17 Classic Casino Film Quotes

Movies about poker have undoubtedly produced some of the best film quotes of all time. You might have heard some of them used at the poker tables and thought them a powerful statement from a renowned poker player, only to later realize it's just a line crafted by a screenwriter. The source doesn't matter though—in truth, some movie characters often have far more profound insights or hilarious one-liners to share than real people anyway, right?

We’ve pulled together a list of the 17 best casino film quotes from some pretty iconic characters, so you can relive the fun, action and humour all in one place. Let’s go…

Casino (1995)

Chicago Outfit associate Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) knows everything about the casino industry and is given a Teamster-funded Tangiers Casino to run on behalf of the mafia. The mob bosses also send the notoriously violent and short-tempered Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) to ensure nobody interferes with the operation. At the same time, Ace loves the strong-willed and independent Ginger (Sharon Stone), who will be with anyone for the right price. Soon, everyone involved is consumed by Las Vegas, with deadly results.

"That's the truth about Las Vegas. We're the only winners. The players don't stand a chance," Sam Rothstein.

"Today, it looks like Disneyland. And, while the kids play cardboard pirates, mommy and daddy drop the house payments and junior's college money on the poker slots," Sam Rothstein.

"Downstairs he takes us for $2 million and upstairs he takes free soap, shampoo, and towels," Sam Rothstein.

Vegas Vacation (1997)

The Griswold family embark on another vacation, this time to the bright lights and fun of Las Vegas. What starts as a simple plan to spend some quality time together and renew Clark's (Chevy Chase) and Ellen's (Beverly D'Angelo) wedding vows among the glitz and glamour of Sin City, quickly descends into madness. Rusty (Ethan Embry), under the alias Nick Pappagiorgi, becomes a successful high roller, and Audrey (Marisol Nichols) unleashes her wild side with Cousin Vicky (Shae D'lyn).

"You don't know when to quit, do ya Griswold? Here's an idea. Why don't you give me half the money you were gonna bet? Then, we'll go out back, I'll kick you in the nuts, and we'll call it a day," Marty the blackjack dealer.

"Did you know that blackjack is the only game where a smart player has a mathematical advantage over the house?" Clark Griswold

"I haven't seen a beatin' like that since somebody stuck a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose," Cousin Eddie

5 Against the House (1955)

University students Al (Guy Madison), Ronnie (Kerwin Mathews), Roy (Alvy Moore) and Brick (Brian Keith) witness an attempted robbery at Harold's Club Casino while out and about one night. As a result, Ronnie becomes obsessed with planning the perfect heist. 

"I know this system is infallible because I worked it out myself," Ronnie. 

"A casino heist cannot be done," Police Officer. 

"I've just rubbed the queen of spades so hard I've turned it into a jack", Roy.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Fresh out of prison, master thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) has a grand plan to steal from three Las Vegas casinos and win back his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts). To pull it off, he assembles a team of elite thieves and conmen, including Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt).

"The house always wins. Play long enough, you never change the stakes. The house takes you. Unless, when that perfect hand comes along. You bet and you bet big, then you take the house," Danny Ocean.

"The moment you set foot on that casino floor, they'll be watching you like hawks. Hawks with video cameras," Livingston Dell

"They might as well call it whitejack," Frank Catton

Croupier (1998)

Disillusioned aspiring writer Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is forced to work as a croupier at a local casino to help pay the bills. However, he is soon consumed by the job and the casino lifestyle. After getting friendly with some of the regulars, Jani de Villiers (Alex Kingston) asks him to be the inside man for a planned robbery at the casino.

"Gambling's not about money, gambling's about not facing reality, ignoring the odds," Jack Manfred.

"Now he had become the still center of that spinning wheel of misfortune. The world turned around him, leaving him miraculously untouched. The croupier had reached his goal. He no longer heard the sound of the ball," Jack Manfred.

"It's all numbers. Spin of the wheel, turn of the card, time of your life, date of your birth, year of your death. In the book of numbers the Lord said, ‘thou shall count thy steps,’" Jack Manfred.

Rain Man (1988)

Selfish charlatan Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) discovers his recently deceased father has left most of his estate to a previously unknown older brother, Raymond "Ray" Babbitt, (Dustin Hoffman). Ray is an autistic savant and can remember and calculate numbers with superhuman ability. Charlie absconds with his brother and sets out across the country hoping to extort a larger inheritance. Eventually, misfortune forces the brothers to try Ray's abilities out at the casino with some good old fashioned card counting.

"You took my queen Ray, I've got a 10, I needed that queen," Charlie Babbitt.

"Look at all this glamorous merchandise, wheel of fortune, 20, definitely 20," Ray Babbitt.

"Somethings not right, there's no one in the world that can count a six deck shoe," Casino security guard.

The Cooler (2003)

Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is the best cooler in the business; his presence forces everyone around him to have bad luck, which is a considerable asset for casino boss Sheldon "Shelly" Kaplow (Alec Baldwin.) Bernie's days are numbered though as his indentured servitude at the Shangri-La Casino is coming to a close. His powers of bad luck also begin to fade thanks to cocktail waitress Natalie (Maria Bello). Shelly isn't about to let his best asset walk away without a fight though. 

"Lootz is kryptonite on a stick," Shelly Kaplow.

"Don't get me wrong. Nostalgia is great. We love nostalgia. But nostalgia belongs in a museum. I think there comes a time to decide whether you're running a museum or you're running a casino," Larry Sokolov.

"I gotta go, things are heating up on 14," Bernie Lootz.

Hard Eight (1996)

John Finnegan (John C. Reilly) loses all his money in Las Vegas, leaving him with nothing and a $6000 bill for his mother's funeral. An older seasoned casino player, Sydney Brown (Philip Baker Hall), takes pity on the hapless John and teaches him the tricks of the trade, while hiding his true motive. 

"Come on, Old Timer, you gonna join us here, my friend? Come on. I don't wait for old people, I don't wait for old people. Alright, here we go. Let's see another 7,” loud-mouth Craps player.

“I know three kinds of Karate: Jujitsu, Aikido, and regular Karate,” John Finnegan.

"So, you gave up big balls bets on the hard way to play keno, huh? What's that, a sign of aging?" Jimmy.

Rounders (1998)

Childhood friends Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) and Lester "Worm" Murphy (Edward Norton) are forced into the world of high stakes poker games to quickly pay off a large debt owed to Russian mobster Teddy KGB (John Malkovich).

"If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker," Mike McDermott.

"Every player can remember with remarkable accuracy the outstanding tough beats of his career," Mike McDermott.

"You can't lose what you don't put in the middle. But you can't win much either," Mike McDermott.

Molly's Game (2017)

Based on a true story, former Olympic-class skier Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) wades into the world of high stakes poker, eventually establishing a game attended by all manner of rich and powerful people.

"You know what makes you feel okay about losing? Winning," Molly Bloom.

"He played tight, didn't give a lot of action and always got his money in good, which means he was running the odds. In other words, he was playing poker and the others were gambling. And he won," Molly Bloom.

"Fear is the greatest thief of dreams and of a fulfilling life," Molly Bloom.

California Split (1974)

Buddies Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould) Bill Denny (George Segal) are long-time casino patrons searching for the ever elusive big payday, while contending with all the luck and dowsing's along the way.

"The man doesn't know how to play poker. The man is bad. He's a complete asshole. We all know that, right? The man goes broke, he can't handle it. The man is on tilt. You wanna hear any more?," Charlie Waters.

"I feel like a winner, but I know I look like a loser," Bill Denny.

"You get out of here. You're gonna kill the streak," Bill Denny.

Runner Runner (2013)

Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake) plays online poker to pay his way through college. However, after being cheated, he decides to confront the online casino owner, Ivan Block (Ben Affleck.)

"This is your job. You want a clear conscience, go start a charity. But if you want your own island, and your boss says you gotta go out there and take a beating, go out there. Take it. Come back to work. And say, 'Do you need me to do it again?" Ivan Block.

"That little voice in the back of your head right now, it's not conscience, it's fear," Ivan Block.

"Everyone gambles. They may call it something else, like the stock market, or real estate. But make no mistake, if you're risking something, you're gambling. And if you're gambling, then I'm the guy you want to see," Richie Furst.

The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Eric Stoner (Steve McQueen), known as "The Kid", is a hot shot player on the poker circuit in New Orleans. Stoner wants to beat an old master of the game, Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson), to forge a reputation as the new king of five-card stud.

"Money is never an end in itself; it's simply a tool, as a language is to thought," Lancey Howard

"Gets down to what it's all about, doesn't it? Making the wrong move at the right time," Lancey Howard.

"Listen, Christian, after the game, I'll be The Man. I'll be the best there is. People will sit down at the table with you, just so they can say they played with The Man. And that's what I'm gonna be," Eric Stoner.

Smart Money (1931)

Nick Venizelos (Edward G. Robinson) is a barber and the best poker player in his town. One day his customers gather a bankroll and send him to a high stakes game in the city to take on a famous card shark.

"This town is gettin' soft for me," Nick Venizelos.

"Well, Nick the Barber gave you a trimmin', huh? Well, I'll be seein' you boys," Nick Venizelos.

"Well, faint heart never won fair lady or fat turkey," Nick Venizelos.

Casino Royale (2006)

During a mission to foil a terrorist plot, James Bond (Daniel Craig) inadvertently bankrupts terrorist financier Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). MI6 then tasks Bond with ensuring Le Chiffre can't recoup his losses and force him to seek asylum with the British Government in exchange for information on his clients. The result is a climatic showdown at the poker tables.

"Just because you've done something doesn't mean you have to keep doing it," Vesper Lynd.

"Why is it people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?" James Bond.

"In poker you never play your hand. You play the man across from you," James Bond.

Maverick (1994)

Bret Maverick, a professional card player, is on a quest to win a few thousand dollars and enter a high-stakes poker tournament to achieve everlasting glory and riches beyond his wildest dreams. 

"My old pappy always used to say, there is no more deeply satisfying religious experience... than cheatin' on a cheater," Bret Maverick.

"Let's play poker; I'd rather be rich than dead," Bret Maverick. 

"I don't think that hand should count; my mind wasn't on the game," Johnny Hardin.

Poker Face (2022)

Tech billionaire Jake Foley (Russell Crowe) hosts a high-stakes poker game for his childhood friends, offering the chance to win huge stacks of cash. However, the evening quickly takes a turn when Foley reveals the sinister reason he has invited everyone over, a situation made worse by interloping art thieves.

"Maximize your wins, minimize your losses, and stay in the game as long as you can," Jake Foley.

"Be kind to each other. Don't be glass half empty or half full people. Be the kind of people who know whatever triumph or disaster comes along; you can always refill the glass," Jake Foley.

"Life is just a game right, it's all in how you read and respond to your opponents," Jake Foley.