Rounders: The Oreo Tell

Rounders: The Oreo Tell

I love the Oreo tell.

Rounders faced a problem with suspension of disbelief in the poker scenes because it needed a tell that was obvious to the viewer while at the same time not transcending plausibility. It was because of this –and product—placement that the Oreo tell fit so well into the narrative.

The tell was a fairly simple one: When faced with a big moment, Teddy KGB, the villain portrayed memorably by John Malkovich, would reach for his chip tray of Oreos and lift one. When he was weak, he’d twist the Oreo in front of his face, push the halves back together and place the Oreo back on the tray. He did this most memorably in the first hand of the climactic scene, when Mike raised all-in with pocket kings against Teddy’s ridiculous overbet.

When Teddy’s hand was good one, after moving the Oreo in front of him, he’s then sweep it by his ear, open it and eat the halves one at a time. He first did this in the film’s opening scene, when his aces full took Mike’s entire bankroll. The second time came in our Hand of the Day.

After winning his debt money, Mike allowed Teddy to goad him into another round of play. The Russian had taken back most of his lost chips and memorably teased “You must be kicking yourself for not walking out when you could. Bad judgment.” Adding “Don’t you worry son, it will all be over soon.” With board reading Ac-3d-5s, Mike reached for a stack of chips when Teddy started eating an Oreo. It was a moment of revelation.

Mike checked and Teddy bet out, the amount irrelevant. Mike had picked up his tell, and followed his conviction by folding Ah-5d, knowing he was losing to 2-4 and the straight. The proclamation proved correct when Teddy reacted with fury, realizing it was the cookies and throwing them against the wall. The interaction was enough to put Teddy on tilt, eventually giving Mike his roll and his life back.

For me, it was amazing to hear that so many people failed to spot the tell when they saw the film. I spent four years as a film major and learning to look for specifics in the shot, so maybe it was an easier spot for me. I guess that’s why I felt compelled to spell it out so blatantly here though.

The lesson the hand teaches us is a simple one. Keep your actions at the table simple. The more you distract yourself, the more likely your lack of concentration can cost you.

Gary Wise

gary@wisehandpoker.com

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