Shortest Day of the Year... Take Advantage of the Daylight!

First of all, PokerChest would like to wish you Happy Holidays ahead of time. We hope you're with loved ones at this time of year! Also, we would like to comment on how cruel it is that the last days before Christmas Eve and Day fall on the weekend! We all know what that means... long shopping lines, no parking spots, empty store shelves. Saturday, December 22, is going to be the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice, so your shopping time will be further mucked up by little daylight.

So thank goodness for online shopping. It's just clicking on items, racking up items that you can cross off your shopping list, and letting the packages arrive at the recipient's house. Isn't technology grand?

The Best 5 Poker and Casino Films

The holiday season is a good time to relax at home with loved ones, and since there are no decent movies about casino or card games out in the theaters, here is a list of good films available on DVD to catch. They're all about card games, casinos, and generally risk-taking struggles, and most importantly--they're entertaining flicks to watch!


1. Ocean's Thirteen (2007) A power blockbuster from this year, this movie will not impart any intense poker showdowns under smoky lamplight or reveal interesting psychological struggles. But it is a lot of fun. The star-studded cast includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Ellen Barkin, Don Cheadle, Eddie Izzard, and more. What makes the third installment of the Ocean trilogy extra thrilling is its premise: instead of carrying out a robbery, Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his cohorts lash out an enemy (Pacino) by sabotaging the opening of his new lavish casino. This translates into rigging the slot machines and games so that everyone, including high rollers and Everyday Joes, wins big. Very exciting stuff, and it could only happen in Hollywood.


2. House of Games (1987) Now, here is a small, thoughtful movie that is the complete opposite of the flashy Ocean's Thirteen. Starring Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay, and JT Walsh, this film details the misadventures of a psychiatrist named Margaret (Crouse) who falls for a conman named Mike (Mantegna). A gripping psychological tale directed by theatre dramatist David Mamet, its tight dialogue, plot twists, and intense ending will make you remember this dramatization about different types of bluffs and risk-taking for a while.


3. Casino (1995) Martin Scorcese directed this classic mob flick, which stars Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. DeNiro plays Sam, who is entrusted with the day-to-day operations of the fictional Tangiers casino by four major mafia bosses. Pesci is Nicky, a violent-tempered friend of Sam's whose main task is to protect Sam and the casino. (The mafia presence is important, as it illegally skims profits from the casino.) Sam falls for a beautiful hustler, Ginger (Stone), and these three volatile characters bring about both the rise and fall of Tangiers, which is said to be based on The Stardust Resort & Casino.


4. Rounders (1998) Again, Matt Damon appears on the list in this 1998 film as Mike, a former rounder (a person whose only income is from poker game winnings) who gets sucked back into the underground world of high-stakes poker. Edward Norton plays Worm, Mike's friend, who owes a big gambling debt and requires Mike's help. Mike struggles between the straight life, which encompasses his relationship with girlfriend Jo and his life as a law school student, and the life of a rounder. Although this film was initially released into modest success, it has now grown into a cult favorite among poker players.


5. The Cincinnati Kid (1965) Seen as another poker classic, The Cincinnati Kid is about a Depression-Era player who wants to become the best in the game. Steve McQueen, that Hollywood paragon of manliness, stars in the title role as Eric "The Kid" Stoner. He squares off against Lancey "The Man" Howard (Edward G. Robinson) in the film's climax. The last showdown, by the way, has been deeply analyzed by poker aficionados. Journalist and writer Anthony Holden calculates that the final cards shown in the two-handed game have only a "45,102,781 to 1" ratio of odds. Want to know what they were? Well, go on, queue up your Netflix or drive to your local video store right now!

How to Throw a Great Holiday Casino Party!

Everyone is rounding up invitations to house parties, office parties, and family reunions for this holiday season. Most of us have been to so many that it'd be nice to avoid the clichés (mistletoe, egg nog, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" playing in the background) and try something new. Because poker and other casino games have become so popular lately, why not throw a Casino Night for your office, place of worship, or home?

But wait, you say, places of worship? Not a problem. Hollywood Poker has a great article on how to use poker as a means for charity. For example:

Your buy-in and re-buy’s will cost you money, but the prizes you win will be something the organization has bought, or was fortunate enough to have donated by a business or community member. Prizes can range from gift certificates from a local restaurant all the way up to something like an iPod or flat screen television. All the money that is made from a poker charity event will go directly to what cause the organization is dedicated to working for.

But not everyone is into poker. Diversify the entertainment by having other card games and casino tables and offer games like craps or roulette or even raffles. Don't cheapen the party by renting used equipment or buying dollar store accessories! You can find some great items in a wide range of price, including in the clearance sections.

PokerParty's Women's World Open Aired Today

Once an all-male recreation, poker has been gaining in popularity among women for years. And now, PartyPoker has hosted a 36-player all-female event known as the Women's World Open. The live event was aired at 12:30 am in the UK and in Ireland, featuring big names like Liz "Poker Diva" Lieu and Hollywood actresses Jennifer Tilly and Shannon Elizabeth, who provided commentary as well as participated in the tournament. Other tournament players include former winners Beverly Pace and Pippa Flanders.

Do not be surprised if a female loved one of your own enjoys a game of Texas Hold 'Em or another game of chance. For this holiday season, maybe she would like custom chips with a bit of a feminine touch or timers for tournament poker game. These gifts would be a lot more original than a bottle of perfume or a gift card!

Five Must-Have Christmas Gifts for the Poker Player

Christmas is a great time for folks to get together for fun, and especially nice when your poker-playing loved ones have the chance to enhance their games! The following is a list of five gift ideas for fans of poker and other card games:

1. A gift for the poker player who wants to stand out: Custom Chips
Give your poker lovers a chance to express him or herself with a unique style. Instead of the same old poker chips, you can give them chips that are designed according to your own artwork submissions, or have a professional brainstorm the design.

2. A gift for the beginning poker player: Instructional and Entertaining DVDs, Videos, and Software Programs
Now your poker-playing friends and family members can hone their games with these helpful multimedia guides. They can watch and learn how to play like pros from these in-depth references, but watch out: if these gifts are for your own poker buddies, they may just put you at a great disadvantage!

3. A gift for the messy, disorganized player: Card Cases, Chip Trays and Holders, Chip Cases, and Money Drop Boxes and Toke Boxes
Your poker-playing loved ones will kiss you for helping them sort through the many cards, chips, and bills that clutter up the table. The money and toke boxes also offer some security and peace of mind while people are enjoying their games.

4. A gift for the high-roller player: Poker Tables
For those players who crave the authentic experience of Vegas playing, offer them the opportunity to play on a real table exclusively for card-playing! Some are light and convenient with fold-up legs, while others are crafted in high-quality wood and equipped with amenities such as cup holders and padded armrests.

5. A gift for the more humble player: Poker Table Tops
Not every poker player needs to give up a little luxury due to expense. A poker table top is a more affordable alternative to the complete table. Not only will these fine game accessories provide a true game atmosphere, but they are also conveniently portable for games that are played on the road!

These are just a few wonderful gifts that you can offer to the card players in your life. And when it's time to have that holiday break party, break them out for a grand old time!