Original subtitles

You know what it feels like.

Everything's going your way. You can't make a wrong decision if you try.

You bet pass, the shooter rolls a seven.

You stand firm on 12, the dealer busts out with a face card.

At the holding table, you start every hand with big slits.

And then, it happens.

Your wife calls on the cell phone with a problem at home.

The waitress spills the beer on you. You're some mook in the anger, so you

on 15 and take the last big card in the deck.

Suddenly the world shifts.

Anger overtakes you with confusion and pain. You can't think straight. You call

when you should raise. You bet when you should fold.

You can't win for losing.

What the house counts on.

The pros, too.

You're off balance.

You're out of your right mind.

And on tilt.

Next case.

People act like poker's a new game.

It ain't. Same game it's always been.

Zeros are different.

You tell your crews, main event's coming at the end of the month. They pay out

$25 million.

Three times that in play on the live side game.

All those zeros make this a buffet for cheaters.

I need you gentlemen to ensure the integrity of the game.

and of this establishment.

Did you say your name once, honey?

Miami. That's right, Miami.

Well, Miami, it's going to cost you at least a tank of gas to do the river. I

rave.

My name's Eddie, by the way. See, she didn't ask you.

Because she already knows the only name she needs to at this time.

Are you ready?

Clark, my daddy told me a man only talks that much when he's already made his

hand.

You boys are too tough for me. I'm out.

See that?

Looks like she's laughing at you.

She was smiling at me.

Laughing at you.

Good to see you, sir.

Re -race.

See if you got the stack to call that.

So you're making a stand.

Because those are some thinly -ass legs to be standing on.

You can look as long as you like.

I'm not giving anything up.

Oh, I'm not trying to put you on a hand.

I'm just trying to figure out what color that sweatsuit is.

Man, it said it's aubergine.

Really?

Looks like eggplant to me.

Dead hand. It's a dead hand. I want my chip back.

Sorry.

What's all that about?

I'm broad.

Remember when you and I used to run around with our balls hanging out like

You mean before we learned how to tuck them in some?

Mm -hmm.

There's like two things I can think of worth fighting for.

Money? My money.

Had to go racial, huh?

Audiences love that crap.

Had to go right cross, huh?

Give the people what they want.

Well, there she is.

Well, that went about as well as it could have.

Well, you see more was right.

If we get in a game with the Matadors, you won't have us as teammates.

We're gonna do this. Oh, it's payback time.

Can't do it here. We need to find some ammo.

Only one way to get that, right?

Let's play some cards.

I know a place out in the desert.

Dealers are creepy, but most of the players are drunk and we won't get

That sounds like my kind of room.

So did you build your bankroll at places like that? Back when I had one, I was

playing big games on the strip.

Then what?

You know.

Well, listen, you first.

Nope. What about you?

Maybe when I know you better.

I'll tell you this much. When it happened to me, it was like, like ninjas

me. Blade went in before I even knew it.

It was over before I even started to bleed.

Then when Seymour told me that I had been cheated, it was like they stabbed

again, you know?

Yeah.

I see you about getting into a game.

It's a high -stakes area. You might be more comfortable down there playing a 3

-6.

I'm looking for a no -limit game.

That's all anybody wants to play now since they put it on TV.

You ever try it?

Never opened a hardware store until I tried it. It's done me pretty good.

GR,

you're up. Table 2.

Up here we spread a 50 -100 game. The swings can get pretty rough.

This day can cost you a Cadillac to learn.

Guess I'll need chips.

Yeah, we'll come together in a little while. I'll put you on the list.

Name's Lee Nickel.

It's initials.

I'll win.

I'll call the table and the game's on.

You need to lay him down. Hey.

See it flop?

Where did it go?

Who the hell are you? His name's Crackle. He ain't supposed to be here.

Car counter? No, it's just something wrong with him. It's like a pants mess

something. Shut up, John.

Listen, Seymour's waiting.

He said to get all you guys.

See, you should have led with that little man.

He said to get all you guys.

Son of a bitch, you know. You grab your pants one time and they never let you

forget it.

Thanks.

If I knew you were in Laughlin together, he could know you were in Laughlin

together. You can't be sitting in the same room friendly like that. Come on,

man. Look, we were all the way out of town. All right? It's a free country.

This ain't America, kid. This is Vegas.

We're trying to build a bankroll, Seymour. Is that all right?

Well, how'd you do?

I was 2 ,000 to the good, and I was fixing to go on a run before he came

whistling over.

He sent me. He told me to.

See, Moore, I wasn't whistling.

I'm up 32.

Now you're up 32, right?

In the car, you were what, around three grand? Till I said I was up 31? You want

to count it?

Up a couple of grand for all that risk.

If we're going to hurt him in a cash game, you've got to get out of the

pool and start making moves.

Kiddie pool? Come on, heads up right now, old man. I'll take whatever you

on you.

Yeah, I'm sure you could take me down to the table, Eddie.

If all things are even.

But out here, they never are.

Double zero roulette. The house edge is 5 .6%. Craps, you're laying 0 .6 % or

worse.

Blackjack, your play is flawless.

House edge is 0 .8%. Yeah, but in poker, you're not playing the house.

No.

Poker room has some home game hero wants to step up.

He wants to play monkey in the middle.

Well, you'll fit in then too, right? No, I can't.

I had a board meeting.

They're doing me like a frog. Put me in a pan of comfortable water and turn up

the heat.

Board meeting?

Shit. All right.

I'll get Tropical Henry in and test that.

What about Stasiak? He's hungry.

That's because I stopped feeding him. You forgot all the rules and went and re

-raised my ass.

I say we let him thin out a little bit till the end of the week.

I'm gonna...

Go leave myself.

I don't know where it is.

What did you say the game was?

Guy wants to play no limit.

Great.

Evan Sr. out of here. You in for the event?

More or less.

Change that up for me, would you?

Excuse me, Matador? Yeah.

Your book's the reason I'm here. Would you sign it for me?

Oh, sure.

Why don't you sit down and play for a little while? See what you learn. Oh,

yet. One day.

Yeah?

That's the problem when there's a book about the game.

Everybody knows what you're thinking.

Or do they?

Hey, Danny.

Hey, what's up?

Why don't you and TJ sit in for a while?

No, thanks, man. I think I can find a better spot.

Make it a thousand.

Did you even look at your hand?

Well, I didn't have to because I saw you look at yours.

I'm a fool.

That's very smart.

That's one free lesson.

The next one's going to cost you.

You know, I'm at the Rio.

I got a steak and shrimp for $7 .95 if you want to get something to eat. Ooh,

how could she refuse that, Mr. Trump?

Hey, I'm saving my bankroll for play.

No thanks, I'll pass.

You gonna go find a game?

No, my move now is to go get some sleep, roll into the casino around 5, and find

the chasers still trying to win back their money before morning.

Hey, if you're looking for a game, I know one that Matador definitely won't

it.

What are

you

taking me for? What, you worry this place ain't friendly? Cause it ain't.

Suck.

No, man, no bet.

No damn bet.

I was raising. And you should have said raise. No string bets here, bitch.

I said see yours, and then I was raising. You said see.

It was over.

You see this, son?

What?

This time I raise.

I take the second half of that bet up out of the pot.

Let's finish this hand.

Cool?

Cool.

I'm supposed to check those outside.

My bad.

You do?

You're here.

Ooh, I feel it. Hey.

What's up, Danny? Hey, Clark.

No limit tourney.

Buying's a thousand.

Who's the cop?

Not a cop.

He's my valet.

My name's Eddie.

Sit down and show us your money, mister. My name's Eddie.

You're making me nervous.

You're a quick study down there, aren't you?

Where are you from?

Des Moines.

Why don't you take off that jacket? Loosen up that tie.

Get comfortable.

I'm fine.

Are you?

Boy, so am I.

I'm gonna bet.

4 ,000.

I raise 4 ,000.

Well, you're a very brave man, but you're in alien territory.

So I'm just going to call.

Well, I can tell you're just dying to bet at it, so I'm going to let you.

Card.

What did you say your name was again?

I didn't.

This is a very hospitable town.

You're up to about, I don't know, 24 ,000 and change there.

It's going to take every bit of it to stay in his hand.

What do you think of that?

I called?

Maybe it's a good thing that he didn't get comfortable after all.

How'd it show?

I don't know, just made a double gut shot.

How do you get cards like that?

Last card coming.

A set of deuces is kind of like a mackerel in the moonlight.

One minute it's real shiny, the next it stinks.

I thought you were done with the free lessons.

He paid for that one.

Chopped them up pretty good, huh? Yeah.

Take my half. Take what you won. Nothing.

I'm talking about I dumped it to you at the end there. You know that. No, what

do I know? You know they weren't letting a guy like me out of there with the

money. That's what you know.

Come on.

You know when this is all done, I can't wait to go heads up with you like Creed

and Rocky at the end of three.

Ding, ding.

Ding, ding.

Wayne Nickel.

And you're from?

Des Moines, Iowa, originally.

But I've been around, well, the last ten years or so. I've been in Las Vegas.

Doing?

Gambling. I've been a gambler.

So you cheated?

Yeah, I cheated. Every way you can. What type of techniques?

We use them all.

It depends on the mark. You know, the setup, the location.

Mostly we play teams.

Signal hands.

You can get your cards.

How you hold them.

Can you give me a specific example?

Share a big hand.

He's going to get some of his confederates to start betting up the

until the pigeon is leaning.

You know, then come fourth street, guys will just start dropping out.

You know, they'll use chip placement.

You know, three up front, slide one into the front.

Gestures.

Anything.

This is also the matter that knows what they each have is their whole card.

Okay?

So I know it's most of what's been dealt.

Almost everything's left in the deck.

And the fucker, I mean, he knows what he's got and what's shown on the board.

You know, the average player, this is a huge advantage. But to the matador, this

is like nuclear superiority.

You're putting yourself at risk coming out like this.

Why are you coming forward now?

My family.

I didn't want to show them I couldn't.

I let them down.

I shamed them, and I love them.

I was raised to be way better than I am.

I just, I got going wrong.

So, you know, my dinner offer started at 4 a .m.

You're buying.

I saw him play.

You what?

I know myself.

You know we're not supposed to be anywhere near that guy.

Oh, yeah, you always do as you're told.

Is that how you became a card player?

Coffee? All right. What did you find out?

It was like mind control.

That sucker checked when Matador wanted him to check, and he bet it all when he

wanted him to do that. And even though the guy had about ten outs, Matador bet

against him like he knew he only had one.

And when he went to the river on the big pots, there was no one in there against

him but the out -of -towner.

So they'd freeze the action and work teams.

Mm -hmm.

But you know something?

I wanted to sit at that table so bad.

Regardless of the edge, one -on -one, take him down.

Yeah, I know the feeling.

We caught eyes, and you know that thing that they say about him, that he can

look into your soul? It's true. I felt like he was measuring me for shoes.

You think he recognized you?

From when the other night? No, from before.

I doubt it.

Did he dye your hair or something?

I was 12.

Wow. That must be a hell of a story.

It is.

How about you?

How old were you?

It doesn't matter.

Sure it does.

How'd he break you?

The usual way. He took all my money. I want to hear.

I want to know who wins next year's Super Bowl. You got that?

Must have been brutal.

All right.

I'm gone.

Are you going back to bed?

Why, are you coming?

My daddy told me never date a card player. They lie too well.

Guess I'm not going back to bed.

You know what most people on the outside fail to realize?

Vegas is a service town.

Which is why the president of a casino is happy to meet with a customer last.

Repeatedly.

It's Mr. Nickel, right? Thank you, Mr. Rogers.

No, please, it's Bart or it's Lowball.

Mr. Rogers.

He wore funny sweaters.

I was cheated in your casino.

You don't mince words. That's good. That means I don't have to either.

I reviewed your complaint.

As a courtesy, I went over the security tapes. There's nothing there.

I'd like to see them. I don't think so.

Sir, you lost to one of the greatest poker players in the history of the

It stinks.

It's expensive.

Forgive me for suggesting it, but I think you swam out into deeper waters

you should have.

And I don't want you to leave sorry.

Let me comp you a room.

I don't want to stay at your hotel.

So that's just back to the station house, huh?

Sheriff Nickel.

This is the gaming industry.

Which means like every other big business, it's also the information

Now your brother, and of course I'm sorry he's gone, was a cheat.

It doesn't mean everyone else around here is a cheat.

My brother left here and changed his ways.

He cleaned up. Your brother left here because he was thrown out.

And I'm the one that tossed him.

He was no longer welcome here.

And that is the territory that you are rapidly approaching.

Go home to what's left of your family while you still can.

Pride goeth before a fall.

Hey.

Come in there.

It's a nice place.

Come on.

a dump.

It's temporary.

It always is, right?

You used to promise to buy me a house and a Mercedes with your poker winnings.

was five years old.

Still, you never did.

We've both broken our shared promises.

I got a shift in a half an hour.

Dealing over at the Nugget.

How's your father?

Still playing 2 -4 up at Foxwoods.

200, 400.

Father always did like playing the big games.

2 -4, Ma, no hundreds.

He ain't winning.

Stop pacing around like that. It's driving me crazy.

What are you doing here anyway? I thought you swore off the place.

What can I say? It's like the Death Star just pulls me back in. The Death what?

Nothing.

What do you want?

Money?

I'm running late.

I don't want your money.

I thought I'd just say hi.

All right?

Hi, son.

I'll see you later.

Let's make a wager. Skip.

I bet you don't find one other nickel in that book.

Or a dime, or a quarter, or a Susan frickin' B. Anthony.

What? Nothing rang a bell.

Guy famously sues us.

Tries to slander that man there.

And you walk his brother, a law enforcement officer, into a game with

I missed it.

Things happened fast on the floor. I saw he was a sucker, and you beat him out

of his steak.

Eight grand.

He bought a lousy eight grand in my game.

If I run out of toilet paper at home, I wipe my ass with eight grand.

Nine, if I've had chili.

He sent me up against that.

He left me wide open.

I'll clear my stuff out. No, Skip.

No.

It ain't gonna be that easy.

You can head back down to the floor.

And you take these with you.

The slot?

Quarter slot.

Hold on a second. You're forgetting something.

Tick -tock.

Those are only for meritorious service.

Don't worry.

You're going to get a chance to earn this back.

Look, I appreciate your feeling that you were cheated.

But, you know, I can't open a file for every losing gambler. I'm an officer of

the law.

The Casinos are just another sucker.

There is a program that I could recommend.

Gamblers Anonymous.

I don't have a gambling problem.

Well, the first step is acceptance.

I'll take this to the federal level if you won't review those security tapes

with me.

And down the river we go.

Six of hearts.

Who suited big cards?

Is that what you started with?

But you only raised pre -flop, no re -raise.

Ah, you have a piece of this.

A big piece.

But not big enough.

I knew it.

I've picked up something on you.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah. Your betting pattern.

When you start with a big pair, you open at 200.

If you don't improve, you try and chase the wankers out on the river with a big

bet.

I raised a thousand.

Now you're on the run, sunshine.

How much do you have in front of you?

Sorry? How much money you got?

3 ,800.

Good. All right. I'm putting you all in.

How's that fit my bedding pattern, sunshine?

Oh,

it's counting on it.

That six minted me.

Cool.

That's it.

You're minted. I'm bonded.

Put the ladder to the six.

Free fall.

You got all my chips with them little cards.

Got broke with itty -bitty cards. You played them like you had a pair.

No, I played them because I had a pair.

Next game.

Said five minutes, right?

Yeah, here.

Vegas path key?

Don't touch anything Yeah, I won't

So, what's it going to be?

You're going to see my skate key and raise me a little.

Pump it up 7 ,000.

Let her call now, Johnny. You can't get bluffed by a 7 -year -old. I'm 12.

Oh, oh, oh.

She's 12.

No, I'm not going anywhere.

I called.

Straight to the 9.

You have the ass end of it.

Oh, screw this.

You owe me 7 grand.

Yeah?

Well, like they say on the playground, little girl.

Make me. Hey.

If you refuse to pay what you wagered, you will never get another game here.

And by here, I mean the state.

Is that clear?

Now throw it in.

Yeah.

Come on, I was going to pay anyway.

Now you did.

Johnny Gaciano always pays his debts.

You're gonna have to be careful with the gum.

Against a better player, it might give something away.

There's a nice bear trap he's had there.

Thanks. Where are you from?

Wherever I can find a live game.

I can see that.

You got moves.

Moves. Yeah.

Cash? No.

I can stake it.

Buddy, you were right next to me in the chief seats.

Yeah, yeah.

But I got a guy.

A guy?

Yeah.

Heavyweight. But first, you gotta prove yourself.

We're with Don Everest, known in the poker world as the Matador, for his

to lure the young bulls into the ring and cut them down. But he hasn't won the

world championship in almost a decade. Don, cause for concern?

Well, Norm, uh, that's poker.

Chips go in the middle, cards get flipped over, and, uh, some carry on and

head for home.

But has the game passed you by?

Well, I can't be boss forever.

Uh, but I challenge anyone in here to take me on.

You ready for a game? Oh, no.

At the World Poker Championships, I'm Norman Chad, ESPN.

That was great, John. Just great. Thanks. Maybe we can get something

going during the tournament. Sure.

Anybody check up on your investment?

I get statements to that effect.

We're down five quarters running now.

The board won't have it.

Still on schedule for after the tournament, though.

Just win it.

You got it straight?

Yeah. I don't raise your blind. If you're in a hand, I'm out of the hand

I'm building you a pie. If you raise, I pull, and when the time is right, I

bluff my stack off of you.

Right. I'll ask you at the final table.

You sound sure.

Aren't you?

What was that about?

Oh, the guy wanted to sell me a good luck shirt.

I passed.

This is a battle -like tournament.

Winner gets his or her entry paid into the big guys.

Self -help and deal.

The casinos being the backbone of this town, you really ought to respect our

self -governance. As important as they are, the casinos still need to be held

accountable. Just show me the tapes.

This is exactly what I wanted to do first thing in the morning, by the way.

Thank you.

Luke, put up security tape on table two from two nights ago about 10 o 'clock.

Sir,

those tapes were wiped.

Wiped?

A couple of days ago, and they're already wiped.

We're on a weekly rotation.

That was the last night of the week. If you would have gotten here, Two and a

half hours ago.

You could have looked at them all day long.

If you'd only been here two and a half hours ago.

Is there anything else I can do for you gentlemen?

Thank you for your time, sir.

Thank you, Lou. Oh.

you're welcome sir

you

know they say man only talks once he's made his hand

Man, that mist won't even scratch his macadamias if they're itching, because

he's so afraid that any movement is going to provoke a call.

Here I am just talking, right? Woo!

Must have filled up right at the end there when that second seven fell, huh?

Well, maybe I'm worried that you're sitting on two red hearts, and I'm

you know, the more that I rap, the more likely it is that you'll just, you know,

toss them away in a hailstorm of confusion.

Whatever it is, you sure do talk a lot.

But I don't think you can help yourself.

And I think you bluff him.

Nicole.

You were right about one thing.

I do have the heart.

Nice. But you know what? I think I'm going to have to go Newark style.

What the hell is that?

Obviously, I ain't never been to Newark, man.

Bus is full.

Want me to the final table?

We understand you two had a problem here recently.

Keep it civil.

Are you both here removing forfeit spots?

I will if you will.

I'm just interested in that tweet.

No,

no. Swap these out. These are just poker players. They're not visiting royalty.

Hey. I heard you got a visit from Metro PD.

Yeah.

You didn't mention it to me.

Well, it's because I handled it. I don't tell you every time the maid screws up

the hospital corner on a high roller's bed, either, do I? Well, I don't know.

What are you trying to do, distance yourself?

Distance my ass.

The guy lost his seat tapes. I blanked him. He's halfway back to Kansas by now.

Iowa. Whatever.

I don't think he's going anywhere.

Really?

He's as straight up as a stalk of corn, and he's out of mission.

I bet $10 ,000.

Going to the bayou.

I'm going.

I call.

It's a good call.

He's trying to run over you. Well, then you better have a monster truck.

Two pair.

Kings and eight.

Man, I must have gotten tired trying to move like that.

That puts me up better in three to one.

I've got lots of bullets in my gun now.

You don't like light?

You want a team for the... Calm the hell down. What's wrong with you?

Yeah, it ain't for show this time. You set me up, cost me a seat.

I've got it, too.

I thought you were going to give him a hand release under the table.

I will hand you your ass if you try that again.

Was that right?

Somebody shoot somebody already, or else cut the bull crap. It wasn't you I was

setting up, Clark. I've got it in with the matador. Yeah, yeah, so what you

trying to do, all right?

But if you're going to change a play, you've got to call an audible.

He's right. It was reckless.

But it's in motion now.

So... I want you to lose this to him in a public place

at a table with Tropical Henry.

Eddie will lose it to Henry. See, Henry's a small -timer.

He's greedy.

He's gonna want you for himself.

Once the work gets out about the big money, though, the matador will take

personal interest.

You know, I'm out.

I have enough of this maverick Iceman routine for one day.

Me too.

Hey, just so you know, I'm Maverick. Whatever.

Yeah.

Stay behind, Eddie. I want to talk to you.

What are you doing? Why did you let me take the rap for that? You're the one

told me to get inside.

The fewer people that know, the better.

Okay, sit down.

You see the game like Spassky saw the Bourne when he was young.

You are the best natural card player since the kid Unger.

But you've got no patience.

One misstep now, and they will crush you.

Just like they crushed me.

You never told me what happened between you and Everett.

You're right.

Let this thing unfold for a minute.

This time, we'll both win.

When did you get the call?

The call?

The call to erase the tapes.

We erased them on schedule.

Who moved up the schedule?

Who told you to do it? Bobo?

Look at me!

I'm going to leave you here, leaking on the concrete.

Was it low?

He came down watching you.

I've been seeing you all over the place.

What are you up to? And who are you working for?

Nobody.

I'm dead.

I'm dead.

I'm through hurting you as long as you're talking.

I can't thank you.

Them. Them?

Little ball and who else?

You know.

I want to hear it.

Nobody.

Who the hell else?

Don't make me do this to you.

The matador.

Go on that verse.

You know,

as long as I've been playing the game, people have been trying to figure out

what makes me so great at the table.

Well, it's this.

I always know what the other guy's holding, but they don't know dick about

Right.

That's it. Hey!

That's only half of it.

The other half comes down to aggression.

Some people act meek when they're strong.

Now, that's not my style of play.

I say, if you're strong, it's hard to show it.

So...

Who do you work for? Or do you want to try for two?

No! Seymour Henderson!

Seymour!

Seymour Henderson!

In 1949, legendary gambler Nick the Greek Dandelos came to town, squared off

against Johnny Moth in a running no -limit poker game that went on for four

months.

Crowds gathered every day to see if an out -of -towner could beat the best

had.

Moss was up $4 million before the Greeks did and said, Mr. Moss, I have to let

you go.

And that's the way it usually comes out.

When you take on Vegas, Vegas wins.

On the next tilt.

Didn't get your name, though.

Eddie Towne.

Eddie?

John Evers.

Does Evers cheat or worse?

There are rumors.

You want more information?

Go spread some money around. There's plenty of people who know things who'd

happy to tell you for a few bucks.

Get up.

You keep messing with us, you'll wind up like that net bar cracker.

Did my name come up?

Forget about it.

What happens now? You disappear.

When I see a strong young player with the makings of becoming a real pro, I'll

put him in a game. I'll bankroll him.

You forget my friend Phil runs that game. He said you cracked it for 20

What do you want?

The pockets are empty.

This is Eddie.

This is my daughter, Dee.

Hey. You work for my father now? He's just a young poker player. A very

promising young poker player.

You look promising.

Listen, you cost me money, a lot of money, and you're going to pay me back

way or another. Let go. Are you hearing me? I'm trying to show you that somebody

all day.