And by the second time its tightening, it even has Le Chiffre flinching.

He's about to reply with yet another insult, before something registers that doing so really isn't a good idea. "Alright! Okay. Stop it. That's not helping either of us."

Le Chiffre can actually be an agreeable sort in the right circumstances. Put a gun to his head and he'll agree with anything you say.