Shuffle up and deal

The 5 greatest gambling movies of all time

The 5 greatest gambling movies of all time

Publicity photo

Some of the most underrated movies are gambling movies. On this list, we focused on gambling being the key element. A movie like Casino, for instance, has gambling, but at its heart it is a mafia movie. The Sting is a classic, but it would fall in the con movie genre. Maverick is good too, but it is more of a Western. There are a lot of great movies that have gambling scenes or backdrops. In the movies on this list, gambling is the fundamental driving force of the plot. These are a must for all degenerates:


5) The Hustler

The classic Paul Newman/Jackie Gleason tale takes us back to a time when gambling was conducted in back rooms and in this case, pool halls. For younger viewers, it represents a bit of a history lesson. While gambling has become mainstream, this was a time of hustlers, con men and shady people. Worth a watch.

4) The Cincinnati Kid

Another history lesson, Steve McQueen is basically Mike McD from Rounders decades earlier. The hot young up and comer who goes against a legend. It again harkens back to a time when gambling was deep underground. It's gritty, and like all gambling stories does not always have a happy ending.

3) Owning Mahoney

Based on a true story, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a Canadian degenerate gambler who embezzles millions from his bank in order to feed his gambling habit. It is a cautionary tale of what can happen when addiction takes over. It's dark, hopeless and the late Hoffman is amazing in the role.

2) Let it Ride

The gold standard for horse betting movies. Richard Dreyfuss plays a cabbie whose friend overhears a conversation about a fixed race in this little-known gem. After Dreyfuss cashes, he goes on an unprecedented hot streak. It also deals with the social distinctions of the track, from the high rollers to the down on their luck. It features a young, sexy Jennifer Tilly - who is better known now for her real-life poker skills - and Teri Garr is terrific as the drunk wife. A must watch for anyone with even a passing interest in horse betting.

1) Rounders

Simply the best, most realistic gambling movie ever made. Matt Damon is terrific as the main character, a brilliant poker player who tries to bail out his friend Worm, played by Ed Norton. John Malkovich plays the iconic Teddy KGB, and John Turturro is Knish, the wise old grinder. Gretchen Mol plays the overbearing, unlikeable girlfriend perfectly. The movie is filled with realistic characters and covers the highs and lows and massive swings of no-limit hold 'em as well as other games. Memorable lines, moments, people...It really is the gambling movie all others will be measured against.

Just missing out

The Gambler with James Caan is another classic. Also, check out Mississippi Grind with Ryan Reynolds, an underrated indie movie.

pokerhorse racinggambling

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

astroshouston astros

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome