Arnold Rothstein gains a reputation in 1920s New York City as an expert gambler. He so impresses mob boss Big Tim O'Brien that he is given a job in his illegal enterprises. Rothstein has a lifelong pal, Johnny Burke, and makes a deadly enemy, Phil Butler, a corrupt cop. He rises to become rich and well known in gambling circles, often using ruthless tactics, like tricking business partner Jim Kelly into sacrificing his half of their arrangement. Kelly had become an unreliable alcoholic, so Rothstein was partially justified. Although he has little time for a personal life, Rothstein impulsively marries Carolyn Green, an attractive actress. He devotes little effort to their marriage, his principal obsessions being to build a huge bankroll and to someday win a poker hand with a
royal flush. Their first day of married life is spent at the racetrack, where the groom spends time with everybody but his wife. Carolyn finds it amusing the first time, and not so amusing many other times. As his empire grows, so does his arrogance. Rothstein eventually sells out his only friend, resulting in Burke's being gunned down by thugs. He and lawyer Tom Fowler conspire to make sure Butler is exposed and convicted for his criminal activities. But Rothstein does nothing to prevent Fowler's disbarment, thus making another enemy. And the Burke incident has gained Rothstein a reputation as a stool pigeon. He finds himself ostracized by the gambling community. He is so hungry for action that he suspects nothing when gamblers from Chicago invite him to a high-stakes poker game. He is shot dead from underneath the table.He was holding a Royal Flush in Spades, including the "Ace Of Spades" death card. ==Cast==