Lucky You

In Las Vegas, 2003, we meet Huck Cheever, a talented but troubled poker player. He struggles not only with his poker ambitions but also with his strained relationship with his estranged father, L.C. Cheever, a renowned poker champion.

Huck dreams of joining the prestigious $10,000 main event No Limit Texas Hold'Em tournament at the World Series of Poker. To fund his aspirations, he often visits pawn shops, even pawning his mother's engagement ring in desperate measures for cash.

One night at the Bellagio poker room, Huck encounters Billie Offer, an aspiring singer. Their immediate chemistry is evident, despite cautions from Billie's older sister, Suzanne, about Huck's commitment issues.

Upon L.C.'s return from the South of France, tensions rise between him and Huck. A pivotal poker match unfolds where Huck goes all-in, betting his mother's engagement ring against L.C.'s watch; ultimately, L.C. emerges victorious yet again.

Loan shark Roy Durucher observes Huck's skills at the table and offers to finance his entry into the main event, suggesting they split the winnings. However, Huck, valuing his independence, decides to decline this lucrative proposal.

Desperate for funds, Huck approaches his friend Jack for a loan but is turned down. He then reconnects with Billie, who is thrilled about her latest singing gig, and they decide to play poker with her traveler's checks.

L.C. surprises Huck by returning the wedding ring he retrieved from the pawn shop. However, under pressure, Huck loses everything shortly after, leading to a reflective dinner with Billie about his complicated bond with his father.

After a difficult experience during a 'super satellite' game, Huck finds himself cut off from entering the main event. With Roy’s backing, he receives another chance, but the consequences of his past actions start to weigh heavily on him.

Faced with mounting debts, Huck participates in a golfing marathon to raise cash for his poker ambitions. Though he puts forth a tremendous effort, he falls short by mere seconds, intensifying the pressure surrounding him.

Huck learns that Billie has returned to Bakersfield, prompting him to make desperate moves to finance his poker dreams. He makes the difficult choice to sell the wedding ring to his father to regain entry into the World Series.

Determined, Huck travels to Bakersfield to articulate his feelings to Billie regarding their relationship. He expresses his belief in their potential together, highlighting the emotional stakes involved in both love and poker.

With renewed determination, Huck enters the World Series, where he finds himself matching up against L.C. in a high-stakes finale. The tension escalates as both father and son edge towards a defining moment in their poker careers.

During the final table, Huck strategically folds a winning hand, ultimately finishing in third place. L.C. soon follows suit after being defeated by a younger player, signaling a generational shift in the poker landscape.

In the aftermath of the tournament, L.C. reaches out to Huck for a friendly rematch, offering an opportunity for reconciliation. This moment symbolizes the healing of their previously fractured relationship.

In a heartfelt conclusion, Huck and Billie forge their way back to one another. The closing scene suggests not only the revival of their romance but also the understanding that love, like poker, comes with its own risks and rewards.