Cards on TV Roundup
by Alex J. Coyne © 2017 Great Bridge Links
We can’t be the only ones who feel a little tingly inside when we’re watching our favourite TV show and they happen to be playing cards. Here’s our round-up of some card games on TV shows, including poker, blackjack and, of course, the game of bridge. Get in touch and add yours to our list!
Bridge
Agatha Christie’s Poirot
Season 10 Episode 12
Agatha Christie’s Poirot ran from 1989 to 2013 and is like the Tales from the Crypt of crime stories. In this episode, entitled “Cards on the Table”, detectives are paired against possible suspects in what might just be the most suspenseful game of bridge ever played at the home of the wealthy Mr. Shaitana. It’s based on the novel of the same name, published in 1936. It was also adapted to a BBC Radio program.
The Love Boat
Season 5 Episode 12
What do you get if you cross bridge and a cruise? Well, apparently what the TV show “The Love Boat” (anyone remember the theme song?) calls “The Floating Bridge Game”. Vicki gets involved in a game of bridge, though soon prefers the attentions of a certain doctor aboard the ship above focusing on the finer points of the game.
How I Met Your Mother
Season 4 Episode 17
How not to play Bridge according to How I Met Your Mother: Marshall, Lily, Ted and Robin find themselves visualizing what life will be like when they’re all old as hell, sitting on the porch and playing cards. Not surprisingly, they called this episode “The Porch”.
Bones
Season 12 Episode 3
Booth and Brennan go off to interrogate Barbara Baker, played by veteran actress June Squibb, who is not in the least impressed to have her game interrupted. Booth: “Barbara Baker, can we speak to you for one moment?” Barbara: “Not now, I’m eighty-four and I’m playing Bridge. Whatever you need cannot be more important than playing Bridge.”
Poker
How I Met Your Mother
Season 9 Episode 5
Aptly titled, “The Poker Game’, Robin wins a wedding ring during a poker game, upsetting Barney. barney also plays the so-called Xing Hai Shi Bu Xing (“OK or not”), which nobody can quite figure out. Check it out over here (not currently available).
Family Guy
Season 11 Episode 21
Do you have a really terrible poker tell? It can’t be nearly as bad as Peter Griffin’s. If you’re really into Family Guy, you can also buy a Family Guy deck here.
The Mentalist
Season 1 Episode 6
Want to know how The Mentalist’s Patrick Jane does it? In the sixth episode of Season 1, he explains:
“In my mind I’ve made every card in the deck into a vivid character. The Jack of Hearts, a ballet dancer with devil’s horns. Two of diamonds? A duck smoking a cigar.” Why a duck? “Doesn’t matter,” he says. “Every card is a lving thing , every position in the deck is a location in my memory palace.”
Playing Cards with TV show designs
You know you want an I Love Lucy deck for your next bridge party. Navigate yourselves over to Amazon.com and you’ll find lots of playing cards wtih TV show designs (it’s our affiliate link thanks for your support)!