Who's the sucker at the poker table?
“If you can’t spot the sucker at the table within the first half an hour, then you ARE the sucker!” This is just one of the many invaluable quotes that originate from what has been described at the time as “one of the best poker movies ever made,” as well as “a poker classic that has elevated Texas Hold’em to its current status as most popular game.” And now “Rounders,” which was released in 1998 featuring Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Edward Norton, is set to be launched on Blu-Ray DVD anytime soon.
Interestingly enough, although it was screened just over a decade ago, it is said that this movie’s impact is still visible on today's poker scene. Hevad “Rainbow” Khan, a 22-year old poker pro who is renowned for his ability to play up to 43 online poker games at the same time, said that he has watched Rounders around thirty times already. “It played a huge part in my developing a strong addiction to all the facets of No-Limit Hold’em.” Khan explains how the movie illustrates a “David versus Goliath” scenario, where even the most formidable poker players can be defeated when you use you brains.
A vast number of poker players agree with Khan and admit that they have either been inspired to start playing because of it, or have learnt valuable lessons that improved their game from watching Rounders. This includes the likes of Gavin Griffin, the youngest ever poker player to win a WSOP-Bracelet at the age of 22, with more than 24 major cash-ins and more than $4million in live poker earnings behind his name. “Rounders got me interested in poker,” he stated. But Griffin particularly admires the realistic portrayal of poker in the movie. “They don't just glamorize poker and gambling. You get to know the bad things about poker along with the good things. People don't always come out on top, and it's good to see that.”
Amongst the big names who view Rounders very positively are the beauty and brains combination of Vanessa Rousso and renowned poker author Lou Krieger. Although Lou is of the opinion that Rounders had a good influence on the poker industry, he does warn against the fact that it could create the impression that “poker is easy to beat” and that people could “delude themselves into believing they have the required skills, when they don’t.”
“There are lots of people who have overly inflated opinions of their own ability, and those people will continue to lose money at poker unless they improve their game,” he says.
Poker fans, including us, are probably going to be scrambling to the DVD-store shelves to scoop up the movie the moment it arrives. However, it most probably remains more sensible to watch the real thing, if your intention is to learn!
