How blackjack is portrayed in films
Blackjack perhaps has the world of movies to thank for some of its popularity. The way in which gambling as a whole is depicted in movies gives everything casino based a huge appeal. When looking at blackjack, in particular, there are films that link this casino classic to gangsters and mobsters. Then other movies focus on the luxurious lifestyle that gamblers aspire to. Read more about Blackjack in film.
In this article, we want to run through some of the best films out there that have made blackjack a top attraction. There are modern movies and some all-time classics to consider and each of these gives its own slant on blackjack and the word of casinos.
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What to expect from Blackjack in film
Before we dive in and get on with our look at the best blackjack films, it’s worth just stopping to fill you in on what to expect. The thing is, most movies don’t show gambling as leading to a luxurious, lavish, lifestyle. That’s why we haven’t focused on this area. Instead, we’ve tried to give a healthy mix that shows just how movies really depict this game, as well as gambling in general.
You’ll find films that are all about addiction, gangsters, the dirty New York days from the 1980s, and even card counting. The thing is, these films are all about sensationalising what are the most negative aspects of gambling. That being said, they still make a compelling watch. Let’s get into the list now.
Casino – Blackjack in film
There is simply no conceivable way that a list of gambling movies wouldn’t include Casino. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this is a classic that starred top actors such as De Niro and Joe Pesci.
If you’ve yet to see this film, it’s set in Las Vegas and based on true events that took place while the city was still ruled by the mob. It gives an insight into how Las Vegas was all about money, power, and murder. There’s no better movie to start with if you want to get a true feel of what gambling was all about ‘back in the day’. While it certainly makes for compelling viewing, it also leaves you with a sense of gratitude for the fact that things are now so different.
Rain Man
While Mr Cruise may be all about Mission Impossible and the latest Top Gun movie, this film featured him in his youth alongside Dustin Hoffman. This is arguably the best blackjack film that you will ever see.
It focuses on a character who has a degree of social handicap, but who is also a genius. He specialises in card counting and the film gives tremendous insight into just how this tactic can be deployed to beat the casinos. Of course, as a film that has won a host of awards, there’s more going on here and there’s a very good chance that you’ll be moved to tears.
The Gambler
Released back in 1974, this is a gambling movie that focuses on the darker side of this hobby. It focuses on a professor who has found himself addicted to casinos and it plays out showing the audience just how dangerous, and destructive, such an addiction can be.
Played by James Caan, the main character is a well-educated man but what we see is that this level of intelligence doesn’t mean that addiction can’t take over. While there was a 2014 remake of this movie, we recommend that you stick with the 1974 original.
21
This is another blackjack film where there’s a huge focus on card counting. What this film shows is the glamorous side and how, when done correctly, players can use this tactic to almost destroy the house. What makes this film so appealing is the fact that it’s based on a true story. It’s centred on the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse who were a group of students hitting casinos back in the 1950s.
While the film is based on these real events, it is set in the modern day, but it still shows just how these youngsters managed to rule Vegas. There’s also a glimpse into just how casinos see card counters and how they’ll stop at nothing to put an end to the practice.
Rounders
Released in 1988, Rounders is a film that provides a look at the other side of gambling. This was a time when online casinos didn’t exist so there was no choice other than to attend land-based ones. When many people picture land-based casinos in the US, the image tends to be the glitz of Vegas, but not everywhere is quite so glamorous.
Featuring Matt Damon as a law student, the story is based on the need to gamble to pay tuition fees. What we get shown is the seedy, dirty, and dangerous casinos that existed in New York and this shows gambling in a whole new light.
Uncut Gems
Okay, this one doesn’t feature blackjack, or even any card based casino games, however, it is one of the best movies that focus on sports betting. Released in 2019, this is still relatively new and it features Adam Sandler in a role like no other you’ll have seen him play before.
The main character, played by Sandler, is Howard Ratner. Ratner has a love of all things sports betting but gets reckless with his NBA bets. This recklessness leads to huge losses and he is then faced with the prospect of clearing his debt with some rather unsavoury characters.
Final thoughts on Blackjack in film
There are some great films out there that depict blackjack and the gambling scene as a whole. You can get drawn in looking at how masters used strategy to win big, but there are also plenty of tales of caution that hammer home that you need to gamble only with what you can afford to lose.
If you had to choose just one of these films to watch, we’d strongly recommend that you go with 21. A true story, with a modern-day twist, makes for a great watch.
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