The glitz and glamour associated with visiting a casino makes it the ideal vehicle for Hollywood movie producers to sink their teeth into.
As one of the most thrilling games you can play at a casino, it is little wonder that blackjack has been used as the subject matter in numerous films.
Showcasing the game on the big screen has undoubtedly contributed to the popularity of online blackjack, helping it become a mainstream entertainment activity.
With that in mind, read on as we look at some of the greatest blackjack movies of all time, starting with one which proves you can beat the house with the right strategy.
21
Serious off-screen allegations have damaged the reputation of American actor Kevin Spacey, although a not guilty verdict may help him resurrect his career.
One of his finest pieces of work from an acting perspective is the blackjack-themed 21 – a brilliant movie based on a true story.
It focuses on the controversial Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Blackjack Team, which used mathematical principles to beat the casinos.
Directed by Robert Luketic, the film provides an accurate depiction of the MIT team’s exploits and how the casinos attempted to prevent them operating.
The Gambler
The Gambler is a 2014 remake of a film of the same name from the 1970s, which is loosely based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short novel published in 1866.
The reboot features a stellar cast headlined by Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Michael K Williams and Brie Larson.
The story revolves around a Los Angeles literature professor whose gambling at the casino tables lands him in a heap of trouble.
While blackjack is central to the plot, roulette and sports betting also get a look in to create what is unquestionably a slick remake of a much-loved classic.
Rain Man
The decision to cast Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise as the lead characters in Rain Man looks odd on paper, but is one which ultimately paid huge dividends.
The 25-year age gap between the two actors was arguably a little unbelievable, yet their respective acting skills ensured it did not detract from the movie.
Rain Man is essentially a redemption story about a debt-riddled shyster who exploits his brother through blackjack before finally realising the error of his ways.
The movie was a box office hit despite having a budget of just $25 million, perfectly highlighting how the dynamic between Hoffman and Cruise shone through.
Croupier
English actor Clive Owen made his international breakthrough in 1998 playing an aspiring writer who becomes a blackjack dealer to make ends meet.
His character, Jack Manford, takes a job in a London casino and is soon sucked into a shady world where criminals dominate the landscape.
Croupier expertly handles the story of a man who is down on his luck getting himself into a pickle when temptation gets the better of him.
A strong supporting cast adds depth to a movie that was not a massive box office smash, but has since been recognised as a classic gambling film.
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