Runner Runner: Cinema’s Best Gambling Moments

If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas you’ll know that it is pretty much like walking onto a movie set. The bright lights of the big city have featured in movies like Ocean’s Eleven (both versions), Jason Bourne and even The Hangover. Most of the films set there have gambling themes, but the action on the tables isn’t just restricted to Sin City. Here’s we take a look at a few movies to feature some of the best gambling scenes ever featured in the movies, and not all of them take place on Vegas’ famous strip.

Runner Runner

A movie vehicle for the likes of Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck, Runner Runner is actually set in the luscious climbs of Costa Rica and revolves around Timberlake’s character Richie Furst who busts out of an online poker game. After losing all of his money, Furst finds himself head-to-head with the man who reportedly cheated him – Affleck’s Ivan Block. The film is a must if you’re a fan of either actor, both of whom are on top form here, as too is Gemma Arterton who also appears as the character Rebecca Shafran. In this scene we’ve picked from the movie, Furst and Block meet on the latter’s expensive boat – named ‘The House’, where he lays out on the table the reason he, and his company, don’t need to cheat. You see, the house ALWAYS wins.

Rounders

Next on our list is arguably the greatest movie about poker ever committed to the screen – Rounders. Again this one isn’t set in Vegas either – hey, there are other casinos in other states and other countries too; there are are places to play in virtually every country and there is even an online casino in Australia and beyond. The action in Rounders is still based Stateside, but largely in the underground poker rooms of New York City. It is hard to believe that the film is 21 years old – hitting screens just before the Texas Hold ‘Em poker boom that occurred in the very early ’00s. A key scene is titled ‘Judge’s Game’, a scene narrated by Matt Damon’s Mike McDermott who is involved in the action at a table consisting of judges, prosecutors and professors. The film became a cult classic way after release and still remains one of the best films to feature the game, ever.

Molly’s Game