The Influence of Poker in Movies and TV ShowsMany historians believe that poker originated in the US in the 1800s. Some say it has roots dating back nearly 1000 years and crossing several continents and communities. They think it’s an odd coincidence that poker is similar to the 16th-century Persian card game called As Nas. However, there’s no evidence to prove that’s where it started.
Today, poker accommodates all gamers. It’s evolving with new variants like Omaha, Five-card Draw, Chinese Poker and more, enhancing its growth and popularity. Since it’s a social activity with great risks and winning chances, it keeps players on the edge of their seats, making the gameplay more exciting.
The Rise of Poker in Pop Culture
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Movies played a key role in the poker game’s surge in popularity. The rise in popularity started in the late 20th century. Movies like Rounders and the World Series of Poker helped gaming enthusiasts see poker in a new light. The World Series of Poker aired in the 1970s, while Rounders was released in 1998.
Poker plays a significant role in captivating the audience on screens as movie creators depict memorable characters, high-stakes games, and thrilling storylines. In Rounders, Matt Damon and Edward Norton showed fans that poker was more than just a game – it’s a profession. It helped create a chatter around poker and attract more gamers.
The game of poker has also been featured in various TV shows, including the Celebrity Poker Showdown, which aired on Bravo from 2003 to 2006. The show had celebrities battling against each other, but the winner would donate the prize money to a charity of choice. Another popular show was Poker After Dark, which aired on NBC from 2007 to 2011.
Iconic Poker Movies and Shows
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Here are other iconic movies and TV shows with poker scenes and storylines.
1. The Cincinnati Kid
The Cincinnati Kid is a 1965 American drama film that raised over $7 million. It has an amazing storyline and great suspense keeping the audience engaged and guessing. The movie follows an upcoming poker player who seeks to prove himself worthy by partaking in high-stakes poker games with seasoned players.
Although the protagonist gets a chance to play The Man, he finds out that the game is rigged in his favour. However, he desires to beat his opponent in a straight game. The success of The Cincinnati Kid laid the foundation for other poker-themed films.
2. Maverick
Maverick is a 1994 popular comedy film based on the Maverick TV series. It features Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster who need money for a poker tournament but face comic mishaps and challenges.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. However, it remained a memorable film for gamers and fans, creating a lasting image of poker and casino gaming. It takes a lighthearted spring around the world of poker, whilst giving viewers a fun and entertaining film to watch.
3. Casino Royale
Casino Royale is a 2006 007 adventure, action, and thriller film, the twenty-first in the EON Production’s James Bond series. However, in Casino Royale, 007 is more trained, maintaining a cold-hearted killer demeanour, overcoming, modifying, and improvising in most situations.
Bond plays poker instead of Chemin-de-Fer or Crabs. He must defeat a private banker who funds terrorist organisations in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale. The plot is so captivating that Daniel Craig, though initially hesitant, changed his mind and accepted the part of James Bond after reading the finished script.
4. Molly’s Game
Molly’s Game is a biographical crime and drama film based on the 2014 biography of Molly’s Game by Molly Bloom. It follows a lady who runs an undercover poker empire for Hollywood celebrities, business tycoons, and athletes.
Her business empire gets exposed, and she becomes the target of an FBI investigation. Changes between the real-life and Molly’s game biography are minimal, hence the film raised considerable chatter in the gaming world.
5. High Stakes Poker
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High Stakes Poker is an American television program. When it first aired, High Stakes Poker was unique because it didn’t take place in a tournament setting. The TV program shows high-stakes No-Limit Texas Hold ‘em. It features amateur and seasoned gamers as they risk hundreds of thousands of cash.
Although the series pays gamers to participate in gameplay, they must risk losing more money to participate in the game. The winnings are real as Gut Hansen won $575,700 with four fives, beating Daniel Negreanu’s full house.
6. Ocean Eleven
Ocean Eleven is an American heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh and released in the US by Warner Bros Pictures. The story follows friends Clooney and Pitt, who plan to heist $160 million from a casino owner. The film received great reviews from critics and garnered $450.7 million worldwide.
Critics believe that the poker scene in Ocean Eleven set the scene for the series. It shows that our protagonist is intelligent, resilient, and a great risk-taker. The poker scene helps to establish the brotherly bond between Rusty and Danny, two criminals with a history of schemes.
Conclusion
Hollywood films made poker a glamorous game. Poker scenes seem exhilarating with fun twists, suspense, and flair. The game greatly influenced how entertainment and social interactions are crafted. It’s hard to miss a representation of poker in movies and TV shows.
Poker went from a simple game to influencing fashion trends and lifestyle, music and celebrity endorsements, video games, and literature. Its ability to symbolise human emotion and strategy serves as a unifying social activity in all cultures.
