In the scorching desert, a man down on his luck sits outside a diner until a kind stranger, Sydney, buys him a cup of coffee and takes him to Reno to learn the ins and outs of small-time professional gambling. With Sydney's guidance, John's fortunes change, but his newfound success is put to the test when he falls for Clementine, a captivating cocktail waitress with a complicated past.

Hard Eight
A seasoned gambler mentors a young protégé, imparting his knowledge of high-stakes betting, only to see the student's skills eclipsed by his obsession with a charming waitress.