Rounders is perhaps one of the most iconic films to have ever been produced that revolves around the game of poker. Released in 1998, it features Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and John Malkovich.
Damon portrays the lead character of the film, as his role as Mike McDermott sees him return to the underground world of high-stakes poker in order to pay off his friend’s (Lester “Worm” Murphy) debt. He encounters Teddy “KGB” (Malkovich) at the final table in what would ultimately be the final scene of a film that has become a cult classic among poker enthusiasts.
What happens during the final scene?
A number of hands are played throughout the scene, with Mike winning the first hand. However, he is coaxed into the second game, which features a “double or nothing” stipulation. He loses and starts to fall back into owing money, but in the third game, he reveals KGB’s “tell”, thus winning and restoring the balance.
As the scene approaches its climax, the final hand begins. KGB is seen dealing the cards. The blinds have been covered, and Mike shows his hand to the camera. He is shown to have an 8 and 9 of Spades. Liking the hand that he has, he decides to double the blinds, and this leads to the flop: the 6 of Diamonds, the 7 of Spades, and 10 of Hearts are drawn.
In order to remain in the game and not give too much away about his hand, Mike decides to check. He has a top hand, but it is one he does not want to reveal too early, as the amount he can win from KGB is far from as high as he would be hoping to win in order to pay off his friend’s debt.
KGB clearly buys it, as he decides to raise the pot by 5x its amount, in an aggressive poker move that can sometimes be experienced when playing online or in tournament play. It is designed to try and scare the opponent off and make them fold, but Mike decides to call. Mike knows he has a good chance with his straight, and with a 2 of Clubs being drawn next, he is still in with a chance as a ‘rainbow’ has been revealed (cards of all suits).
This is because any chance of a flush has been eliminated. Mike realizes that the highest that KGB can possibly hold is a three-of-a-kind, which is still ranked lower than a straight. Despite knowing this, Damon’s character decides to check to keep the game going and to keep the quality of his hand a secret from Malkovich. In response, KGB decides to bet the entire pot.
Mike decides to call again. If he decided to raise or go all-in, then it could have given his position away. However, he is not completely safe. If a 6. 7. 10, or 2 were revealed with the final card, or even an 8 or 9, he could be in trouble. Thankfully, the Ace of Spades was drawn.
Mike Played a Top Poker Game
After the reveal, Mike knows that he cannot be beaten. There is no chance of a flush or a full house being achieved, thus making his straight the highest possible to win. The only way he could lose is if he were to encounter a set of Aces.
Knowing this, he decides to check. KGB decides to do exactly what Damon’s character would hope he would go all in on the pot. As he does, Mike decides to capitalize on the moment and calls in an instant, revealing his cards. He wins the game, much to the fury of KGB. Mike wins $60,000 and is able to help his friend, “Worm”, be able to pay his debt off.
Questions remain
While the scene is undoubtedly one of the most climatic in regard to poker movies, it is also one that continues to attract questions and attention. The scene from Rounders has been analyzed by professional poker players including Daniel Negreanu, while there have been questions about the hand that KGB had.
Malkovich’s hand was never revealed, thus adding intrigue into the type of poker game he was playing and whether he really had a chance of winning the pot. I guess we will never know!
