15 replies to this topic

[Bondpurist]

What is your favourite gambling sequence or game sequence in a Bond novel, Fleming, Gardner or Benson?
Is it the Baccarat game in Casino Royale? The Bridge game in Moonraker? The Blackjack game in Diamonds Are Forever? The Chemin der Fer game in Thunderball or OHMSS? The Mah-jong game in Zero Minus Ten? The possibilities are endless!

[Peter]

It's hard to remember all of those without sitting down to read them, but I know the Bridge game in Moonraker is brilliant, and I seem to remember sweating over the card game in Thunderball as well.

You can also add the GF golf game, I think.

They don't have as much impact in the movies, unfortunatly, because the audiences may not always be aware of what's going on in the games.

[Jeff007]

The Thunderball novel and in the movie when Bond plays Chemin de fur was the amazing. "Your Spectre against mine" That's classic!
That is my favourite.

Also the Backgammon in Octopussy was pretty slick.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Excellent question! I've always felt the Casino Royale gambling sequence was brilliant. It was even better after I saw the 1954 black and white film. The Mah-jong game in ZMT was also pretty tense and entertaining.

[Mister Asterix]

I'd have to say the Bridge game in Moonraker. That was the first time I understood the game of Bridge.

[RossMan]

Fleming-the baccarat game with Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.


For Benson I have to go with gambling sequence in Never Dream of Dying, with Le Gerant. I wish he would have expanded on that a little more though.

I don't think there was too much gambling or gaming or Gardner's books. More gaming than gambling, but I have to go with the race with Luxor in For Special Services.

[Dortmunder]

For the novels, I like the Chemin de fer in Thunderball and OHMSS. That is were I really understood the game. '54 Casino Royale movie also helped me to further understand it.

As for in the movies, I like the baccarat sequence in GoldenEye. I don't know what it is about that part, but I think it is great.

[brendan007]

the game in casino royale is definetly my faviorite. flemings writing is brilliant and makes it easy for the reader to follow what is happening. OHMSS's game with tracy is a close second.
i dont like the mah-jong game in ZMT. its the books only flaw, and the only thing in all the bond novels that i skip past.

[scaramanga]

I love the ice pick throwing contest and the game of golf (in which Bond doesn't win for once!) between Bond and Marquis in HTTK. This is Benson at his most Flemingesque IMO.

[Thunderbird]

Is that '54 movie of CR worth a look, I only realised it existed a couple of years ago but have never seen it?

[Carver]

Hmm, toughie, although of the limited amount of Bond books I have read, I'd go with the Chemin de Fer in TB. Very thrilling, and very Bondish. The Mah-jong game in ZMT is good too.

[Honey Rider]

Great subject to discuss. Especially as I'm trying to learn
the greatest tips for gambling...I think the best gambling-scene
I've read in a novel has got to be the last important game
in Casino Royale...and when Bond gets the two queens-
the worst possible...well I'm not gonna reveal what happens
after, but the scene is excelent! Fleming is my personal
favourite Bond-writer.

[zencat]

The '54 Casino had to be the best.

I also like the NSNA "domination" game sequence. Also the Octopussy backgammon game.

[zencat]

Oh, whoops! Books.

Okay, Casino is still number 1. I also like the Bridge game in Moonraker. Post Fleiming I really love the Mahjong game in ZMT and the ice pick throwing contest in HTTK.

[Dortmunder]

Originally posted by Thunderbird
Is that '54 movie of CR worth a look, I only realised it existed a couple of years ago but have never seen it?

It is definitely worth a look. Although it is in black and white, has an American Bond, and is less than an hour, it is still a great movie. The first time I saw it, I was surprised by how good it was. IMO, a must see for any Bond fan.

[Thunderbird]

Thanks Dortmunder.