If you think about it, bluffing has always been a part of television programs. No matter if you’re watching a movie or TV show, somewhere along the lines, characters come across scenarios where they feel the need to pull off a bluff. These types of scenes can be seen in some fan favorites. Take, for example, Chis Nolan’s The Dark Knight. In the opening bank robbery scene, the Joker bluffs his other partners to gain an upper hand.
First, let’s start with the meaning and idea of bluffing, because as in the game, same in the theory, you would understand poker-related activities better if you begin with learning the essential poker terms. So, the word ‘bluff’, in the context of this game, is the art of making your opponent think you hold better or worse cards than them so that they may throw better cards than you. Additionally, bluffs are made while betting or raising stakes with a hand that may not be the best at the table but might make you the winner if your opponent folds.
It’s a tactical move that, when exploited correctly, can shift the tides of the game in your favor. Similar to poker, filmmakers use bluffing in their movies to create an environment of suspension and tension. You, as a viewer, might not always be aware if a character is truly bluffing or not, which is what makes it so interesting to play out.
Of course, poker and casino movies are the best-known types that feature bluffing, but plenty of other times, you can see characters attempt a bluff to get an advantage over an enemy or situation.
We’re here to take a flashback to times when characters bluffed in fan favorites.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Director Aaron Sorkin is to be thanked for bringing us this biographical crime drama film. It’s roughly based on the real-life story of Molly Bloom, who used to run high-stakes poker games for the celebs of Hollywood.
Molly Bloom, played by actress Jessica Chastain, is shown to be an Olympic skier who then decides to leave that life and turns to running underground poker matches. These matches are aimed at wealthy people like movie stars and sports players.
Molly is shown to be a smart and cunning person who dominates the underground ring using her resourcefulness. During the poker matches in the movie, she can be seen playing bluffs and even calling out others for bluffing. Another character who employs bluffing to win is Player X, played by Micheal Cera.
The Sting (1973)
The Sting features a tangled plot web in which two pros of grifting attempt their hand at conning a mob boss. Starring Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff and Robert Redford as Johnny Hooker, the film sees Johnny accidentally steal from a big-shot mob boss. This leads to Johnny teaming up with Henry to take revenge.
One of the best scenes of bluffing takes place during the beginning when Johnny is trying to outrun a hitman who’s sent to end his life. To escape, Johnny enters a building while pretending to be an FBI agent by showing a fake badge.
The Sting is an absolute web of bluffs and double-crosses which is sure to catch you off-guard. Both Johnny as well as Henry are occasionally seen bluffing throughout to psychologically beat the opposition.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The brilliant minds of Steven Soderbergh and Ted Griffin came together to assemble this beloved classic. The cast includes George Clooney as Danny Ocean, Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell, Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan, and Julia Roberts as Tess.
The story of the film revolves around Danny and his eleven teammates as they mastermind a plan to steal $160 million from three casinos at once.
The best playout of bluffing comes from Rusty, where he teaches the others how to draw out a bluff during a poker game. “Don’t use seven words when four will do. Don’t shift your weight, look always at your mark, but don’t stare…”. This advice eventually proves useful to the others, as evident in later scenes.
Aside from this, characters use bluffs and deception to gain access to restricted areas in the casino so they can carry out their heist.
Casino Royale (2006)
We all know and love the first Bond movie that started Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond. It was directed by Martin Cambell and features Eva Green as Vesper Lynd and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre.
Casino Royale, sometimes considered as the best Bond movie, pits James Bond against the terrorist financier Le Chiffre in an electric poker game. The key bluffing scene in this movie is when Bond has a much weaker hand during the game but decides to go all in, making the others think he has stronger cards. His bluff proves effective as his opponents decide to fold.
Final Thoughts
When done well, scenes featuring character bluffs can play out incredibly well. They add a sense of mystery to the setting of the film that makes us hold our breaths as we await the outcome.
We’re sure bluffing will continue to be employed as a strategic move in future movies as well.
