Blackjack and hookers – Best Futurama gambling scenes

Futurama had a balanced cast of great characters, but Bender really stood out from the crowd. Obnoxious and vulgar, yet confident and friendly, he certainly wasn’t one to shy away from a drink or game of cards. But despite his confronting demeanour, he was a good friend to those around him.

Bender was a key figure in making Futurama the show that it was, and his frequent references to gambling and partying hit home for many us always on the lookout for a cheeky bet. What better way to celebrate the loose, fun ways of everyone’s favourite gambling robot than by reminiscing about his best moments?

Let’s take a look back at the funniest quotes from Bender over the years.

The best Bender quotes

“I’ll build my own theme park. With blackjack, and hookers. In fact, forget the park!”

Season 1, Episode 2: The Series Has Landed

This is probably the quintessential Bender quote. In only the series’ second ever episode, Bender quickly established himself as a fan favourite. In this scene, Bender is thrown out of a moon theme park, which is appropriately called “Luna Park”, and stomps off threatening to start his own gambling amusement park.

“The game’s over. I have all the money. Compare your lives to mine and then kill yourselves!”

Season 2, Episode 7: A Head In The Polls

Bender will do anything to earn a quick buck. In this episode, he exploits a shortage of titanium by selling his body and making a hefty profit. Of course, while he initially celebrates his new-found wealth, he soon discovers that the gamble didn’t quite pay off.

“You know what always cheers me up? Laughing at other people’s misfortunes”

Season 4, Episode 18: The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings

In arguably one of the best Futurama episodes ever comes this brutal quote that really epitomises Bender’s at-times brutal personality. In this instance, he’s laughing at Fry’s inability to play music for Leela.

Fry: “It’s hopeless. I can hear all this great music in my head but my stupid hands can’t keep up.”
Bender: “Aw. You know what always cheers me up? Laughing at other people’s misfortunes. Hahaha haha.”

“Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The ‘x’ makes it sound cool.“

Season 2, Episode 16: Anthology Of Interest I

Just went you thought Bender had established some sort of moral compass, he hits back with this. Leela, reeling after having accidentally killed the professor, turns to Bender for help, but he ends up blackma…erm, “extorting” her.

“This is the worst kind of discrimination there is: the kind against me!”

Season 7, Episode 17: War Is The H-Word

Bender says what so many of us think but are afraid to say. In this case, he feels as though he is discriminated against because he can’t buy gum at a discount. His quote stands the test of time.

“I don’t need to drink: I can quit anytime.”

Season 1, Episode 1: Space Pilot 3000

This exchange between Fry and Bender in the show’s pilot really set it up for a strong first season. Bender’s response is pure gold: drinking is a vice, and no one needs to do it, and that he can quit any time he wants to. That’s a philosophy I can live by!

“I mean, being a robot’s great but we don’t have emotions and sometimes that makes me very sad.”

Season 3, Episode 18: Anthology of Interest II

This is a great quote because it highlights that Bender is unaware of his feelings, either because he is unwilling to accept they exist, or because he genuinely doesn’t know he has them. It’s interesting, because it’s not often that Bender is so emotional, even if he doesn’t know it!

“Should I get one 300-hundred dollar hooker, or three hundred 1-dollar hookers?”

Season 5, Episode 11: Three Hundred Big Boys

Bender posing the big, important questions as usual.

“Do a flip!”

Season 2, Episode 14: How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back

Bender can be a great friend when he wants to be, but he often fails to understand the severity of situations. Take this moment with Hermes, who is threatening to commit suicide. While his friends plead with him to come down, Bender screams out, “Do a flip!” Classic Bender.

“You’re the first”

Season 1, Episode 3: I, Roommate

The friendship of Bender and Fry is truly one for the ages.