It stands to reason that the theme of gambling with its excitement, tension and anticipation has been the subject of some of the best movies of all time.  Few subject matters could effectively show the highs and lows experienced in life as effectively as gambling, borne out by the quality of the actors featured in the films we've chosen.

From the worlds most exclusive casinos to the back streets of the East End viewers are drawn to the subject and film makers will always use the theme as a way of involving extreme emotions.

So read on to find out who made in into our best gambling movies of all time.

1. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).

The Guide To London Casino's number one gambling film had to be set in London!  With influences such as Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting and The Long Good Friday, Guy Ritchie managed to use his own individual style to produce one of the UK's biggest films of the year. 

Set in a seedy London East End, the four small time con artists have managed to get together the money to enter a high stakes Poker game. Eddy is a master player with the ability to read peoples reactions, but that only works when people are playing honestly.  The combination of one-liners, visual trickery, tension, violence  and a fantastic soundtrack have made this into a modern cult film.

2. The Sting (1973).

Paul Newman and Robert Redford got back together after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for this great return set in tough 1930's Chicago. Two con men aim to get back at the seemingly untouchable  head of a major racketeering gang who murdered their friend.  After setting up an elaborate plot involving clever poker and horseracing scams you're left guessing right until the end who is cheating who.

Fantastic dialogue, costumes, sets and soundtrack from some great characters keep you constantly intrigued.

 

3. The Hustler  (1961).

Not so much just a great gambling movie, but just a great movie.  Newman (Fast Eddie Felson) beautifully portrays the highs and lows of a pool hustler desperate to beat the legendary champion, Minnesota Fats.  After winning $18,000 he gets cocky - and loses everything in a mammoth game lasting more than 25 hours.

One of the central themes which runs through the movie came from the alcoholic woman in Eddies life: that he "needs more than skill to win: he needs character".  The black and white cinematography adds to the gritty feel of the film.  A classic film not to be missed.

4. Oceans Eleven (2001).
After being released from jail for less than a day, Danny Ocean is already setting his next plan into motion: an elaborate and complex  casino heist.  Danny has hand picked a multi skilled team each with their own specialty including a pickpocket, an explosives expert and a card shark.  It's no coincidence that the $150 million they plan to steal is from three casinos, each owned by the man dating Danny's ex wife, Tess!  Fast dialogue, a twisting plot and a huge Hollywood cast make for an exciting tale to see if Danny can succeed in the heist and the reunion with his ex-wife.

5. Casino Royale (2006).

This is Bond's first ever mission set in Madagascar - where things are not going to plan.  After encountering Le Chiffre, 'Banker to the Terrorists', Bond hears of his plan to raise enough money to enter a high stakes poker game at the Casino Royale.  If Bond can enter the completion and beat him (using British government money!), then Le Chiffre will no longer be able to finance the terrorists.  Of course things do not go according to plan and the usual mix of violence, dirty tricks, female interest and over the top special effects result in a fantastic climax.

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