Poker movies: most common mistakes and blunders seen in the movies

Who doesn't remember a great play in a poker movie? Cinema has been responsible for exalting poker and has bequeathed us scenes that will remain in the collective imagination of everyone, especially card lovers.

But even in the best poker movies, certain errors or mistakes can be pointed out that, although they may go unnoticed by the rest of the mortals, those who understand poker will have thrown their hands to their heads. Today we talk about mistakes in poker movies, don't miss it!

Popular poker movies: are they true to life?

As a good poker fan, you have probably seen a good part of the filmography that we will present in this post. Although you may not have stopped to think about whether the moves that take place on the screen can be considered realistic or not.

We know that cinema usually takes certain licenses to make an everyday scene something grandiloquent, but what is real in the mythical poker scenes of some of the most iconic movies? Find out!

The Sting, 1973

We start with a classic, not just as a poker movie, but of celluloid. The Sting, known as El Golpe in Spain, had a luxury cast. Paul Newman starred alongside Robert Shaw in the famous poker game scene.

After a few hands won by Gondorff, Newman's character, we approach the moment in which one of the most epic cheats in history takes place. How did Newman's character get his poker 9? We'll never know.

The most realistic part of the scene may well be the tilt Lonnegan's character is left with after suffering a devastating cooler.

The cooler is a poker hand in which we play everything correctly but still lose, because we were doomed to lose, either by the two cards of our opponents, or by how the flop, turn or river have been developing.

California Split, 1974

Robert Altman's film is considered one of the most realistic by poker fans. It is, in itself, an ode to the life of the "gambler", totally realistic in terms of character typography. In one of the funniest scenes, the protagonists, under the influence of alcohol, try to bet if they can remember the names of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White.

This film brings the viewer closer to the world of casinos. So much so that it is shot in real casinos. However, the dynamic of the protagonists, based on trying to beat the bank in each of their moves, may not be very close to reality. Even so, it includes a cameo by poker pro Amarillo Slim, who played himself in the high-stakes poker scene.

Nevertheless, it is a highly recommended film, as it features rare poker modalities such as Razz, a variant of the 5-card draws or 5-card Stud games, as well as Stud Lowball and high-stakes scenes.

The Grand (2007)

Although, if we had to point out a movie in which the development of a poker game is faithfully shown, that would be The Grand. This film, directed by Zak Penn and narrated in the tone of a mockumentary, in addition to starring appearances by some of the most famous poker players, such as Doyle Brunson, shows a real poker tournament.

Even so, it is not without its gaffes, from scenes such as when the German takes on Jack Faro, where the announcer states that only an Ace of Diamonds can beat the king-high flush of diamonds shown by Faro.

However, there are two deuces on the table, which means there is a chance that the German has a Full House or Quads/poker. Or like when commentator Phil Gordon calls a hand King-Jack of clubs, but the screen shows a King of spades and Jack of clubs. As well as errors in the chip counts at tables. Still, The Grand is considered one of the poker movies that no poker fan should miss.

Rounders (1998)

Undoubtedly, one of the names that cannot be missing in the list of poker movies is Rounders. Starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, its cast also includes the great John Malkovich.

The hands of the different poker games that take place in the movie have been the subject of conversation among card lovers. And, if there is something to thank this iconic film, it is to have popularized, even more, the quintessential variant of poker: Texas Hold'em.

Although, if you thought that this movie does not contain some of the most resounding gaffes of poker movies, stay until the end of this article. We'll let you know that many card fans call it a "spoof".

The Big Blind (1999)

Considered by many as the poker movie with the most realistic scenes, The Big Blind was directed by David James, a professional poker player from whose pocket came the necessary funding to shoot the film.

This film is an example of what happens when a real poker pro takes the reins of directing and shows what can really happen during a poker game.

The most notorious poker movie failures

After a brief review of those movies that show, in a way, realistic aspects of poker games - we are not only talking about the hands you get to tie but also about aspects such as tilt, bluffs or tells - here are some poker movie mistakes that you may not have known about.

Mistakes in Rounders

As a promise is a promise, we tell you below what have been the most famous mistakes of one of the most beloved movies by many poker fans, starting with the final confrontation between a couple, Teddy and Mike, known as heads-up.

Teddy's character took the place of the dealer, so he should have been the small blind and the first to speak. However, it is Mike who bets the small blind. Big fail.

Another mistake that could not be made in a poker game is for one of the players to show his cards, stand up and leave, without even seeing the opponent's cards. This is what Teddy does with his aces.

Mistakes in the movie Molly's game (2017)

Molly's Game was a movie that was well received by audiences. However, it is not without certain mistakes that the more poker-savvy will have noticed.

In one game, the initial bet is 300K. The second bettor increases the bet by 200K. That would not be allowed in any poker game. A re-raise must be at least as big as the original bet, so, in this case, the minimum re-raise would have to be 300 K.

Other serious errors in the movie:

The house cannot decide to take a commission (part of the pot) in the middle of a poker hand. Players would rebel. The rake must be set in advance. Usually before any game starts.

In another scene Molly says that Harlan Eustice plays "tight" because he folds after hole cards 64% of the time. This is NOT "tight." A good player will fold about 80% before the Flop and a "tight" player will fold even more... as much as 85% of the time or more.

Lucky You (2007)

The film's biggest mistake is perhaps showing collusion, an illegal action in poker and considered cheating, as something entirely honorable.

Collusion defines a type of illegal strategy in poker that consists of allying yourself with other players in order to make a profit. This is what Eric Bana's character does in the movie, who allies with his father to win the tournament title.

On the other hand, the father of Bana's character - played by the legendary actor Robert Duvall - gives his son $500 in chips from his stack. This is not allowed. Removing chips from the table, thus taking them out of the game, is called "going south" and is frowned upon. A bad example for poker fans to follow.

Also, in the Main Event tournament, when the son discards his winning hand so that the father can win, this is a blatant violation of poker rules. He is effectively "chip dumping".

Depending on the rules in play at the time, he may have violated the rule that, in a tournament, when any player is all-in, all hands involved must be face up (to avoid dumping chips).

If you want to know other movies in which poker is discussed, check out this article.