Don´t know anything about poker nor about the value of the different cards; in spite of it, I enjoyed the movie a lot; however I didn´t understand what really went on during the last hand; seems that the Kid lost due to some terrible mistake when he had everything in his favour, but don´t know exactly what and why. If somebody was so kind to explain it to me I would appreciate it.
shareWell the kid had a strong full house ...a very powerful hand....only 4 of a kind, a straight flush (all of one suit in order) or a royal flush (a,k,q,j,10 all suited) could beat it. The odds of having one of these three hands are highly improbable.
So it got down to the 'read'. That is reading your opponent (what his/her play style is or seeing mannerisms that tip you off (a tell)). The kid failed in his read.
But you really can blame the kid too much. Because the best poker players in the world probably would not fold such a strong hand. (It is known as a 'payoff' and in poker circles, because bets are strong and the losing hand is unfoldable)
Also, it's far more likely that Lancey has an ordinary flush which would only lose to an unlikely full house.
shareThis movie was unique in the way because the 'focal' character does not win in the end. It really is about how a person deals with defeat. Which is very important in the game of poker...and in life.
The ending shows that you get the feeling the kid will be just fine.