The Best Poker Documentaries Worth Watching

Want to discover poker as a world with its own heroes, dramas, and history? 

It doesn't matter whether you're a beginner who wants to learn how it all started, or an experienced player curious to peek behind the scenes of the big tournaments — a good documentary will show poker as it really is.

Our selection includes six films that everyone should watch. They tell poker's story from the human side: from the frantic pace of the first online rooms to the hardcore grind of modern pros.

All In: The Poker Movie (2009)

(IMDb rating: 6.7/10)

A film that takes on the task of telling the entire story of modern poker — from underground clubs to the worldwide boom sparked by Chris Moneymaker's WSOP 2003 victory. In essence, it's an attempt to merge a timeline of events with portraits of the era's key figures. 

Everyone shows up in the film — from Matt Damon to Kenny Rogers, as well as Daniel Negreanu, Chris Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth, Howard Lederer, Chris Moneymaker, and many others.

Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker (2016)

(IMDb rating: 7.2/10)

If "All In" is a look at poker's history in broad strokes, then "Bet Raise Fold" is a serious conversation. The film is focused on online poker and, more importantly, on its collapse in the US after "Black Friday."

At the heart of the story are three different fates: Danielle Andersen — a young single mother who provides for her family by playing, analyst Tony Dunst, and Canadian high roller Martin Bradstreet. The film shows their rise during online poker's "golden era" and how, in a single day, "Black Friday" destroyed their accustomed way of life. The picture isn't afraid to ask uncomfortable questions about morality, regulation, and gambling addiction.

The Gambler (2013)

(IMDb rating: 7.2/10)

A chronicle of the life of 27-year-old John O'Shea, who pulled off the classic "escape from the office" for the sake of poker. Holding a prestigious master's degree and a promising accountant position at the giant KPMG, he quit right after winning his annual salary in an online tournament in a single night.

The film shows his journey from the Irish Poker Open to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. It's a chronicle of colossal emotional and financial swings.

The main question the film poses is: "What's it like to lose €100,000 in a single day?" John O'Shea speaks with utmost honesty about his strategies, about how pros "hunt" inexperienced players online, and also openly admits his addiction to adrenaline and his fear of total bankruptcy. This film strips the Hollywood gloss off poker, showing a player's life without embellishment.

Nosebleed (2014)

(IMDb rating: 7.7/10)

One of the most underrated poker documentaries. The picture focuses on the closed world of ultra-high-stakes cash games.

At the center of the story are two of the best French online regulars of their generation: Alex Luneau and Sébastien Sabic. Having earned millions of dollars in their London apartment, they head to Las Vegas for the WSOP. The film shows their obsession with the game: from stalking Gus Hansen to attempts at winning the coveted gold bracelet.

A genuine, intimate, and atmospheric piece of cinema, shot by independent director Victor Saumont. He managed to pull off the impossible — making private high rollers forget about the camera. The film vividly proves that high stakes is not a glossy life with supercars, but colossal psychological pressure, sleepless nights, and an exhausting battle with variance. 

KidPoker (2015)

(IMDb rating: 7.3/10)

Perhaps the most popular poker documentary and the only full-fledged biopic of a living legend — Daniel Negreanu.

The film traces Negreanu's path from a teenager playing for money in the basements of Toronto to the status of multiple WSOP bracelet winner and one of the most recognizable faces in the global industry. Directors Gary Davies and Francine Watson skillfully build the picture along the classic lines of a quality sports drama: with falls, perseverance, and a triumphant climb to the top.

Watch it to understand how "reading" people and a positive attitude help in the game, and how that turns a player into an icon.

The Ultimate Stack (2024)

(IMDb rating: 6.1/10)

The most recent film on the list. "The Ultimate Stack" offers a modern look at the current state of the game, focusing on the WPT World Championship 2023 at Wynn Las Vegas — an event with a $40,000,000 prize pool.

The film leads the viewer through all the circles of the main tournament — from top professionals to amateurs who qualified through $10 satellites and ended up at the same table as legends. The picture reconstructs the grand event minute by minute, from day one to the final table, where millions of dollars were on the line and the fate of the title was decided by a brutal cooler hand.

The camera uses a "follow the chips" technique. The director picks a player at the start, and after they bust out, instantly switches to the opponent who took their stack. This chain stretches through the entire event — from beginners to the final heads-up, where the holder of that very Ultimate Stack is determined.

It's the perfect option for those who want to see the "new school" of poker: modern aggressive strategies and the newest generation of high rollers. The film serves as an excellent bridge between the game's classic history and its digital future.