If you have played a few rounds of poker or wondered how to play slots online, you might’ve taken to the internet to read as much as you can. Guides are incredible, and they can help you get a good grasp of how the game works.
But they won’t teach you what type of player you are - to do that; you have to play for real.
Are you the team’s maths wizard and you can work out the probability of almost any gamble? Or are you a careful player? How do you bet, do you consider everything and then win in the end, or slow and steady player?
Or perhaps you’re the scrappy, funny one that gets himself into some terrible hijinks, but all goes right in the end.
Something that is super enjoyable to compare your play style or learn and play style from those characters in some of the most loved casino movies.
No, not all casino movies are true to life, and sometimes you even see them playing poker with a blackjack hand. And vice versa. Yet, casino and casino movies are some of the most popular of all time.
Here are some of the best.
The Gambler (2014) The boy done good isn’t something you will be saying as you watch this, and you probably don’t want to follow in this guy’s footsteps either.
This film contains various ups and down and does not climax like a typical casino film. With Mark Wahlberg at the helm, you can anticipate an exciting, well-acted movie.
However, some people like the original more, but that is just person preference. The original Gambler script is based on James Toback's real-life experiences (who wrote the Bugsy screenplay).
Debt that is crushing, a great deal of emotion, and finally plenty of (bad) schemes to remedy the problems.
Although The Gambler only has a 6.1/10 on IMDb, the movie is well worth watching.
Let’s just say you don’t want to be this guy - but you can learn a lot from this movie anyway – like how not to approach your casino time.
This is a fascinating tale of how a charming and dark gangster named Bugsy Siegel became one of Las Vegas' founding fathers.
Bugsy is a biographical gangster movie that follows the life of a well-known charismatic thug.
This is another piece by James Toback, whose name you may recall from The Gambler.
Bugsy was a crucial figure in the development of modern-day Las Vegas.
The reviews for this movie are incredible - but the likelihood of you becoming a casino mobster in this day and age is pretty slim. So what can you take away from this movie? That ambition and know-how can take you pretty far, but you have to know when to call it quits - and don’t fall in with the wrong crowd.
According to IMDb, this film has a rating of 6.8/10; on Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 85 percent rating - pretty high and worth a watch!
Ocean’s Eleven (2001) When it comes to characters, there are plenty to choose from here. Are you the sly Lionel? How about the slick and talented Saul? Or maybe, you are more like Rusty - incredibly smart, efficient, and great with cards.
An Iconic movie about casinos and intelligence. One of the most audacious crime syndicates in history aims to pull off the "big one" so they'll never have to hustle again.
One of Las Vegas's most opulent casinos, the Bellagio Resort serves as the backdrop, and the cast is equally impressive.
The film has enjoyed a 20-year reign of glory because of the amusing introductions for each character, and how smart the plot is.
If you enjoyed the 1960s movie, you'll enjoy the new one, too.
This one contains romance, excitement, a unique storyline and is easy to follow. Follow up with Ocean's 11 by seeing its sequel, Ocean's 12, and then Ocean's 13. Although the latter films aren’t as good, they are still a fun watch.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Ocean's 11 has an 83% approval rating. IMDb has a 7.7/10 rating.
This movie is an excellent representation of the diverse nature of players.
21
There are several scenes throughout the film that can teach you a lot about Blackjack – and since it is one of the most realistic, it’s worth paying attention. Additionally, the ethics and morals of blackjack tables in Las Vegas are shown in 21.
A compelling film from beginning to end, the movie has been regarded as among the most authentic casino films ever made.
21 is based on the true tale of six MIT students who were educated to be card counting geniuses, making it extra fascinating.
An unconventional math instructor and pupils with heavy school debt and an aptitude for mathematics make compelling watching.
The last scenes of the movie give us twist after twist. We get to watch rise and fall of a ruthless tycoon for 21's easy-to-follow narrative.
With only 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.8/20 on IMDb, it hasn’t scored too highly, but it is worth watching since it is a true story.
21 is so fascinating because it shows us that part of the reason they were so good is that they for the percentages of winning down to fine art, which means effectively card counting. This isn’t illegal but is frowned upon most of the time - it does become a legal issue when there is software involved, though!
Casino movies can teach us how to play with confidence; what to look for at the tables, and they always cover tells, which can be incredibly beneficial when you sit at the table. But they can also show us that not everyone is a winner and playing smart is the key to having a successful time in casinos.
