Gambling scenes often make for the best movie moments. That added tension and drama as well as the glamour involved with some of the world’s most impressive casinos can create memories that last a lifetime. With blackjack comes intense concentration and with it being the most widely-played casino game in the world, it has often been showcased in the cinema. Here are five of the best thrilling blackjack scenes in movies.
Swingers
A movie from 1996, the comedy-drama Swingers sees two unemployed actors – Mike and Trent – going on a trip to Las Vegas to lift their mood. That takes them to the blackjack table where Mike pretends to be a high roller, buying in $300 at a minimum $100 bet. Of course, that kind of stake can now be made online on platforms like Fansbet casino where blackjack is booming. Trent convinces Mike to always double down on 11 in a scene that’s both gripping and hilarious. Though initially given just a $200,000 USD budget, the movie hit $4.6 million at the box office, ensuring a classic hit for years to come.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
The first of three Austin Powers movies, the International Man of Mystery was shown on our cinema screens in 1997. The story, however, starts back in 1967 when British agent Austin Powers is frozen with archenemy Dr Evil. Wind the clock forward 30 years and to the modern world, Powers is locked in a blackjack game.
In it, Number Two ignores his dealer’s advice and focuses on getting 17. Number Two’s X-ray vision means he can see the next card – which is 4, meaning he would win. Powers too chooses the risky path of staying on 5 – against his dealer’s advice. Of course, Powers loses.
21
A 2008 movie – based on a true story – following six MIT students who become card counting experts and travel to Las Vegas casinos to earn a mint doesn’t sound too thrilling, but one particular scene sticks out. Student Ben Campbell obtains superb test scores, influencing Professor Rosa to invite him to his blackjack team. With card-counting and secret signalling, the team racks up wins and rewards as the team heads for Vegas on a consistent basis. Ben, naturally, adjusts quickly to the lucrative and luxurious lifestyle.
Rain Man
The 1988 classic Rain Man follows two different brothers after the death of their father. Charlie Babbitt and his girlfriend Susanna travel to Ohio to settle his father’s estate, but finds that he has left $3 million to his older autistic brother Raymond, who he was unaware existed. The brothers end up going on a road trip – after being coaxed by Charlie – including travelling to Vegas where Charlie plans to win money at blackjack through the counting of cards where
he is able to accrue enough money to cover his debts.
The Hangover
One of the most popular American comedy movies and part of the biggest R-rated franchise trilogy of all time, The Hangover is a celebration of friendship and alcohol. With Alan, Stu and Phil tricked into believing that friend Doug has been captured by Asian gangster Chow, they have to raise $80,000 in ransom money.
Alan, putting into practice what he has learned from “The World’s Greatest Blackjack Book”, heads to the casino with Stu and Phil where Alan wins all the money they need. A quite unbelievable comedic scene with added tension.