by Ernie Blake
That is why we have prepared a neat list of movies that will raise your adrenaline levels, but not with some fancy car chases or fights. These movies are about the most thrilling game – blackjack. And before we get into the movies, here is a reminder on how to play this game, just so you can get into the spirit of the movies better.
How to Play Blackjack
Blackjack is probably one of the first card games to learn when entering an exciting casino world. It is a game of chance, but like any other casino game, it doesn’t solely depend on luck. On the contrary, seasoned blackjack players would agree that you need the proper knowledge, experience, and strategy to be successful in a game.
Luckily, more and more online casinos offer blackjack, so you can visit sites like Skycity casino to find out more about their selection of blackjack games if you’d like to play it.
But first, let’s go through the basics. So, the goal in blackjack is to reach 21 but not exceed before a croupier gets 17. As you see, blackjack is a game where you don’t play against other players but a dealer.
Best Blackjack-Themed Films
Blackjack is not only one of the most popular card games, but it’s also been an inspiration to film creators for a long time. So it was challenging to make a list, but we managed to select some of the most memorable blackjack-themed movies.
Casino
Casino is a timeless American classic about casino games, money, love, betrayal, and power, directed by Martin Scorsese. Sam ”Ace” Rothstein (Robert DeNiro), on the mafia’s demand, works ”undercover”, supervising the entire operation in the Las Vegas casino.
He manages to discover many scams, including the group trying to beat the house by cheating in blackjack. Sharon Stone makes a memorable appearance in the movie by playing De Niro’s wife, Ginger McKenna.
License to Kill
License to Kill is a 1989 spy movie and the 16th in the James Bond series, starring Timothy Dalton as Secret Agent 007. The cast also includes Talisa Soto, Carey Lowell, and Robert Davi.
It may not come as a surprise why we listed this title in our list of the best movies about blackjack, although we are used to our favourite secret agent to enjoy other card games, such as baccarat or poker. After all, James Bond is known for playing big, fighting bad guys, or playing against a dealer at the blackjack table – and he is doing it pretty well.
Rain Man
Rain Man is another classic on our list, starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The story follows two brothers, one played by Tom Cruise, who, after his father dies, finds out he has a brother (Dustin Hoffman) he has never met before and to whom their father left all his money.
Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) has autism, but he’s remarkable in card counting, so he and Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) join forces to win big money playing blackjack. According to critics, Rain Man of 1988 is one of the best blackjack-themed films of all time.
The Hangover
What is the ideal scenario for a memorable bachelor party? – Best friends, heading to Sin City for a weekend. Sounds familiar? Of course, because that’s how The Hangover (movie) starts. This classic comedy follows four friends and unexpected situations they find themselves in while in Las Vegas.
To get out of the trouble and save their butts (pardon my French), the guys opt for card counting, hoping they will regain some of their losses and give the money back they owe to a strangely lovable mobster.
The Last Casino
The Last Casino is a 2004 drama starring Katharine Isabelle, Charles Martin Smith, and Kris Lemche, directed by Pierre Gill. The movie gained global popularity due to the extraordinary performance of the lead actors and the theme.
The Last Casino is a story about a university professor caught in card counting. As he could not enter casinos, he formed a group of three brilliant students and taught them the same skill, preparing them to continue where he was stopped.
Croupier
Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is an aspiring writer trying to make a living. So he finds a job in a casino and becomes a croupier. What differentiates this film from other similar pieces is the perspective it provides to a viewer.
In all the movies listed above, we follow the story of players; in Croupier, we see how the dealer perceives the game, approaches it, and the players. Therefore, if you want to see what’s a dealer’s part in a blackjack game, Croupier is a film you should watch.
21
Last but not least, 21 is the 2008 crime drama inspired by a true story. Six MIT students mastered the art of card counting and headed to Sin City to try it out. As you probably see, the story is similar to The Last Casino, released four years before 21.
We hope our list inspired you to try this classic card game, or at least organise a fun movie night with your loved ones. Enjoy!
