When Rounders hit theatres in 1998, it didn’t immediately rake in a massive pot. But like a savvy card player biding their time, the film slowly gathered a cult following, becoming a must-watch for poker lovers and cinephiles alike. With its gripping portrayal of underground poker games and sharp performances from Matt Damon and Edward Norton, Rounders remains a favourite more than two decades later. Let’s shuffle through ten fascinating facts about this poker classic.
1. Matt Damon Immersed Himself in the Poker World
Before stepping into the shoes of Mike McDermott, Matt Damon made sure he knew his way around the felt. In preparation, he entered the 1998 World Series of Poker. While he didn’t win big, the experience gave Damon a taste of real-life poker, helping him add authenticity to his portrayal.
2. John Malkovich Created His Iconic Accent
One of the standout performances in Rounders comes from John Malkovich, who is the menacing Russian mobster Teddy KGB. His thick, often exaggerated accent wasn’t part of the original script. Malkovich chose to craft it himself, giving his villain a unique and memorable flair. Fans still imitate lines like “Pay that man his money” in Malkovich’s inimitable style.
3. Worm Was Based on a Real Person
Edward Norton’s character, Worm, who brings chaos wherever he goes, wasn’t purely fictional. In fact, screenwriters David Levien and Brian Koppelman based Worm on a real gambler they knew. This character’s untrustworthiness and reckless nature added tension to the movie, as his behaviour constantly threatened Mike’s poker dreams.
4. Real Poker Pros Loved the Movie
Despite a lukewarm reception from mainstream critics at the time of its release, Rounders became a hit with professional poker players. Many praised its authentic representation of the game and underground poker culture. Poker legend Phil Hellmuth even referred to it as “the best poker movie ever made.”
5. The Villain’s Cookies Were John Malkovich’s Idea
Teddy KGB’s habit of eating Oreos during high-stakes games wasn’t scripted. John Malkovich improvised the now-famous cookie-eating quirk, which has since become one of the character’s most iconic traits.
6. Rounders Boosted Poker’s Popularity
Though the poker boom is often credited to Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP win, Rounders played a significant role in setting the stage. The movie gave poker a cool factor, drawing new players to the game and sparking a wave of interest that would reach a fever pitch in the early 2000s.
7. Damon and Norton Faced Off With Johnny Chan
Mike recalls facing two-time WSOP Champion Johnny Chan at the table in one of Rounders’ most famous scenes. This wasn’t a CGI trick—Chan actually appeared in the movie, lending credibility and star power to the film. Damon reportedly played against Chan in real life as well, though the outcome wasn’t as cinematic.
8. The Script Got Hollywood’s Attention Quickly
The script for Rounders was a hot commodity in Hollywood. Co-writers Levien and Koppelman wrote it as a passion project, but once it hit the town, it was quickly picked up. The film helped launch their careers, and they’ve gone on to write other major Hollywood screenplays.
9. Rounders and its Sequel Rumours
Over the years, there’s been endless speculation about a Rounders sequel. While nothing concrete has surfaced, both Damon and Norton have expressed interest in returning to the poker table. Fans continue to hold out hope that we’ll see Mike and Worm deal another hand in the future.
10. The Mystery of Teddy’s Last Hand
One of the most intriguing unresolved elements of Rounders is the mystery of Teddy KGB’s final hand during the climactic showdown with Mike. Despite the tension, the film never reveals what cards Teddy held when he decided to go all in. Fans have debated endlessly about what those hidden cards could have been. Was it a bluff gone wrong, or did Mike simply outplay him? So what do you think his last hand was, and where would it be, in terms of the usual poker hand rankings? This open-ended question has fuelled fan theories for years, making Rounders even more legendary.
Rounders isn’t just a film about just poker games; it’s a story about loyalty, risk, and the high stakes of life itself. If you haven’t seen it, now’s the perfect time to check it out—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll figure out what was in Teddy KGB’s hand.
