Poker is one of those things that have been a part of our culture for as long as anyone can remember. Poker was originally played to help deal with boredom, after all there was not any television, radio, or movies and a large portion of the population did not know how to read. Poker was also a way to earn some money and professional poker players have always moved from one game to the next in an attempt to earn a living. The game of poker has always triggered people’s imagination which is why so many movies about poker have been made.
Rounders
The most famous of all the poker movies is without a doubt The Rounders. When people think of great poker movies this is invariably the first one that comes to mind. While Rounder might not be the most famous of all Matt Damon’s movies, it is the one that really established him as an A lister.
Like most movies about poker rockets, Rounders has a fairly simple plot. Two friends owe a huge debt and in an attempt to earn the money to pay the debt, they play Texas Hold ‘em. What made the movie so good was Matt Damon’s amazing performance. The movie showcased just how well developed his acting skills had become. In an interesting twist, Damon became so skilled at playing poker that he went on to compete in the World Series of Poker.
The movie has developed quite a following which consists mostly of poker fans. Many people feel that recent surge in popularity of Texas Hold ‘em is directly connected to the movie.
Maverick
Maverick did not originally start out as a movie, but rather a television show, that starred James Garner as Brett Maverick. Later, when the movie was made, Garner was cast, not in the role that he originally made famous, but as the father. The movie stayed true to the original concept with Maverick as a lovable professional poker player with a heart of gold and knack for getting into tight spots.
The plot of the Maverick movie is simple. There is an important tournament and Maverick wants to enter. The only problem is that he does not quite have enough money for the entry fee. In his quest to reclaim money that he has loaned to friends, Maverick suffers a series of setbacks that include a seductress who is not quite what she seems, and assassination plot, a deadly stage coach ride, and friends who do not have Maverick’s best interests in mind.
The Gambler
The Gambler is one of those rare stories that manage to connect different forms of artwork. It started out as a really great download pkr story song. The tale of a young up and comer receiving advice from an elderly poker player who has passed away at the end of the song. The song was so popular, that it was later turned into a movie. In an unexpected twist, the role of the Gambler went to Kenny Rogers, who originally sang the song.