind the flashy exterior, films like Rounders depict the gambler’s mindset with a focus on skill, bluffing, and the high of risk-taking.
• Moreover, the film, through its carefully crafted narrative and emotionally resonant performances, particularly by Philip Baker Hall, excavates the multifaceted nature of addiction.
• The movie is of course a highly romanticized version of actual events, but it’s captivating and definitely one of the top gambling movies on Netflix to watch on any day.
• Another pool-based good gambling film about casinos is The Color of Money.
• Give it a spin and try and resist opening up an online poker table immediately after it finishes.
• While it captures the tension well, real-life casino operations are vastly more complex and regulated.
• There’s the Shooter, wise and bitter and failed, who still remembers that he was once a Kid himself.

Faced with $44,000 worth of debt and a rich family that is ashamed of him, Freed travels to Las Vegas in the hope of winning big. When the chips are down, gambling movies have always been the best backdrop for intrigue from heists to heartache. Here is SPYSCAPE’s countdown of the top 10 gambling scenes from memorable movies you’ll want to stream right now. A good gambling movie will have high stakes, both for the characters and the audience. The characters should be put in jeopardy, and the audience should be invested in their struggle. The stakes should be believable and exciting, making for a suspenseful and thrilling experience.

These inaccuracies, while seemingly harmless in the context of narrative fiction, carry implications for real-world behavior. Potential gamblers might enter the casino with unrealistic expectations, underprepared for the realities of gambling, or overconfident in their abilities based on what they’ve seen on screen. Filmmakers often employ these techniques to distill hours of slow, strategic gameplay into a few minutes of screen time. This compression can warp audience perceptions, making the world of gambling appear far more fast-paced and emotionally charged than it typically is in a real casino environment.

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Unfortunately, He loses that stone and spends several days chasing after him and at the same time escaping from being chased by angry creditors. Sunday was Stroud’s eighth game with multiple passing touchdowns and no interceptions, tying Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson for the most by a player age 22 or younger in NFL history. “The Sting” is a 1973 American caper film set in September 1936, involving a con artist and a rookie grifter who seek revenge on a crime lord who murdered one of their partners. The film was directed by George Roy Hill, written by David S. Ward, and starred Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the leaders of the con artists. The title refers to the scams (“stings”) used by the grifters to con their mark. These films give further insight into the complex, often tense relationship between people and their wagering habits.

“Mississippi Grind” subtly navigates through the labyrinthine paths of gambling addiction, all while capturing the poignant, multifaceted human experiences along the journey. Well, William H. Macy plays a loser who is so good at losing that a casino highers him to sit at a craps table and ruin everyone else’s luck. It won two of its nine nominations at the 34th Academy Awards, and has since been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. And as Fast Eddie seeks to test his pool hustling aptitude against the professional player “Minnesota Flats”, the stars of this sports show in Newman and George C. Scott lead the project to utter greatness.

The title character, the Cincinnati Kid (Steve McQueen), is a young poker player who wants to be the best in the world. He comes from a poor background and has had to hustle to make a living. The film is based on a true story of the MIT blackjack team, a group of college students who win millions of dollars from Las Vegas casinos by using their math skills and a card counting system. Adam Sandler is known for starring in some…well, questionable comedies. But his role in Uncut Gems reminded everyone that he’s a force to be reckoned with when he’s given incredible material to work with. Adam takes on the role of a lovable NYC jeweler who loves playing it big when it comes to betting.

Besides a stellar cast including The Goodfellas’ Paul Sorvino and American Gigolo’s Lauren Hutton, The Gambler is a psychological thriller masked as a gambling movie. Few gambling movies portray gambling less as a talent and more as a coping mechanism, like Paul Schrader’s 2021 crime drama The Card Counter. Oscar Issac plays card counting wizard William Tell who teaches himself how to count cards in a military prison to practice the patience and restraint from succumbing to the darker impulses that landed him in prison in the first place. Throughout the film, this control of one’s decisions central to gambling is what he tries to instill in a Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan) seeking to avenge his father’s death lethally. When films like The Card Counter uncover the psychological connection between being good at gambling and dealing with being a human, they create something truly magical that stands the test of time.

The girl continues to defeat the school’s best gamblers and she soon takes on the staff and anyone who has money or ambition to challenge her. In fact, the better a student is at gambling (or the more they have won at the very least) the higher up the food chain they rank. Everything is going well at the academy until the day Yumeko Jabami, the main character transfers to the academy. The girl is ignored and put down by her peers but that quickly ends when everyone realizes that she is the best gambler they have seen.

And those accolades are more indicative of the film’s actual quality than its acclaim from critics or number of tickets sold in theaters. William H. Macy stars as the titular character Bernie Lootz — and as a cooler in a casino, he acts as bad luck for the other gamblers, placed there by the casino themselves as a sort of negative presence. And it actually explores its characters to a meaningful extent while https://true-fortune.us/bonus/ also showcasing the inner workings of Vegas. It’s one of the more modern poker movies, especially since it is based on a true story. In the film, Jessica Chastain narrates the story of Molly Bloom, a champion skier who suffers a career-ending injury on her road to the Winter Olympics. The hilarious movie features a group of friends who decide to spend a night out in Las Vegas at a bachelor’s party.