Damon plays Mike, a guy with a hard-knocks childhood whose talent at poker earns him his tuition to law school. The loyalty goes beyond giving Worm a ride back into the city from prison. When Worm needs some start-up funds, Mike gives it to him, and when he needs Mike's help in cleaning out a few rich suckers in a card game, Mike gives that, too. Mike gives Worm everything, while Worm gives Mike nothing but trouble. Mike doesn't want any problems, preferring to play without cheating.
Rounders is basically a con-man film that glorifies the skill of making a quick buck.
The choice of poker as the grift takes the viewer past doors with those small, sliding windows and into smoky rooms with mesh cages. Memphis Flyer .