Poker has seen a huge rise in popularity over the past twenty years, and the industry is showing no signs of slowing down. Over $44 billion of gaming revenue was generated last year, and a huge contributor to that number was poker. Or, more specifically, online poker. Websites such as PokerStars, WSOP.com, and partypoker reported month-over-month rises in revenue and new players, testifying to people’s newfound interest in the game.
There are many reasons why poker continues to be popular and find new audiences, but one overlooked reason is the game’s impact on popular culture, particularly cinema. Many poker players will have first encountered the game on the silver screen. If you are a fan of poker or want to know more about the game, here are four films you shouldn’t miss.
Rounders (1998)
“Rounders” is seen by many as the catalyst for the 2000s poker boom. Famous poker players, such as Chris Moneymaker, have cited the film as hugely inspirational. While the film follows a familiar underdog/sports plot, the way it uses poker to not only further the plot but introduce the audience to the game has made it a cult classic. A viewer with very little knowledge of poker, which was the majority when it was released, was able to come out of the film with an understanding of bluffing, folding, and the high stakes of the game. Anchored by great performances by Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and John Malkovich, this is one of the best poker films ever made.
Finder’s Fee (2001)
Following hot on the heels of “Rounders,” “Finder’s Fee” uses a single poker game as the setting of this story. The story centers around Tepper (Erik Palladino), who finds a wallet with a $6 million winning lottery ticket. Unfortunately, this occurs on the same night he has his friends over for a poker game (including a young Ryan Reynolds). The rule of their poker game is that everyone buys a lottery ticket and plays to keep them all. The game is further complicated by the wallet owner turning up to claim his wallet and ticket. The film plays heavily into the morals of playing for money, with the film racking up the tension as the players realize what is in the pot. This is an interesting use of poker mechanics being employed to add tension and suspense to the plot.
All In: The Poker Movie (2009)
This documentary by award-winning filmmaker Douglas Tirola explores the factors that made poker a popular game. “All In: The Poker Movie” traces poker’s history — from its era of decline to why it’s considered one of the best ways to chase the American Dream today. The poker term “all in” means putting all of a player’s chips into the pot. The fact that Tirola chose it as its title is a testimonial to the game’s “last stand” in the early 2000s and its eventual rise back into mainstream media. The documentary features poker experts and avid players like Kevin Pollak, who participated in the 2012 WSOP, and Matt Damon, who starred in the aforementioned “Rounders.” It’s a great documentary for those who are new to poker and those who have played it all their life.
Mississippi Grind (2015)
When people think of poker in America, they think of the casinos in Vegas. And while that is the pinnacle destination for players, poker is played across the whole country by a wide variety of people. “Mississippi Grind” centers on two characters played by Ryan Reynolds (again!) and Ben Mendelsohn. The film explores through these two characters what it means to be up on luck and down on luck. The poker played in the film is in bars and dusty backrooms, far from the Vegas glamor. Compared to the other fictional films on this lead, Mississippi Grind is the truest version of how most people play the game.