Gambling has always been an integral part of human culture, so it is understandable that it has found its way into popular culture. Loads of TV shows, music videos, and movies showcase gambling to a greater or lesser extent. Now, the question that arises is how many of those scenes are realistic?
Whether it’s a comedy, thriller, or romance, most Hollywood films have gambling scenes in them. While some of your favorite movies love to glamourize the world of casinos, the truth is that not every representation you are shown of them is accurate in today’s world. With the increasing popularity of the online sector, it is only a matter of time before directors weave in live dealers, mobile gaming, virtual reality technology, and start engaging their stars in slots and online poker. And, playing online slots is straightforward just like playing at a real slots machine, so any slot scene from the movies should be realistic enough.
Although there are hundreds of gambling movies available, some of the most iconic gambling scenes in history that stand out are from the following three movies:
- Ocean’s Eleven
- Goodfellas
- The Hangover
While the most iconic and famous casinos continue to attract high rollers from around the world, they are now much more inclusive than they once were. Nevertheless, the casino market continues to be one of the most lucrative in the world, estimated to reach $159.3 billion by 2027.
Are Casino Movies Even Made in Real Casinos?
The movie industry has undoubtedly been through many twists and turns to come to the place it is now. Cinema has evolved tremendously, especially in visual effects. In the last couple of decades, CGI has truly become the magic wand of the cinema industry. CGI technology has advanced to the point that when watching a movie, you get the impression that it is all authentic when in reality, the whole movie was shot in front of the green screen. With that said, the major question that arises is, are casino movies even made in real casinos, or is it all one big optical illusion? Well, the answer is that most of them were filmed in existing casinos. People who have never seen the inside of a real casino will still appreciate the authenticity of the real casino architecture and details. Because the cost of making the whole casino set is almost the same amount as using an existing casino space, it isn’t odd why cinema production doesn’t opt for alternative methods.
21: Great at Making You Realize How Hard Card Counting Actually Is
21 tells the tale of a group of university students who find a way to cheat the system in a bid to become millionaires. This Vegas movie is based on a real-life story and bears many parallels with the truth about the casino experience.
The movie follows a maverick professor as he teaches a group of gifted math students to bend the rules of blackjack. Although the story itself isn’t entirely true to the real-world events, the sequences in which players are at the table are indeed accurate. This movie showcases how much effort is made to stress just how tough card counting in a casino setting actually is.
Casino Royale: Blockbuster Movie That Brought Casino to Average People
One movie that represents the mechanics of poker very well but attempts to make the action easier to follow and more exciting for all non-poker playing viewers is Casino Royale. The 2006 film Casino Royale features one of the most iconic gambling scenes in the James Bond series. The scene features a high-stake Texas hold’em tournament that includes Bonds and the villain terrorist financier Le Chiffre. At one point in the game, Bond, Le Chiggre, and two additional players are revealed to be holding winning hands. It’s safe to say don’t get your hopes up because the probability of this happening in real life is incredibly slim.
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