When the 1998 film Rounderscame out, the world was introduced to the world of poker as it truly was and many modern day players consider it the quintessential poker movie.
Why does Rounders appeal to so many of the modern day poker crowd? For starters, it portrays the game more of a thinking man’s game. While some movies such as The Cincinnati Kid touched on this aspect, Rounders actually took you into the mindset of the main character and told you why they made the moves and didn’t make anything a real mystery.
Next, the characters in Rounders are completely believable and ones that many can relate to. Mike McDermott was the former rounder that got schooled at the poker table and could not handle the reality of what had happened. It wasn’t until his old friend Worm resurfaced and convinced him to play again that he realized that he hadn’t lost his touch but rather he wasn’t ready for the game he played.
Speaking of Worm, he was that friend that many of us have but don’t like to admit to. He is slightly underhanded and maybe even completely crooked, but they have been there for us our entire lives. Sometimes their friendship comes at a cost that eventually becomes too high for us to pay.
Rounders also introduces the game of Texas Hold’em to an entire generation of poker players. Unless you were a pro poker player or lived in a major casino town, prior to 1998 you may not have heard about Texas Hold’em. Nowadays the game is the top poker game played in the world, but at that time it was only known by the elite in the game or those trying to make a living by playing poker.
Finally, Rounders is a movie about chasing your dreams despite the odds and regardless of how insane they may seem to others. Mike had a dream of playing in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and was determined to make that dream happen. As with many dreams, it came with a high cost, but most of the best dreams usually do.
Rounders was essentially the first “real poker movie” to hit the big screen perhaps in the history of the game. Many have tried to duplicate the magic of the cult classic but few have been able to come close. If you have not watched it, pick up a copy at Redbox or watch it on Netflix.
