Poker has long been represented across media, and thanks to the stakes and tension, it makes for an entertaining watch. Movies like Casino Royale, Molly’s Game, and many more have brought the game into the public’s consciousness and, though dramatized, make poker look thrilling.

Poker tournaments are often televised, and shows dedicated to the game create unique formats and invite top players to compete. Documentaries provide an educational look with real insights from poker pros, entrepreneurs, historians, and other figures about how the game has evolved over time. Though there are many to choose from, here are the best films, shows, and documentaries about poker.

All In: The Poker Movie

All In: The Poker Movie, released in 2009, is a documentary that covers how poker evolved from a household pastime to an underground club game to a cultural phenomenon in the United States. It goes all the way back to the roots of poker in the country and its growth throughout events like the gold rush and the World Wars, and how it eventually became a common game in nearly every house.

The documentary also details how poker’s reputation has its ups and downs, with poker rooms shutting down or becoming more scarce and poker players becoming much more shunned in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The advent of the computer gave rise to online poker, which became the catalyst for the US poker boom. The documentary highlights Chris Moneymaker, who revolutionized the poker scene with his WSOP win in 2003 after qualifying through an online site.

The accountant represented the everyman, showcasing how anyone could play and win and that online tools made it easier. Poker saw a massive uptick, both for live tournaments and online. Since then, Moneymaker has gone on to represent ACR Poker, a leading poker site, and continues inspiring poker players today. The documentary also provides insights from poker pros like Phill Hellmuth Daniel Negreanu, as well as other industry giants. All In is a great deep dive into the long history of poker in the US and is a captivating watch, whether or not you know how to play.

Rounders

Rounders is widely regarded as one of the best poker films of all time. The 1998 movie starring Matt Damon, known for his roles in flicks like the Ocean’s 11 trilogy, Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting, and more, saw mediocre box office success and mixed reviews. However, it’s become an enduring cult classic thanks to the poker scene. It follows two friends struggling to pay off their debts and need to win at high-stakes poker to pay them off.

Damon’s character, Mike, also dreams of playing at the WSOP. His friend Worm is played by Edward Norton, who’s starred in Fight Club, The Incredible Hulk, and more recently in Glass Onion, and he’s a notorious cheat whose tactics end up putting the two characters in tough situations. The film’s climax is a no-limit Texas Hold ‘em game against mobster KGB, where he puts everything on the line for a chance to win. The movie took cues from the underground poker club scene of the ‘90s that co-writer Brian Koppelman frequented, capturing the tension and stakes with cinematic drama. Many professional poker players credit the film for getting them into the game, and have praised it for its accuracy and energy. It’s a must-watch for a dramatic yet faithful depiction of the game. The actors are even vying for a sequel, showcasing how the demand for more films like it has persisted.

Poker After Dark

The Poker After Dark TV program takes an intimate look at one poker table as it develops. What made the show unique was its more relaxed approach compared to the tension of televising the final table of a multi-table tournament. The show began airing in 2007 and was initially cancelled in 2011, but was revived in 2017 and now has 13 seasons in total. Generally, players compete for a $120,000 prize after paying a $20,000 buy-in. It’s also invite-only, allowing viewers to watch the big names in poker face off in one table rather than a mix of unknown players and pros. The show experimented with various formats, such as cash games, heads-up, and high-stakes events.

Famous poker pros who have appeared on the show include Chris Moneymaker, Jennifer Tilly, Tom Dwan, Maria Ho, Erik Seidel, and many more. The show even featured non-pros, including YouTuber MrBeast, who’s occasionally showcased his poker experience at various livestream poker tournaments. He went up against poker pro Phil Hellmuth, chess player Alexandra Botez, and senator Ted Cruz. Poker After Dark provides an entertaining watch for those interested in seeing how the professionals play.

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