Licensed to play...high stakes holdem

This blog has just been put up on Poker Verdict too. I went to see the new James Bond film the night it came out and these are my thoughts on the poker content of the film:

The growth of poker never ceases to amaze me. First Late Night Poker, then the internet, mainstream TV success, models and actresses, a $12m WSOP winner and now the next new level - the Big Screen.

We're not talking a niche poker film and we're not talking small-time cheesy productions, we are talking Bond. Yes, that's right, in Casino Royale, everyone's favourite secret agent and womaniser, turns his hand to Texas holdem.

Daniel Craig's debut as Bond

I have always been a fan of the Bond films and have spent many an hour debating the merits of the various Bond actors with friends. Thus, I had been eagerly awaiting the release of Daniel Craig's debut and I was in a rush to see the new release of Casino Royale even before I knew that poker was to play a part.

In fact, my discovery of poker involvement led to mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was interested to see some big-time big screen holdem. But on the other hand, I was filled with dread that the resulting scenes would be a corny and unrealistic portrayal of the game I love. Either way though, it only heightened my resolve to see the film at the earliest opportunity - which turned out to be yesterday on opening night.

Before I get onto the poker, I think the movie is a cracker. Daniel Craig, blonde-haired, blue-eyed and bulky is incredibly different to previous Bonds. The effect though is fantastic as he really pulls off the role of the rugged, raw Bond making his bones as a new double-'O'. French actress Eva Green is also fantastic as the luscious and seductive Bond girl and the film has an interesting retro feel complete with twists and turns at every juncture.

Casino Royale - thumbs down for the poker though

Unfortunately, in the end, the same compliments can't be applied to the poker scenes. There are some positives. Daniel Craig looks convincing when sat at the table. Composed and sharp, he has a piercing glare and knows how to handle his chips. The same can be said of the baddie, Mads Mikkelsen (who plays "Le Chiffre"), who is apparently a bigtime poker afficionado off-screen. Also, a clear effort is made to portray the skilled elements of the game - the ability to read people, to pick up on their tells and to apply mathematical decision-making.

However, the level at which the poker is pitched waivers between 'real' poker and 'movie' poker. At first, the blind levels are realistic and the hand selections are interesting so 'real' poker is being played. But by the end, the hand selections are typically unrealistic (straight flush over full house over full house etc) and the blind levels are ridiculous. By this stage we are all watching 'movie' poker.

Novice poker audience

I understand the need to cater for a novice poker audience and I really don't mind 'movie' poker. But this is best achieved, when you still feel the intensity and the drama of the game. Poker classics like 'Rounders' and 'The Cincinatti Kid' are good examples of movies with unrealistic plays but with great dramatic intensity. Unfortunately, by going some way towards 'real' poker, Casino Royale doesn't do enough to convinve a regular player but it also sacrifices some dramatic pull. If anything, the poker scenes slow down what is otherwise a pulsating movie with a good rythm.

So overall, while others might feel differently, I for one was left cold by the poker scenes but impressed by the film in general.

It is not all that surprising: the skill and drama of poker are hard to capture within a fictional, big screen production. However, with poker so in vogue these days, there are plenty more poker-related movies in the pipeline. It will be interesting to see if anyone does it better.

Until next time,

David aka "thekid08"

17 November 2006

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David Gross is the co-founder of Easyodds and the Managing Director of Poker Verdict. He is also a frequent online poker tournament player playing as thekid08.

Poker Verdict is a free service catering for the online poker community. It offers a unique and powerful tournament search tool as well as news and views from online poker experts.

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