When it comes to gambling and movies neither one is a new form of entertainment and the two have often formed partnerships over the years. There have been many movies about poker specifically as well as numerous other movies about gambling in general.

In fact, the first motion picture featuring a game of poker, 'Beresford and the Baboons,' was released as early as 1919. Although some movies use the game as a means to give a boost to the plot, many put the game in the center and build the entire plot around it.

Even those that are not avid gambling fans have enjoyed seeing poker in movies because it attaches more of a meaning to it depending on the story line.

When one looks at both ends of the spectrum regarding movies where the game is really at the center, probably one of the earliest movies would be "A Cure for Pokeritis" and one of the newest being "Casino Royale."

Of course we really cannot leave out all those old classic Western films that weren't really focused on the gambling, but they sure had lots of scenes relating to it. More than once some character was being shot for cheating at a game of cards.

Although most often the poker films depict gambling as being something that is based on cheating and leading to unfortunate circumstances, there are also many that show the intrigue, excitement and most often lucrative side to poker and other forms of gambling.

Then there are those movies that depict the tragedy of what can go wrong when a poker player turns pro, hits the top and doesn’t know how to handle the glory, fame and money that comes with the position. Movies like Stu Ungar is a classic example of this. Although this is one of the films that puts aspects of the game in a very bad light, it must be remembered that it wasn’t the game itself that destroyed Ungar.

One thing about poker movies is what it brings out in the producers. It almost seems to portray their take of the game and what it stands for itself. Take for example Rovin' Gamblers which was the story of 6 young gamblers.

Director Rebekah Sindoris focused all of the attention on each gambler's life and how it centered around the game of poker.  Naturally the director has to follow the script, but it’s the director that brings these poker movies to life. It obvious this poker film was based on the effects of the game away from the table as well as at it. It also was ingenious in the way it portrayed the game both from the top of the ladder and the bottom.

The higher ups in Hollywood are certainly not going to make any investment in films that that they feel won't be a hit. Obviously they are of the opinion that the gambling world is well worth investing in, otherwise we wouldn't have the top poker movies that we now enjoy.