Casino Royale
Definition
The title of the first James Bond novel by Ian Fleming, published in 1953, introducing the suave British spy in a high-stakes poker game against a Soviet agent at a fictional Monte Carlo casino.
A 2006 film adaptation directed by Martin Campbell, marking Daniel Craig's debut as Bond, blending intense action, poker intrigue, and origin-story grit.
Colloquially, any glamorous, high-roller gambling den evoking Bond-level sophistication and danger—minus the exploding defibrillators.
Examples
He strutted into the dive bar wearing a rented tux, convinced it was his own Casino Royale moment—until last call hit like Le Chiffre's tell.
My crypto portfolio turned into Casino Royale overnight: all in on meme coins, praying for a Bond villain bailout.
She bet the farm on that startup pitch, channeling Casino Royale vibes with her unflinching poker face and a side-eye sharper than Vesper's betrayal.
Family game night escalated to Casino Royale when Grandma went all-in on Monopoly hotels with a martini garnish.