In the gambling world, some did it best than the rest of us. And they managed to beat the house advantage to walk away with sums that changed the rest of their lives. Stories, fictional and real, have been told about them in blockbusters, and watching them will do you some good as you could use some motivation as a gambler. Gambler or not, here are the best movies you should watch to see what it takes to make money in the gambling universe:
1. Casino
Based on the book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, the movie Casino stars Robert De Niro as a gambling expert determined to become a big gun in Vegas. *Spoiler alert, Joe Pesci, who is not so lucky at the end, accompanies him as they narrate their stories that make one witness the inside workings of casinos, how to beat the house advantage, and what happens if you get caught cheating.
2. The Gambler
Based on the 70s original, this film follows the life of a professor who doubles as a seasoned gambler. It brings out how things could end up not working for you as a gambler, and who better to bring out the character than the likable Mark Wahlberg.
3. The House
For those who like comedy, this one is for you! When everything else fails, Will Ferrell as Scott Johansen and Ryan Simpkins as Alex Johansen decide to start an underground casino in their home as a last resort. As it all unfolds, they find out that is not as simple as they anticipated. It’s probably not a good idea to open up a casino in your basement!
4. James Bond: Casino Royale
Binging on Netflix, James Bond is probably the first movie that will pop up if you happen to hint that you are interested in watching a gambling movie. Other than the fact that the movie has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the other reason you should watch it is the fact that it stars the man of the hour himself, James Bond, with all the style and sophistication he brings on to the big screens. Is he good at Poker, though? There are too many Bond-themed minimum deposit casinos where you can play online.
5. Bugsy
Follow the story of a mafia boss and his exploits in Vice City. Based on Dean Jennings’s book, We Only Kill Each Other, it’s another fascinating watch that gets you in on the inside workings of the best that ever made it in the world of gambling. It’s been bashed for being inaccurate, but hey, it’s a great watch.
6. Rounders
Starring Matt Damon, rounders is all about everything that entails poker. Much like in our number two, the star doubles as a law student and gambling maestro who is determined to help his friend pay off a huge amount he owes to the bad guys. Is it possible to balance law school, gambling, and a serious relationship? Guess there is only one way to find out!
Final word
There is no shortage of gambling movies to watch out there. These six are just the tip of the iceberg!