Few movies have changed us when we grew up. Casino Royale was one of them for me. It’s where I was first introduced to the Texas Hold’em games and tried it in my first online casino – Lukki NZ – a couple of months later. And I got hooked on it all. I mean watching James Bond competing in a high-stakes game against Le Chiffre, the drama and tension while playing poker… It’s just what you would want if things turned out boring, right?
Interestingly, poker also offers us some life lessons, like we see in Molly’s Game. If you like playing, you’ll know how important smart thinking and quick decision-making is in this game.
Molly Bloom built her empire that way – and that’s what her movie is about.
What Lessons Can You Get from Molly’s Game?
Many gambling movies feel fake. But Molly’s Game is different. It is based on the true story of Molly Bloom. She was a former skier who moved to L.A. after an injury.
She started running high-stakes underground poker games for celebrities. Her players included business leaders and Russian mobsters. The movie follows Molly’s journey to success and her arrest by the FBI. I admit the movie had some details that seemed a bit dramatic. But the story was real – and a lot of it did happen. And here is what I think you can learn from it.
Know the Game Inside Out
Molly did not play poker at first, but she dove in and studied it hard. She learned everything about the rules and even researched the players. As she knew the game well, she could manage the tables better and attract top players.
What’s the takeaway here? I will list a few for you.
- Knowledge is the key.
- When you know more, you can make better decisions.
- It does not matter if you play poker or run a business.
- Take time to understand the rules in your field.
Learn When To Fold
Molly’s biggest mistakes? She did not fold when the FBI got involved. You do not need to play every hand in poker. It only drains your chips and leaves you with nothing. It is a game where timing is everything. And waiting too long to fold costs you the whole game.
If you feel like having a hard time quitting the game when it’s time, try to switch to other less strategic games like slots; try new slot games in demo modes – this way, you won’t lose anything and develop a habit of unplugging when necessary.
Be Calm Under Pressure
Do you know what made James Bond win in Casino Royale? He did not let his emotions show when playing the game. In Molly’s Game, we see that knowing the rules is not enough. The real winners were the ones with strong minds.
Sometimes, a straight face makes the difference between winning and losing. And yes, it’s kind of harder than you would think. Calmness helps you think clearly and avoid making mistakes in poker.
Manage Risks Wisely
Here’s the thing – you don’t want a win-all lose-all situation. Molly also took risks by running high-stakes games. But she was smart about it. She kept detailed records and set rules to protect her business.
She might get the feeling of “playing in a room full of sharks.” But she knew the dangers and managed them carefully.
Read People Well
Do you know what makes professional poker players succeed more than those who play it for recreation? A study in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction says it’s about persistence, talent, and dedication.
The number one talent I would tell that’s important? Reading people’s minds. It will give you an edge when you understand others’ behaviors.
Molly was good at reading people. She could spot a good poker player easily. She knew when someone was bluffing. She also understood people’s motives and weaknesses around her. This helped her build strong relationships and run her games smoothly.
You might also have heard that line, “It’s not about playing the cards; it’s about playing the man.”
One Bonus Tip
Trust your instincts, but check the facts. Molly relied on her instincts to decide who could join her games. However, she also made sure to do her research.
You might trust your gut and hold a bad hand. But you could end up losing big without solid information. Ignoring the details can be costly in poker. It might leave you nothing when you least expect it.
Key Points From Molly’s Game
- Study the game: You will do better when you know more.
- Stay calm: Pressure comes with the territory. But you should not let it break you.
- Manage risks: Smart decisions mean weighing the risks.
- Read people: It helps you make better decisions when you read people.
- Know when to quit: Knowing when to stop helps avoid making risky decisions.
Final Say
Molly’s Game gives us so many great life and poker lessons. It is not a fairy tale where everything ends perfectly. Molly did not win. But she learned her story to show us what to do.