How The Blacklist turned a rule-breaking poker hand into TV legend

A single hand of no-limit hold'em became legendary—not for skill, but for sheer audacity. Why this Blacklist scene still stuns fans and poker pros alike.

, and Administrator

2026 February 4 . 1:26 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people sitting around a table playing poker, with a wall, window, door,... — The image shows a group of people sitting around a table playing poker, with a wall, window, door, and various objects in the background. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "Draw Poker - Laying for 'em Sharp".

How The Blacklist turned a rule-breaking poker hand into TV legend

A poker scene from The Blacklist remains one of the most talked-about moments in TV poker tournament history. The episode, featuring James Spader as Raymond Reddington, aired in season 2 of the long-running series. While the show spans 10 seasons, this particular hand stands out for its bold rule-breaking and dramatic finish.

The scene unfolds in a high-stakes ncaa tournament where chips hold no cash value outside the game. Reddington challenges his opponent, Wujing, to a single hand of no-limit hold'em—an immediate breach of tournament rules. Wujing then goes all-in out of turn, another clear violation, but Reddington ignores the mistake and proceeds.

Wujing notices that Reddington hasn't even glanced at his cards. When questioned, Reddington simply replies, 'They are what they are.' The hand reaches its climax when Reddington reveals a rivered flush, crushing Wujing's three-of-a-kind. His final line, 'Ah, look at that,' seals the moment as a standout coup de grâce.

Poker scenes in film and TV often stray from real gameplay, and this one is no exception. James Hartigan, PokerStars Ambassador, has even criticised another on-screen poker moment—from The Good Ship Murder—as the worst he's seen. Yet Reddington's bluff-heavy, rule-bending showdown remains a fan favourite.

The scene's mix of drama and poker inaccuracies has cemented its place in pop culture. While it breaks standard tournament rules, the bold play and Spader's delivery make it memorable. For viewers, it's less about realism and more about the character's audacious style.