Even if you’ve never visited a real-life casino, you’ll probably recognise the roulette wheel. One of the most popular and easy games to play, it’s also one of the most iconic.
Over the years, roulette has featured in many blockbuster movies, making it synonymous with glitz and excitement. Here are five of the best movies that give the roulette wheel a starring role.
Diamonds Are Forever
James Bond is the very epitome of glamour and sex appeal, so it’s perhaps not surprising that he’s so closely associated with casinos. With a glass of martini in his hand – shaken, not stirred – Bond frequently shows off his expertise at the tables.
In Diamonds are Forever, it’s the roulette table that takes centre stage as the undercover spy keeps one eye on the wheel and the other on events unfolding around him. What’s unusual about this scene is that viewers get to see the strategy that James Bond employs at the roulette wheel.
And this is the big secret of roulette: it’s not simply about good luck. All the pro casino players who know how to win roulette games use tried-and-tested strategies. While no method is foolproof, having a system will help focus your efforts.
The way that James Bond played in Diamonds are Forever is now a recognised roulette strategy. Combining inside and outside bets and using a flat stake every time, all of the numbers are covered bar 1-12. This leaves some room for loss, but overall, enthusiasts say that it’s a profitable method.
If you don’t fancy following in James Bond’s footsteps, there are other popular roulette strategies that could help you to win such as Martingale which is based on doubling losing stakes. Whichever one you pick, make sure you understand it before you start and have fun while playing!
California Split
Starring George Segal and Elliott Gould, this 1974 film is all about gambling. Capturing the thrill of an illicit bet, California Split follows the fortunes of two men as they strike up an unlikely friendship based on a shared love of the casino.
As you might expect, roulette is one of the most regular games that the main characters play – and surprisingly, they win. Playing craps and poker along with roulette, the wins come rolling in until George Segal’s character decides to quit, and walks away from it all.
Casablanca
Some films are true classics and Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart falls into this category. An older film, released in 1942, Casablanca follows the story of bar-owner Rick, and his desperate plans to escape the area which is under German occupation.
There are many memorable scenes in this movie, but there’s one in particular which takes place at the roulette table. Two players are gambling everything they have to try and win enough money to get away. Rick makes sure they win at roulette, on lucky number 22, so they can afford to flee to America.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
With Michael Caine and Steve Martin in starring roles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was always likely to be a hit. A comedy full of belly laughs that was later made into a musical, the film follows two rogue gamblers who make a wager with each other. To win, each must con a woman out of her fortune, as well as being the last one standing.
The plot is full of comedic twists and turns but one of the most famous scenes takes place at a posh casino, playing roulette where Steve Martin is pretending to be in a wheelchair.
Run Lola Run
A German arthouse thriller, Run Lola Run begins with a desperate phone call from Lola’s boyfriend. He has lost a bag with 100,000 Deutschmarks and he’s due to meet the big crime boss in 20 minutes. Without the money, he will be killed.
Reminiscent of Sliding Doors, this film is split into three parts, each showing how a small decision changes the course of events. In the first two parts, the path chosen leads to tragedy. However, in the third and final part, Lola visits a casino and wins at roulette – a total of 129,600 DM – and she finally gets her happy ending.
