There are many movies out there that have starred famous people from one realm or another. However, did you know that in some films, there are renowned poker players who make appearances? Yes, that’s right, famous poker players. They’re not always the go-to, but they have starred in some great movies nonetheless.
7 Days To Vegas
Most people reading this will have, at one time or another, made wagers with their friends over silly things. And, in 7 Days To Vegas, a hit comedy from 2019, you could say that they run with this idea and very much take it to the extreme. You see, Duke, the protagonist in this film, is attempting to make his way to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in a week on foot. And if he manages to pull it off, there is a stunning $1 million up for grabs. Starring in the movie is three-time World Series of Poker champion Antonio Esfandiari, with the Iranian also working sets of many flicks over the years.
Runner Runner
You can’t really mention Antonio Esfandiari without a mention of his close friend Phil Laak, who is also an excellent poker player in his own right. What is telling is that usually, it’s a case of Esfandiari and Laak having involvement in the same films, which shows how close they are. However, if you head back to 2013, Laak appeared in Runner Runner, a crime thriller which involves online gambling and a potential swindling. Laak’s involvement certainly made a lot of sense because of how he is portrayed both at and away from the table. And this has been underlined by the massive appeal of online casino table games since, in relation to the plot and Laak’s name being in the credits.
Lucky You
We’re going to mention the hit poker movie Lucky You in relation to Daniel Negreanu because it makes sense to do so, as he’s one of the most famous poker players of all time. The film tells the story of a poker player who is balancing off his love for poker and his love affair. It’s a plot that many will buy into, as there are so many twists and turns along the way. However, this is Negreanu we’re talking about, and it isn’t his first rodeo in the entertainment industry. The Canadian has appeared in multiple films over the years, as well as TV shows, as he’s one of poker’s most recognisable faces.
Poker is one of the most popular card games, and now that poker tournaments and events are being broadcast more often, players have become more famous. So naturally, it’s led to there being a more significant public demand to see them away from the poker table, which has meant they are often cast in movies, especially those that involve games of poker. Because, who better to play poker players than poker players themselves, right?