Ante up

"California Split" (1974)

The movie: Robert Altman's characteristically loose and observant portrait of two buddies (George Segal and "Ocean's" star Elliott Gould) who feel most alive when putting their hides on the line in games of chance.

Game of choice: Anything that involves a hefty amount of cash in play, with poker gaining slight favor over other gambling pursuits

Winning or losing hand?: Jackpot! Altman’s constantly roving camera and unparalleled gift for creating an air of spontaneity breathe cinematic life into scenes of card-gazing characters sitting around a table. The Reno-set climax immerses the viewer in the central duo's hot-streak buzz before arriving at a bittersweet ending that's simultaneously surprising and inevitable. Though not one of Altman's best-known works, the film has gained a reputation over time as one of the hidden gems of the creatively vital '70s.