Poker Love Stories: A Collection of Melodramas

Description: A young poker player, known as The Cincinnati Kid, challenges the legendary Lancey Howard in a high-stakes game, with love and ambition on the line.

Fact: The film was one of the first to depict poker with such intensity and realism. Steve McQueen was known for his love of poker in real life.

Description: Bret Maverick, a charming gambler, aims to win a poker tournament to start his own casino, with romance and adventure along the way.

Fact: The film was inspired by the 1950s TV series of the same name. Mel Gibson learned to play poker for the role.

Description: This film dives deep into the world of underground poker, where Mike McDermott, a law student, must navigate his love life and his passion for poker. The tension between his relationship and the game makes it a perfect fit for this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life poker players and their stories, providing an authentic look at the poker scene. Matt Damon learned to play poker for his role.

Description: Bernie Lootz, a "cooler" in a casino, has the ability to jinx winning streaks. His life changes when he falls in love, and his luck begins to change, affecting his job and his relationship with the casino owner.

Fact: The film was shot in Las Vegas, providing a realistic backdrop for the story. Alec Baldwin received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Description: A poker prodigy, Huck Cheever, must overcome his personal demons and a strained relationship with his father to win the World Series of Poker, all while falling in love with a singer.

Fact: The film features real poker players like Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson. Eric Bana learned poker for his role, spending time with professional players.

Description: While primarily a spy thriller, the poker game at Casino Royale is central to the plot, where James Bond must outwit a terrorist financier in a high-stakes game of Texas Hold'em, with love interests complicating matters.

Fact: The poker scenes were meticulously crafted with input from poker experts. The film marks Daniel Craig's debut as James Bond.

Description: A former military interrogator now makes a living as a card sharp, traveling from casino to casino, until a chance encounter with a young man and a woman changes his life.

Fact: The film was written and directed by Paul Schrader, known for his work on "Taxi Driver." Oscar Isaac plays the lead role, showcasing his poker skills.

Description: Jim Bennett, a literature professor with a gambling problem, finds himself in deep debt, leading to a complex web of relationships and high-stakes poker games.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name. Mark Wahlberg's character is based on a real-life professor known for his gambling habits.

Description: Molly Bloom, an Olympic skier turned poker hostess, runs an exclusive high-stakes poker game, where she navigates the world of gambling, law enforcement, and personal relationships.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Molly Bloom. Aaron Sorkin, known for his fast-paced dialogue, wrote and directed this film.

Description: A comedy about a poker tournament where the stakes are high, and the players are quirky, with romance and rivalry at the heart of the game.

Fact: The film features real poker players like Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly, who is also known for her poker prowess. The script was improvised by the actors.