Read more about Mike McDermott at: Wikipedia Official Site: Miramax Rounders is a 1998 film about the underground world of high-stakes poker. Directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, the movie follows two friends who need to quickly earn enough cash playing poker to pay off a large debt. The term "rounder" refers to a person whose primary means of earning a living is by playing cards. The movie opened to mixed reviews and made only a modest amount of money. However, with the growing popularity of Texas hold 'em and other poker games, Rounders has become a cult hit. Based in New York City, Poker player Mike McDermott [Damon] loses his entire bankroll in a hand of Texas hold'em against Teddy "KGB," a Russian Mobster who runs an illegal underground poker room. Mike then decides to concentrate on his law school studies while promising his girlfriend and fellow law student Jo to not gamble. Mentor and fellow rounder Knish offers a part-time job driving a delivery truck to make ends meet. Time passes, and Mike is true to his promise. He does not play cards, and focuses on school and work until his childhood friend Worm [Norton] is released from prison. Worm is also a card player, who owes an outstanding debt accumulated before his incarceration. At Worm's influence, Mike is soon rounding again, which interferes with his schooling and causes both internal conflict as well as turmoil with Jo. |
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Mike McDermott