Famous movie sayings become widely known for good reason; often, it’s because the things said are funny, quirky, notable or wise. Thus, they stick around. 

It’s why we have mantras, it’s why we have slogans – and it’s why some of these famous movie sayings (taken from the American Film Institute’s Top 100) can apply to bridge games everywhere.

Here are some famous sayings taken out of context and transposed to cards.

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”  – From The Godfather (1972)

When it comes to making offers people can’t refuse, I’m first reminded of bidding – and this might be the most appropriate quote on the list when applying to how you should be bidding your bridge hands against the opposing side.

“There’s no crying in baseball!”  – From A League of Their Own (1992) 
While this quote comes from a movie about an entirely different sport, it’s true in bridge. Tantrums at the table are frowned upon, whether we’re talking about a game played in-person or online – and they definitely don’t go down well in general. 

“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”  – From Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Failure to communicate is the biggest obstacle to bridge partnerships. If you think your results as a partnership could be better, it’s time to get together and talk about it. 

“I’ll be back.” – From The Terminator (1984)

It’s almost impossible to read this quote in anything other than the appropriate voice: it’s also an appropriate way to announce you’re about to leave the table – or a perfectly fine greeting when leaving the table at the end of a game.

“Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac… It’s in the hole!” – From Caddyshack (1980)

Okay, this quote might be another one from a movie about the wrong sport, but you have to admit: this quote could be said by a bridge commentator and have made sense, right?

“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!”– From Sons of the Desert (1933)

This sentence in the context of bridge? Well, it might be something many players have previously wanted to yell at their bridge partner before.

“Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” – From Wall Street (1987)

How could greed be good? Students are greedy to learn – bridge players are greedy to play. Sometimes, greed only means craving more than the necessary. (No, this is not how this transpires in the movie.) 

“My precious.” – From The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Now, greed can also be a bad thing (as we’ve seen from, well, the entire Lord of the Rings series and most of humanity’s actions surrounding it). But I’ve still felt exactly like this scene when I’ve had an Ace in the right suit.