DannyHaley'sbookieoperationisshutdown,soheandhispalsneedmoney;whenDannymeetsArthurWinant,asuckerfromoutoftown,hedecoyshimintoaseriesofpokergameswhereeventuallyWinantloses$5000thatisn'this...thenhangshimself.ButitseemsWinanthadashadowy,protectiveelderbrotherwhobelievesinpersonalrevenge.Andeachofthecardplayersinturnfeelsafacelessdoominexorablyclosingin.Darkstreetsandsexytorch-singerFranlendambienceddd