Owning Mahony is a must see.

3peet · Feb 17, 2015

I've seen all the gambling movies there are to see.
I truly believe this movie depicts our way of life down to a tee.

Now, lemme preface by saying that I no longer play. However, after just watching this movie it brings back to the places I never want to be again.

So glad im watching this movie from the other side of the fence. Definitely feels good not to be the perverbial "That Guy"

Everyone. If you haven't seen it already, find it and watch it. It'll literally be your wake up call.

The Guesser · Feb 17, 2015

It'll maybe be a wake up call if you have a gambling addiction. If you just play for fun, entertainment, and maybe even make a profit, I doubt it'll be a wake up call, because you don't need a wake up call. Most people who gamble fall into the second sentence(except for the profit part), not the first.
Sadly, depicting all gamblers as problem gamblers is one of the weapons used to keep things like Sportsbetting from being more accepted and regulated in this Country.

EverFresh · Feb 17, 2015

Great movie but disturbing

tanner12oz · Feb 17, 2015

I've posted about this film before. Solid movie and the most realistic portrayal of gambling addiction. Op is right and this is a must see if your a player. Based on true story as well

Bruins4Life · Feb 17, 2015

tanner12oz said:
I've posted about this film before. Solid movie and the most realistic portrayal of gambling addiction. Op is right and this is a must see if your a player. Based on true story as well

I used to spend time at the racetrack with Maloney's (real name) brother.

RunMaker · Feb 17, 2015

3peet, hook a dude up with a free link?

Where can I watch this?

3peet · Feb 17, 2015

hey RM. Not sure where i can offer a streaming link. Don't know too many sites in that arena. I found it last night on Cable (Comcast / Xfinity)
Now as far as ending up like Mahowny, I agree the end results is in the extremes. I mean the guy had access to hundreds of thousands of free money which he embezzled via his banking job. However the action of going on tilt, chasing, being in a deep hole and owing is what hit home for me. Also the relationships he ruined because the guy was basically ignored everything about his life accept for his next opportunity to hit Atlantic City or to get action on the next game. I sure as hell didn't go to those extremes, but I could definitely relate to many of the scenes. The whispering phone calls at work to place a bet, ignoring my surroundings and people around me because my whole life hinged on whether or not this final free throw was made. I could totally relate.

When I look back at that part of my life and the thousands I lost to my local, its funny because I wouldn't think twice about it. Hell I could've bought a few new cars or traveled to other countries many times with that money. Instead all I thought about was who's playing tonight and what action can I get.

One of the most profound lines in the movie made total sense. I'm paraphrasing because I can't remember it but it was the scene where the bookie and his partner were making fun of Mahowny after he'd just been paid. "He's not happy he won, he's happy he has enough for when he loses"

PatsFan1283 · Feb 17, 2015

I saw this movie awhile ago. Must've been close to 10yrs.

Unless you are a hardcore degen not really sure why it would be a wakeup call for you. If your personality is that addictive you need more help than just a wakeup call or epiphany that gambling is bad.

"Our way of life to a tee"....I'm guessing most here would say you are speaking for yourself on that 1

festeringZit · Feb 17, 2015

I saw the movie when it first came out.

Isn't that the one where he doesn't just bet a stack of chips in baccarat, he takes the whole case of chips, and bets them each hand?

One of the best gambling movies ever...

PatsFan1283 · Feb 17, 2015

festeringZit said:
I saw the movie when it first came out.

Isn't that the one where he doesn't just bet a stack of chips in baccarat, he takes the whole case of chips, and bets them each hand?

One of the best gambling movies ever...

It has been a minute but I think the movie was mostly about sports betting. He would just bet nonstop

Mini Driver played his GF I think.

festeringZit · Feb 17, 2015

PatsFan1283 said:
It has been a minute but I think the movie was mostly about sports betting. He would just bet nonstop

Mini Driver played his GF I think.

You must be thinking about a different movie. Brian Molony (the real person who Hoffman plays) lost his money playing table games
at Caesars Atlantic City.

festeringZit · Feb 17, 2015

Looks like he did do sports betting... but lost the major portion of it on blackjack/baccarat/craps?

"Mahowny was finally caught, but not before he embezzled $10.2 million and gambled away every cent. Blackjack. Craps. Roulette. Horseracing. Sportsbetting. Baccarat. With every bet, he got deeper and deeper into debt. He went to jail and supposedly never made another bet again with the help of Gambler’s Anonymous."

PatsFan1283 · Feb 17, 2015

Just read the wiki on this movie since I didn't remember much from it.

If this movie is a wakeup call to you then you might wanna get in GA, jeez....

tanner12oz · Feb 17, 2015

I'm gambler who says there have been times they have pushed a little too hard is full of it. I can relate..the self destruction not to the point of criminal acts or losing houses but making thing harder then they should be. When even winning isn't fun anymore. That's when I know I gotta cool my jets. When I'm playing not for the outcome but for the rush in between.

celticGreen+ · Feb 17, 2015

The book is GREAT - called Stung; hard to find these days... But in the back, as an appendix, there's a table of his wins/losses throughout the years he was stealing money, and gambling. The swings are just ridiculous. The book also goes into far more detail on how he stole the money.

Ribs, no sauce.

RunMaker · Feb 17, 2015

Good thread. Sounds like an entertaining movie. I'll see if I can find it somewhere. Thanks for sharing.

RunMaker · Feb 17, 2015

Got it! Full movie.

Also, this stars P.S. Hoffman. The guy was a great actor and he went out via OD'ing. Going to watch this. Thanks.

RunMaker · Feb 18, 2015

Great! Fuckign! Movie!

Wow. Loved it. If you gamble, you really should love this movie. Hoffman was incredible. Best gambling movie I've ever seen.
Also, this is the only movie I've ever seen that succinctly captured a "cover" in sports. Others have attempted, but this was so
perfectly portrayed -- and especially with the -1.5 line -- that it was fantastic. I'd have to check the box scores to see if it's historically
accurate that UNC missed two free throws with just seconds remaining while up by one point.

RunMaker · Feb 18, 2015

celticGreen said:
The book is GREAT - called Stung; hard to find these days... But in the back, as an appendix, there's a table of his wins/losses throughout the years he was stealing money, and gambling. The swings are just ridiculous. The book also goes into far more detail on how he stole the money.

Ribs, no sauce.

Ribs, no sauce... Ha ha. Nice one. Will have to check out the book.

theMadMan · Feb 18, 2015

Hoffman was good -as always

the rest of the acting was sub par as best.

OK watch.

Owning Mahony is a must see.

L5Y, USC is 4-0 vs SEC, outscoring them 167-48!!!

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