Steve McQueen stars as a stud poker player nicknamed the Cincinnati Kid in this film. The Kid is rising in the poker world, and as the rebel, he takes on the champion William Jefferson played by Rip Tom. Lancey Howard, played by Edward Robinson, creates tension as the card-dealer and a friend of Kid. Howard's wife Melba, played by Ann-Margaret, spends most of the film trying to get together with Kid through flirting & sultry behavior. Kid already has a girlfriend, played by actress Tuesday Weld, to whom he doesn't give enough attention or time because of his focus on poker. More than half of the film is a buildup to the game, which takes place in the last 30 minutes of the movie.

The buildup and some scenes seemed to drag on occasionally. Having said that, McQueen stole the show in every scene with his cool, arrogant, and calm personality. Nicknamed the "King of Cool", McQueen always stood out with delicate facial expressions, personality, and charming aura. The beautiful Ann-Margaret held her own here from an acting perspective, despite being mostly used as a sex symbol. Her charismatic elegance, sexy behavior, and seductive way of talking with her eyes make it difficult to not focus on her. Robinson masterfully showed the inner conflicts of his troubled character.

Would I recommend this? It's an entertaining film with intriguing filming in 1960s New Orleans with classic Jazz music, but not a must-watch. If you are a fan of poker or Steve McQueen, it's a movie you will watch. McQueen wasn't in many movies because he spent his early days on television and died young, near the peak of his Hollywood career.