IMDb > Rounders (1998)
Rounders
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 27 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2 NEW)
Rounders (1998) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Rounders (1998) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   41,201 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Dahl
Writers (WGA):
David Levien (written by) &
Brian Koppelman (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Rounders on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 September 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
You've got to play the hand you're dealt. more
Plot:
A young man (Damon) is a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks. | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(48 articles)
First Photo from Date Night Starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey
 (From FilmJunk. 1 October 2009, 9:20 AM, PDT)

Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore Whip It! in L.A.
 (From MovieWeb. 29 September 2009, 7:58 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
One of the most widely underrated movies of our time more (263 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive strong language, some sexuality and brief drug use.
Runtime:
121 min
Country:
USA
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | SDDS
Company:
Miramax Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Worm was originally supposed to smoke but avid nonsmoker Edward Norton refused. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the first part of the final poker game between KGB and Mike, when KGB has just reraised $5000, Mike starts pushing all his chips forward to go all in, the shot is taken from behind KGB and you can see KGB's left hand touching his face. The next shot from the opposite direction (when you see the continuation of Mike pushing his chips forward) KGB's hand is down on the table. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Mike McDermott: Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: John Malkovich/T.I. (#34.10)" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
That's The Kind Of Girl I Dream Of more

FAQ

How does it end?
What is Teddy KGB holding during the final hand of heads up, when Mike flops the nut straight?
If Mike spotted Teddy KGB's tell at the poker table, what was it?
more
109 out of 121 people found the following comment useful.
One of the most widely underrated movies of our time, 5 January 2005
10/10
Author: Joshua Goldstein from Los Angeles

Rounders is I believe, one of the most widely underrated movies of our time.

I first saw this movie as it was a 'bonus DVD' thrown in for free with my DVD player back in 2000, so naturally I didn't expect much (as the other bonus DVD's were very mediocre), but what I found was a very enjoyable movie.

At that stage in my life, I had only played a little poker as a child growing up, and never 'Texas Hold'em' so to be honest, a lot of the terminology went 'over my head', but even so, the film became an instant favorite of mine purely because of the performances.

The film has so much star power, and yet none of the fine actors try to 'steal' scenes. Damon, Norton, Malkovich, Landau ... and then the fine supporting cast of Turturro, Jansen, and Mol.

In fact, there is a scene with Martin Landau and Matt Damon that is perhaps one of the most beautiful performances I have seen in a long time between two very fine actors.

So even if you're not a poker player, the story is tighter than a lot of Hollywood 'pop fluff' and the performances alone can sell the film as an enjoyable movie capable of multiple viewings.

But ... if you start playing poker and get really into what they are talking about, and reading about poker theory (like Doyle Brunson's book Super System) then the movie moves up to a whole different level.

A lot of the time, Hollywood will attempt to cover a specialized error, and usually fail, or at best only partially succeed, whereas Rounders managed to get everything 'spot on', just look at the US DVD, it has a commentary track from 4 World Champion Poker players, if that's not a stamp of approval then I don't know what is.

When you factor in how the film can be enjoyed by someone who has little to no idea about Poker (as I did when I first saw the film) just because of the tight story and stellar performances and also be 'immortalized' by poker enthusiasts as the best movie ever made on the subject (and truth be told, a big reason why the World Series of Poker has been doubling it's entries year after year) ... what you have here is a true gem that works on so many levels and what I believe is, as I said initially, one of the most widely underrated movies of our time.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (263 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Rounders (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Top 5 poker/hold em' movies smokebowls
Romantisizing an addiction... philippo_021
blogging on poker A_Voice_of_Reason
Top 10 greatest poker players STILL ALIVE / Fav.Players? soccerdragon128
Top things I've learned from Rounders Joushuusha
What does Teddy KGB say in Russian? toddbryan
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Buffalo '66 Undisputed The Last Seduction Phoenix Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.