These three scenes give you all the thrills and chills of the casino. From the high-stakes tables of Monte Carlo to the bustling gaming floor of a golden-era Vegas hotel, these movies are known for their realism. Popular with both poker fans and movie fans alike, these three casino scenes are the best in the business.
Rounders (1998) – The Oreo Scene
It is impossible to talk about casino movies and card game scenes without mentioning Rounders. Though the action takes place in smokey backrooms instead of Vegas gaming floors, it is still a fully-fledged casino movie. The hero of this movie is an experienced poker player who is a Texas Hold’em expert. The popularity of Texas Hold’em has boomed since the release of Rounders and it’s now possible to experience it yourself at an online casino, playing against other players from around the world from the comfort of your home instead of in a smoke-filled backroom.
Fans of poker are spoilt by this film, with countless classic moments to choose from. The final scene of the movie, known as the Oreo scene, is a fitting crescendo to this Texas Hold’em tale. Matt Damon perfectly narrates the action as the tension builds to the final hand. This scene is the cherry on top of a poker movie classic. Both Damon and John Malkovich play their roles to perfection making this a must-watch for poker and casino fans.
Casino (1995) – The Money Trail
It may be most remembered as a classic Martin Scorsese mafia movie, but the star of the show is the casino. Long tracking shots and montages narrated by Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci pepper this film, and the ‘money trail’ scene is the movie’s best example and its most realistic casino scene.
DeNiro narrates as the camera hovers above the tables on the casino floor and money flows to and fro between the players and the house. Then a signature Scorsese motif begins; the long tracking shot. We follow an unknown man as he walks across the casino floor into the counting room where money is being sorted. From nickels and dimes to 50s and 100s, every penny is accounted for and the profits leave with the mysterious man in a briefcase.
Casino Royale (2006) – The Straight Flush Scene
James Bond is always making high stake gambles but in this scene, more than just his life is on the line. This movie reinvented the character and the franchise for the modern era by going back to basics. The British super-spy is doing what he always did best, hustling a poker table while on Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Daniel Craig’s Bond and the villain of the movie, Le Chiffre played by Mads Mikkelsen, are all in on a hand of Texas Hold’em. There is $115 million on the table. Suave and sophisticated as ever, Bond is as cold as ice as each player reveals their cards. Le Chiffre takes the lead with a strong full house packed with Aces but 007 is neither shaken nor stirred. His five and seven of spades give him a straight-to-the-eight flush.
These three casino scenes give viewers a little taste of the thrills and chills of the casino. From backroom poker games to the high-stakes rooms of Monte Carlo, movies can give you a seat a the table and a piece of the action. Watching one of these casino movies is a great way to enjoy a no-lose gamble, each of these films is a win.
