What James Bond can teach us about investing

In Casino Royale (2006), one of the most intense scenes in the film is when James Bond sits at a poker table with antagonist Le Chiffre, with tens of millions of dollars on the line.

- KEITH LIM

Bond is at the final table in a high-stakes game. The kind of game where you don’t just lose chips—you lose your reputation. There are four players left, and the pot is massive.

The dealer puts the fifth and final card on the table, initiat-ing the last round of betting. The tension builds fast. The first player sees he has a strong flush and goes all-in, adding $6 million to the pot.

Next to act is a player who’s been quiet most of the game. He looks down at his hand and also goes all-in without hesitation, adding $5 million to the pot. He’s holding a full house—three eights and a pair of aces. Even stronger than the first player.

Then comes Le Chiffre, the villain of the movie. Cold as ice, he raises to $12 million. His hand? Three aces and two sixes. Even better.

Now it’s Bond’s turn. He pauses. Glances at his cards. Nobody knows what he’s thinking. Then suddenly, he decides to go all-in. Le Chiffre thinks he’s bluffing, and he calls. Betting is over, and it’s time for the showdown.