> I read the book before going to see the movie, and so I knew most of the plot, but I was surprised and pleased by seeing exactly WHAT happened to make Le Chiffre need the money, even if it isn't exactly what happened in the book (I'm a little spotty on that- it was an audio book and I kept getting distracted).

For the record: Le Chiffre (Le Chiffre) is the paymaster of a SMERSH-controlled trade union (an international banker for persons who prefer not to use traditional banking services). He loses a large amount of money setting up a chain of brothels just before prostitution is made illegal (making a large investment in an airline and then unsuccessfully trying to short the stock), and has to get the money back quickly, so he goes to the casino at Royale-les-Eaux to play chemin-de-fer (sponsors a poker tournament at Casino Royale in Montenegro).

Zarniwoop