A casually dressed man in his thirties strides down a bustling sidewalk, passing by a lively New Orleans-style funeral. He shares a light-hearted moment with a young boy, teasingly exchanging quarters, and showcasing his playful nature. The scene transitions with a bluesy jazz funeral march accompanying the title sequence.
At a nearby card game, the man claims victory by outsmarting his opponent, who accuses him of using marked cards. When tensions rise in the washroom, the winner makes a daring escape through a window, evading two pursuers as he navigates through a railyard.
Meanwhile, a sharply dressed man in his sixties arrives by train, welcomed at a luxurious hotel as Mr. Howard. Elsewhere, the young man, known as "Kid," takes a seat at a bar where a card game is in progress. Recognized as "Kid" by the others, he skillfully collects $170 from a satisfied player, a payoff for past markers. He shares a conversation with a suave man referred to as "Shooter", who mentions the legendary Lancey Howard is in town, sparking interest in a potential match against the Kid.
Lancey reaches out to a man named Slade, proposing a game of stud poker at noon, and they agree to the details. Slade, preoccupied with an intimate encounter, insists on Shooter being the honest dealer for the game. Lancey, never missing a beat, requests extra Tabasco for his oysters.
As the narrative unfolds, Shooter reminisces while on a ferry, sharing tales of his past with Kid—when he believed he was unbeatable until he met Lancey, dubbed "the Man." The Kid dreams of besting him. Later, the Kid visits his love, Christian, who brings up her outing to a French movie laden with subtitled content, as the two engage in a light discussion.
At home, Shooter observes his alluring wife Melba, who is engrossed in a jigsaw puzzle. When Lancey calls to finalize the game details, Shooter agrees without hesitation. The story continues to weave through events, showcasing Melba and Christian shopping, culminating in their visit to a Turkish bath, where they share thoughts about their respective partners.
As the big game approaches, the stakes grow higher, with Slade suggesting a $12,000 side bet on the outcome between Lancey and the Kid. Tensions mount as Shooter grapples with Slade's demands while maintaining his integrity, confident that the Kid can win on his own merit.
After a tense build-up, we witness the pivotal poker match set for Monday at 5 PM in room 2A of the Lafayette Hotel. Both players prepare in their respective quarters—while Kid studies a math book titled "New Practical Exercises in Rapid Calculations," Lancey arranges the massive stacks of cash that await him.
On game day, excitement buzzes in the air. Kid arrives, embraced as a local hero, while Lancey studies the table with discerning eyes. The poker game unfolds with camaraderie, competitive banter, and the thrill of high stakes. As bets escalate, the residents of the hotel crowd around to witness the tension as it builds.
With the game ongoing, Lancey appears to wear down under pressure, yet the tide turns dramatically. As a crucial hand reveals itself, a stunned silence falls over the audience when the cards are turned. Lancey, clutching victory, turns to the Kid, smugly calling him "2nd best." The game concludes, leaving Melba and Slade seething, while Shooter extends his sympathy to Kid.
As the dust settles outside the hotel, the Kid crosses paths again with the shoeshine boy, this time losing a coin toss. With a heavy heart, he encounters Christian, leading to a tender embrace, the scene fading into darkness as Ray Charles' theme plays, encapsulating the unfolding drama of ambition, rivalry, and romance.
