Top 5 James Bond Casino Moments
James Bond has always been associated with high stakes, glamour, and intrigue. There is no better setting to capture all of these characteristics than in the environs of a casino.
Throughout the history of Sir Ian Flemmings's famous creation, there have been some truly unforgettable casino scenes, each one raising the bar higher than the last.
In this article, we will explore the top 5 best James Bond scenes featuring a casino.
Casino Royale (2006) - The Poker Game
It's impossible to talk about James Bond casino scenes without mentioning one of the iconic poker game scenes in Casino Royale. A good chunk of the movie plays out showcasing an ongoing poker game. In this high-stakes game, James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) goes up against Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen) in a game of Texas Hold 'Em poker, with a $10 million buy-in.
The scene where Bond returns to the table after being poisoned by Le Chiffre is not only one of the best casino scenes in the Bond franchise, but also one of the most memorable scenes in the history of cinema. It is hard not to feel goosebumps when Bond unveils his cards to show a winning ‘straight flush’ hand.
The tension in the room is palpable as Bond and Le Chiffre go head-to-head, each one trying to outsmart the other. The scene is beautifully shot, with close-ups of the cards and the players' faces adding to the suspense. The poker game is not just a backdrop to the action but is central to the plot, making it one of the most thrilling and memorable scenes in the entire Bond franchise. It also introduced us to Daniel Craig’s darker version of Bond and with this movie, we knew the character of 007 was in safe hands.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971) - Craps Game
In this classic Bond film, Sean Connery's James Bond finds himself in Las Vegas, where he takes on the villainous Blofeld in a game of craps. The scene is a masterclass in highlighting Bond’s cool demeanour, with Connery delivering his lines with suave confidence.
The game itself is fast-paced and exciting. The stakes are high, with Bond putting up $50,000 of the government's money. In the end, Bond comes out on top, winning the game and proving once again that he is the ultimate gambler.
Skyfall (2012) - Macau Casino
In Skyfall, James Bond (once again played by Daniel Craig) finds himself in a high-stakes game in a Macau casino. This scene is not only visually stunning, with the neon lights of the casino creating a dazzling backdrop, but it is also one of the most intense in the entire Bond franchise.
In the scene, Bond is trying to track down a villain named Patrice, who is about to sell a list of undercover NATO agents. In classic 007 fashion, James finds himself engaged in a brutal fight, falls into a Komodo Dragon pit but escapes with elegant grace while his foe is gobbled up by the animals. The scene is a perfect blend of action and style, making it one of the most iconic in the entire Bond franchise.
GoldenEye (1995) - Baccarat Game
In Goldeneye, Pierce Brosnan's James Bond takes on Xenia Onatopp (played by Famke Janssen) in a game of baccarat. The scene is both elegant and intense, with the two players engaging in a verbal sparring match as they play the game.
GoldenEye is notable for the presence of Judi Dench as M, who takes on the role of Bond's mentor and sparring partner. Dench's performance is a perfect foil for Brosnan's suave charm, making this film watershed in the Bond franchise and bringing it into the 21st century.
Before the release of GoldenEye, there was controversy in some quarters about the credibility of a female ‘M’ being able to control the rebellious Bond. Yet, after seeing Judi Dench’s portrayal of M, it’s hard seeing anyone else in the role, despite Ralph Fiennes's best efforts.
Dr. No (1962) - Chemin de Fer Game
I admire your courage, Miss…??
Trench. Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mr…?
Bond. James Bond
Dr No. (1962)
And with that exchange of cinema dialogue, the world was introduced to James Bond, along with the man who brought Sir Ian Flemming’s fictional MI6 spy to life on the big screen, Sean Connery. Of course, it’s impossible not to include our very first image of a suave, sophisticated, Bond in our list of top 007 casino moments.
For many of us, James Bond is the ultimate gambler, risking a lot more than just his paycheque whenever he would step foot into a casino.
James Bond is one of the most famous characters ever created and a hero to most young people who grew up watching his movies. But it is worth remembering, he is a piece of fiction, created as propaganda for the Western countries during the cold war. He had the backing of the UK government's money while he went toe-to-toe with villains like Le Chiffre and Blofeld.
So, whenever you feel like you are losing control of your gambling at the casino, it’s important to step away.
With an education from the University of Cambridge and while working with iGaming for the last 6 years, Stephen has obtained a lot of knowledge about the industry. He usually writes about the different types of online casinos, casino bonuses and various gambling strategies.
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