Casinos are generally thought of as glamorous places and there are countless depictions of casino games in movies. Here we take a look at some of the best blackjack action from the silver screen, ranging from the tense to the thrilling to the comical.
21
21 is based on the brilliant book Bringing Down The House and whilst many will argue that the book is considerably better than the movie, in our opinion you can’t talk about blackjack on screen without starting here. This 2008 film starring Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne is based on the true story (although the movie, even more than the book, is somewhat liberal with the truth) of the infamous MIT blackjack team who used their intellect for things far more exciting – and lucrative – than engineering and science.
They used basic strategy and advanced card counting and tracking methods to take casinos worldwide for millions of dollars, with the biggest win on just one trip reported to be $500,000! It’s a great movie and an even better book – check them out.
The Hangover
If you prefer comedy then you’ve probably seen The Hangover and it’s undoubtedly a classic. The blackjack scene is a nod to the brilliant Rain Man which could also feature on our list but hey, they got Oscars – they don’t need us. In The Hangover the unlikely team manage to win an impressive $80k while card counting in Vegas, which they needed to “buy back” their buddy who had been taken hostage. If only card counting and making almost $100,000 was so easy!
Austin Powers
Blackjack only features briefly in this cult comedy but the scene is a classic. The cheating Bond-style bad guy hits on 17, making 21, remarking he “likes to live dangerously”. Powers – who doesn’t know the rules – stands on five, delivering the following line with perfect comedy timing.
Dealer – I SUGGEST you HIT sir
Powers – I ALSO like to live dangerously…
Casino
If you prefer mobster action with a side order of violence, Casino is more likely to be your sort of movie and the blackjack scene where Joe Pesci catches customers cheating at blackjack is superb. It’s Joe Pesci, he’s a gangster, he does what Joe Pesci playing a gangster does!
Play