Few shows and movies are quite as classic in themes as those portraying casino settings. Something about the relationship of luck and skill, and the personal intrigues that stem from the cloth clad tables draw us in like few others. Below, we recommend four casino-based series that the British population knows and loves.
Celebrity Poker Showdown
This show became a hit not only because it showed poker in real time, but because it showed well-known celebrities battling it out together. The show, which ran from 2003-2006, played eight tournaments in total over its five-season career. Each tournament invited 25 celebrities to play, and all the money was donated to charities. The show was packed with movie hotshots, including Carrie Fischer, Ben Affleck, Jordan Peele, Macauley Culkin, amongst others. The price money was divided from an original $250,000 USD pot for the first six tournament, and then $1,000,000 USD for the last two.
Feeling inspired? Today there are many options for live casino available on the market for those who want to try the classical game played in the show.
Peaky Blinders
The fictional series “Peaky Blinders” has turned out to be one of the largest hit-shows of the decade with seasons running from 2013-2022. The show follows the notorious Shelby gangster family in Birmingham, England after the First World War.
The family deals in the world of gambling and betting by accepting illegal bets and stealing from licensed bookmakers. Their activities lead to a commissioned detective investigation ordered by none other than Winston Churchill. The intrigues of crime and family are guaranteed to set you up for a binge-watching weekend.
Poker After Dark
“Poker After Dark” is a reality TV-series that has aired since 2007. The hour-long program follows professional gamblers as they play a week-long game while slowly upping the stakes. The viewers have full vision of the table and can hear all the participants as they are equipped with personal microphones.
The show used to air on a weekly basis but has since 2017 been showed monthly instead. During its long run the show has experimented with formats ranging from strictly professional sessions to professionals versus amateurs’ games, mixed occasionally with “director’s cuts” episodes from the tournaments. The participants play for a winner-takes-it-all sum of $120,000 USD.
Las Vegas
The title of this show alone lets you know that you are about to enter the world of gambling. The NBC comedy-drama “Las Vegas” aired 2003-2008 and had five seasons. It follows the employees at a fictional hotel and casino called Montecito and shows the backside of the stories we’ve all heard of the casino world. The show follows the classic 2000s style glamour as it tackles the various managerial issues that face the Montecito crew, such as security and