We celebrate a hugely influential poker movie with a great cast.
Read our look-back at John Dahl’s 1998 film, Rounders, here.
For these dedicated grinders, this isnt a film, its a mission statement.
The plot deals mainly with his struggle between two contrasting destinies.
Mike begins the movie as a reformed character.
McDermotts respectable tendons straining against the inexorable attraction of a night spent winning other peoples money.
Which would be great, were it not for Worms destructive tendencies.
He borrows money against Mikes name, cheats constantly and generally ruins every situation he burrows his way into.
Not to mention the $25,000 debt he acquired before his stint in the slammer.
So how are they going to turn a few hundred dollars into twenty five grand?
I really hope I dont have to tell you.
Its a wonderful pairing and a big reason whyRoundersis not just a brochure for the romance of poker.
It also does a great job of layering the film with poker lingo.
Roundersgreatest strength is capturing what it feels like to play poker.
What makesRoundersso special is that this is what playing poker always feels like.
No other film has ever managed to capture this feeling.
Roundersemulates this sensation by placing added emphasis on every single game.
Watching hands of poker is pretty boring, and writers Levien and Koppelman understand this.
In the early 2000s, poker underwent something of a revolution.
The movie has extra layers of meaning for those who understand poker.
Which helps make it a pre and post-conversion favourite.
Really, McDermott is not a role model for the budding rounder.
Knish never plays beyond his means and never puts money down on the table he cant afford to lose.
He always pays his bills and is never in debt.
Speaking of Turtorro, he stands among the ranks ofRoundersstellar bit-part players.
Be they wizened old judge Martin Landau or sultry hostess Famke Janssen.
Be that staying up all night in a poker game or collecting miniature figurines of Jason Statham.
Awards for scene stealing, however, all belong to John Malkovich.
These fine thespians are the struts that prop up the emotional core ofRounders.
It has inspired people to transform their lives and define careers.
Not many moves, no matter how special, can say that.
The geeky folks at PokerStars have produced a mobile app for poker on the go.
Play for fun or real money whatever your skill level.
All the great features as before with added ones for measure.
