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Generally in films, where there are four seedy characters sitting around a table billowing cigar smoke into the tense atmosphere, with whisky and ice clinking in glasses, and distrust can be seen in every darting glance, poker is what they’re up to. What a cool game, filled with suspense and high stakes, played by gangsters and cowboys and mysterious mistresses, cheating and bluffing and cards up sleeves. It’s no wonder it has appeal. And today, poker is one of the fastest growing pastimes, with almost everyone from children to pensioners and even celebrities fighting to be poker king.

Poker in movies and the celebrities that play the game

For a game that has been around for 200 years it sure does seem strange that the popularity is growing with such a boom only now. Maybe the online casino has shot the game into accessibility and therefore luring more into its folds. Or maybe it has something to do with movies.

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There have been some awesome films that include poker scenes, with some of the coolest characters playing hands. Movies like Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen, Joan Blondell and Edward G Robinson, The Sting, where Paul Newman pulls a fast one on known cheater Robert Shaw, or one of Matt Damon’s first films, John Dahl’s 1998 film Rounders, starring Edward Norton and John Malkovitch, and plenty more. Great movies that capture the unique spirit of poker obviously created cult like following of an old game. Even celebrities, bitten by the online casino bug, are playing and winning and some of them are top poker players in tournaments.

Tobey Maguire of Spiderman is apparently a ruthless poker player along with Ben Affleck, Michael Greco of East Enders, and Olympic gold medallist swimmer Michael Phelps. All of them poker kings in some way or form, playing for a lot of money.

Poker at home

Well the online thing is cool because there is a lot of money to be won, and there are huge tournaments to play, but there is some need for caution. In casinos and online gaming sites, gambling can become a huge problem, especially brutal when it comes to loan sharks and all those other underworld quirks, but you can host poker night at home as an alternative.

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What a great way to get the friends over for some dinner, when it’s followed by a great game of poker. Be the poker king in your circle of influence winning small things like keyrings and rugby game tickets, or only play for coppers. Poker night, with the right poker set and some cool accessories, just to bring in the style, could be the main event of every week. Rowdy. Suspense- filled. Safe. And you won’t leave completely bankrupt, which can happen.

Tips and techniques

Ok so you have some people around, with their poker faces on, and you need some help if you want to get through the evening without losing it all – whatever it is you’re betting. Here are some quick tips to get you started.

1. Don’t play every hand. Fold more. This way you lose more and get to learn from watching others play the game. Know your enemy, remember.
2. Don’t play drunk
3. Don’t bluff for the sake of bluffing
4. Only play when emotionally stable. Don’t play when you’re angry, sad or depressed. You’ll play with emotions and not rational thinking.
5. Pay attention to the cards on the table. Concentrate on the game always and try and stay ahead.

There are more tips and techniques to get you started. Now invite the friends over, play some jazz in the background, put out some snacks and get to that Texas Hold‘Em, five card draw, Badoogie or pineapple high/low.