Continuing with the theme of card games in movies, one of the most memorable ‘cinematic’ poker games was in the 1973 Oscar Winning movie ‘The Sting‘.

Set in 1930s Chicago, it’s a great ‘revenge’ movie and Paul Newman plays a wonderful, menacing part. In one scene he’s on a train and gets involved in a game of poker. Using various poker card tricks, He hustles his way against another card sharp (played by Robert Shaw) … and wins!

The movie won no less than 7 Oscars.

One of the key scenes in the movie is the marathon poker game at the Lafayette Hotel. The atmosphere is built up slowly but powerfully and ‘the Kid’ is played brilliantly by Steve McQueen. The crowd gathers around the poker table and when the final hand is played it’s really dramatic.  Lancey says to ‘the Kid’:

“You’re good, kid … but as long as I’m around you’re second best.”

Tremendous stuff which only a well acted, dramatic game of poker could produce! It brings to mind an array of poker stories - anecdotes based on real life events all related to poker games.