Cinema Poker: Molly's Game – Everything in One Card

Roller coaster between extremes

Molly Bloom was born on April 21, 1978 in Loveland, Colorado, USA and actually wanted to be a skier. Like her brother, Jeremy, Olympic ski world champion. Her father, a psychology professor at Colorado State University, drilled both of them on the slopes. Molly also made it into the top 3 of North American mogul skiers until a back injury shattered her dream. The already strained relationship with his father continued to deteriorate. Where should she go? Mediocrity was never an option for anyone in the family. Back then, Bloom only went to California to recharge his batteries for another year - to study law at Harvard. She had already secured the place, but things turned out differently.

Instead, the attractive ex-athlete made herself popular with influential guests in the dark back rooms of the Viper Room. “I could read my audience,” says Bloom, “emotional intelligence” was her weapon. In fact, she skillfully paired her sex appeal with discretion and professionalism: Bloom's influence over the select circle grew to such an extent that the players ultimately rallied behind her when her boss tried to boot her out. As a result, Bloom moved the game round with the Casino high rollers in the exquisite rooms of noble hotels. She had champagne served by beautiful women and was now head of what was probably the most secret and richest poker game in the world.

Participation, the so-called buy-in, at Molly Bloom's poker table initially cost $10,000. There were ten pitches and games were played six days a week. Bloom chose her guests carefully. Receiving an invitation from her was considered a status symbol. She was not influenced by alleged bribes - gifts such as expensive trips, gold bars or expensive cars, as she says. The men in the group respected her completely. There were no sexist innuendos. Soon the buy-in was over $300,000. “The eyes change, the humanity disappears, and the players become bloodthirsty predators,” Bloom writes in her memoir, about people’s greed that “can’t stop.” She tells of players who gambled away $100 million in one night.

Not barking and not singing

Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Matt DAmon and Tobey Maguire were among their guests, as well as various top athletes, stock market sharks and corporate bosses. The public will probably never know who exactly, when and how often - and the film doesn't reveal any more than is already known. After her arrest, despite being imprisoned for more than ten years, she didn't tell the FBI any more than the agents already knew. The name Molly Bloom stood and stands for absolute integrity. There were many voices who tried to prevent the release of the film, says a recent report Star report : “So many famous, powerful people have played with me and they were afraid of the stories I would tell about them.”

However, there was one thing Bloom didn't care about: actor Tobey Maguire, the most influential player at the table, who repeatedly introduced rich gamblers to the table. Bloom calls him a “string puller” and describes him as a borderliner and a sore loser. For a $1,000 chip tip, Maguire asked Bloom to crawl on the table and bark like a seal, which she had to refuse several times. The fact that Spiderman actor Maguire, who is considered a smart gentleman, entered into a power struggle with her - which Bloom ultimately lost - seems just as strange and bizarre as the sentence Bloom received in 2014: one year on probation, a $1,000 fine plus 200 hours of community service. Shortly after the verdict, Bloom launched her book. They say Bloom learned what a comeback looks like while playing poker.

The film “Molly’s Game” was nominated in the “Best Adapted Screenplay” category at the 2018 Oscars. So far the film has been quite successful in terms of box office receipts. It has also been shown in German cinemas since March 8thIGT. According to Wikipedia, around $46 million has been grossed so far. Molly Bloom's mountain of debt from legal fees and tax refunds has now been reduced to 'just' a million dollars. So maybe there is more to it.

If you don't feel like playing illegal poker in some back room because you're not necessarily looking for the thrill, you should look for alternatives . Of course you can play a game with your closest friends, but the really high stakes are not thereigt. So what should you do if you want to play a game late at night or if there is generally no opportunity to do so in the area? In one Live online casino you have the opportunity to compete against real people and real dealers 24/7. You can enjoy the casino atmosphere, place high bets without leaving the house and so. Online casino legal gamble and at one Online poker provider play. In addition, you can also play the games on the go on your smartphone or tablet.

Cinema poker: Molly’s Game – everything in one card