Gambling in Movies: Best Gambling Movies, Scenes, Characters, and Quotes
From 1973’s “The Sting” to 2015’s “Uncut Gems,” Hollywood’s interest in gambling is nothing new and has been prevalent since the fact of the silver screen era. Whether the story is about the evil side of the casino lifestyle or card counting strategy, the finest gambling movies of all time are loaded with the tense atmosphere of casino scenes. Here is a selection of the best gambling films, from which you may learn some important strategies. So, peruse our directory before trying your luck at online casinos on AskGamblers!
The 15 Best Gambling Movies of All Time
The list of our favorite poker and card game films is available for your perusal. Different movies may focus on various forms of casino games, but all of their narratives center on gambling in one way or another. We must acknowledge that our pick is entirely subjective, but we have also considered IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes criteria. Are you ready to learn more? Here… We… Go!
15. Uncut Gems (2019)
IMDb 7.4 Rotten Tomatoes 92 percent
“Uncut Gems” is a very dramatic thriller about a hopeless gambling addict who cannot stop trying till he ruins himself. A stuttering New York City jeweler sacrifices everything in the hopes of remaining in business and surviving. The movie lets us think, if only for a minute, that the main character Howard (played by Adam Sandler), would be able to complete his insane mission and get back his money.
14. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
IMDb 7.6 Rotten Tomatoes 49 percent
The iconic movie “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” depicts Raoul Duke’s (Johnny Depp) trippy cross-country automobile journey with his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro). Thompson and Samoan travel to Las Vegas in an effort to cover a motorbike race. After wasting their money on a tremendous quantity of drugs, they venture off in pursuit of the American Dream.
13. Rounders (1998)
IMDb 7.3 Rotten Tomatoes 98 percent
“Rounders,” starring Matt Damon as poker player Mike McDermott, is without a doubt one of the greatest poker movies of all time. After losing his whole fortune to the Russian gangster Teddy KGB (John Malkovich), Mike vows to stop gambling and focus on his studies. Until his boyhood buddy Lester “Worm” Murphy is freed from jail, he is unable to honor his promise.
12. Hard Eight (1996)
IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 83 percent
Up next is “Hard Eight.” It is a really compelling story about a sad, lonely man who had to live in the Las Vegas underground by being quiet and modest until he encountered those who may have needed his assistance. For instance, Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), a skilled gambler, teaches John (John C. Reilly) numerous tips and techniques of the game until John falls in love with a waitress (Gwyneth Paltrow).
11. Atlantic City (1980)
IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 100 percent
The 1980 release “Atlantic City” is our next selection. A small-time mobster and the estranged wife of a drug dealer become involved in an extraordinary journey marked by passion, peril, a significant sum of money, and drugs.
10. McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 87 percent
The second film on our list is “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” a 1971 American anti-Western based on Edmund Naughton’s 1959 novel McCabe. In a little Old West mining town, a gambler and a prostitute form a successful business story until a major corporation enters the scene.
9. Maverick (1994)
IMDb: 7.0 Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
A card player and con film named Bret Maverick seeks money to attend a high-stakes poker tournament. Mel Gibson plays Maverick in the 1994 American western comedy “Maverick.” The movie is based on a 1950s television series of the same name.
8. California Split (1974)
IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 88 percent
“California Split” was the first non-Cinerama film to employ 8-track stereo sound when it was released in 1974. It follows two gamblers as they delve farther and deeper into the murky gambling scene, where the stakes continue to rise. According to some, this is the best film ever made on gambling; thus, we didn’t want to miss it.
7. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 82 percent
“Ocean’s Eleven” is another gambling-themed movie on our recommended viewing list. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and eleven skilled, risk-taking accomplices plot to loot three Las Vegas casinos in a single night, all of which are controlled by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who had Ocean locked up. Unsurprisingly, the gang finds a number of obstacles along the road. It is also a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name.
6. The gambler (1974)
IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 78 percent
Axel Freed (James Caan) is an inspirational English literature professor on the outside, but he is a disturbed man with a severe gambling addiction and problems on the inside. After losing all of his money, he borrows from his fiancée and steals from his mother before traveling to Las Vegas in an attempt to win it all back. “The Gambler” is a compelling story of addiction, solitude, and the lengths to which one will go when the stakes are great.
5. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
IMDb: 7.3; Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
1965’s The Cincinnati Kid is the title of the following poker-themed movie. While advancing as a poker player, Eric “The Kid” Stoner seeks to build his reputation by competing in a high-stakes game against an immortal game master. This quest culminates in a final poker game between The Kid and a veteran player who is widely regarded as the finest.
4. Casino (1995)
IMDb 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes 80 percent
The ancient classic “Casino” transports us back to a beautiful time when there were any internet casinos or virtual games accessible. Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a low-level gangster living with his wife in Las Vegas, is the story of this film. Ace’s life is disrupted when his boyhood best friend and mob underboss Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) arrives in town.
3. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
IMDb 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes 75 percent
“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” is a well-known English crime comedy movie directed by Guy Ritchie and starring four buddies who are hooligans, loan sharks, drug traffickers, and debt collectors. They all collide in a series of frightening situations that are caused by marijuana, a lost bet of £500,000, and two blazing barrels.
2. The Hustler (1961)
IMDb 8.0, Rotten Tomatoes 98 percent
The next film is “The Hustler.” The movie is a compelling blend of humor and crime; it’s about a pool player (Fast) named Eddie Felson who has a strong ambition to join a high-stakes, high-roller-bet professional hustling league. It’s one of those American movies in which the protagonist — the hero — triumphs by yielding, accepting reality, and giving up his aspirations entirely.
1. The Rope (1973)
IMDb 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes 94 percent
And we’ve reached the top movie on our list on gambling: “The Sting.” It is a must-see movie with a convoluted narrative about two con artists, Henry (Paul Newman) and Johnny (Robert Redford), who decide to take down a mobster (Robert Shaw). Obviously, their quest involves card games and horse racing, as well as unforeseen events, all of which contribute to the exciting nature of this movie. In addition, the movie was nominated for ten Oscars and won seven.
Movies with the Most Memorable Gambling Quotes
Obviously, we cannot discuss the list of gambling movies without highlighting a few noteworthy gambling quotations. So fasten your seatbelts; here we go:
5. Fast Eddie Felson in “The Color of Money” (Paul Newman)
Paul Newman expressed exceptional gambling thought when he played Fast Eddie Felson in “The Color of Money”:
“Money earned is twice as nice as money won”
4. In “Ocean’s Eleven,” George Clooney portrays Danny Ocean
To begin, here is one of the best gambling-themed movies, in which George Clooney as Danny Ocean in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), eager to recoup his losses, declares:
“Cause the house always wins. Long enough, you will never alter the stakes. The home is yours. Unless the proper hand presents itself. You bet large wagers and ultimately bet the house”.
3. Mike McDermott in “Rounders” (played by Matt Damon)
Matt Damon, as Mike McDermott in “Rounders,” maintains his sense of humor while becoming entangled in the dark side of the game by delivering an emotive observation:
“I’ve often seen these people, these squares at the table, short stack and long odds against them. All their outs are gone. One last card in the deck that can help them. I used to wonder how they could let themselves get into such bad shape and how the hell they thought they could turn it around”.
2. In “Casino Royale,” Giancarlo Giannini portrays Rene Mathis
Here is a quotation from one of the finest gambling-themed movies of the past decade. We are discussing “Casino Royale” (2006). Rene Mathis utters the following while watching the arrest of the police chief for falsifying evidence:
“I think your odds are improving, Mr. Bond”.
1. Ace Rothstein (Played by Robert DeNiro) in “Casino.”
The next film, “Casino,” is a crime thriller that chronicles the story of Sam Rothstein, whose problems with his wife and his unstable enforcer (Nicky Santoro) progressively lead to his collapse. He says:
“Nicky’s betting tactics were hardly scientific, but they were effective. When he won, he was paid. He urged the bookmakers to “go f**k themselves” after he lost. I mean, what did they intend to do, beat Nicky? Nicky was the strongman”.
Most Memorable Characters in Gambling Films
Here is our list of the most brilliant figures in gambling:
5. Dan Mahowny in “Owning Mahowny” (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman)
Some consider “Owning Mahowny” to be one of the most underrated gambling movies of all time, and Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the lead character, Dan Mahowny. It has never been said that he was one of the finest performers of his time, but he deserves to be regarded as one of the most memorable characters in gambling films.
4. Paul Newman’s character Eddie Felson in “The Hustler.”
Paul Newman first declined the opportunity to act in “The Hustler” because he had already planned to star in another movie with Elizabeth Taylor. However, when Taylor declined the part, Newman was contacted again about “The Hustler,” and he accepted the movie this time.
3. James Caan’s character Axel Freed in “The Gambler.”
This is a worthy addition to the list of the top gambling movies because of James Caan’s film Axel Freed, particularly during the bathtub scene. His famous quote, “It’s only insane if I lose, and I’m not going to lose,” is also well-known.
2. Elliott Gould portrayed Charlie Waters in “California Split.”
Elliott Gould went to extremes when portraying Walters’ buddy and crime, Charlie Waters. In fact, to the amazing performance, what makes this movie authentic is the utilization of real betting halls and casinos, complete with dealers, gamblers, and bartenders.
1. John Malkovich as Teddy KGB in “Rounders.”
Teddy KGB, an incredible character, is a frightening gambler who appears to have the heart of a stone-cold murderer. Not to add, the creators of Teddy KGB, Brian Koppelman, and David Levien, went on to develop the popular television series “Billions,” which has thus far generated 55 episodes over five seasons.
Movies with the most well-known Gambling Scenes
As for the most well-known scenes in gambling films, our collection ranges from gut-busting comedy to crime and drama flicks. We’re sure you’ve seen them all, and some of them may even motivate you to play. Therefore, we showcase the greatest gambling scenes we could find.
5. Blackjack Scene from Austin Powers
Look closely at the blackjack scene to determine why some sorts of viewers enjoy Austin Powers so much if you are seeking the film’s true message. Austin Powers is a series of espionage action comedy movies, including the film we’re discussing, “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” This parody of the James Bond film series illustrates the strange feeling of self-assurance that certain gamblers exhibit.
4. Blackjack Scene from The Hangover
What makes the blackjack scene in “The Hangover” so memorable is when Alan (Zach Galifianakis) demonstrates unanticipated skill by counting cards, prompting his movie Phil (Bradley Cooper) to exclaim, “He can’t lose!”
3. Poker Scene in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
In “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels,” there is a scene in which, as the game begins, Eddy lays a £20,000 bet, which is later increased to £30,000 by Harry. Eddy then reraises to £50,000, at which point Harry raises to £80,000, Eddy then reraises to £100,000, and Harry increases the stakes to £250,000. Eddy lacks the funds to increase the bid, but Harry gives him a loan, stating, “It’ll cost an additional £250,000 to view the cards; £500,000 for the day!”
2. Casino Blackjack Scene from the Film Rain Man
There is a time in the great Rain Man movie (which everyone must watch) in which the two main characters begin to get along and even connect, but one is clearly being played. As a gambling scene, it depicts the glitz of casino venues while highlighting the remarkable arithmetic abilities required to win the game.
1. Cool Hand Luke – Poker Scene
The number one gambling scene on our list is the poker scene from the film “Cool Hand Luke.” This scene from the movie, which is a classic, maybe one of the reasons why certain poker players strive so hard to learn how to bluff. In addition, it is nearly difficult to top Paul Newman’s acting and the character’s gambling skill, which is why this legendary poker scene will remain a goal for the majority of poker players.
Final Remarks
These are some of our all-time favorite casino films, complete with memorable gambling phrases, outstanding gambling characters, and unforgettable gambling scenes.
