The Shell Game

1980 – 1981
Ended
Drama
2 seasons
5.3/10

Set in 1930s Guangdong, when the gambling industry was in full bloom. One of the greatest gamblers in all of Southern China is Law Sei Hoi, who is dubbed as "Divine Eyes of the South" due to his keen eyesight, which he has used to win a great number of games. In addition to his recognition as a highly-skilled gambler, Law Sei Hoi is the owner of a number of casinos in Guangzhou. Tam Sing, an orphan, wanting to be a gambler himself, pursues Law Sei Hoi, asking him to accept him as a disciple. A blossoming romance begins to emerge between his teacher, Law Sei Hoi and his older sister, Tam Siu Tong, who is a well-known Cantonese opera singer. Hung Biu, the rival of Lo Sei Hoi and a gambling tycoon from Guangxi, however, plans to take over the Guangzhou gambling industry.

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Latest: Season 2 · 1981

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E1. Episode 1
Apr 13, 1981 · 46m
It is five peaceful years since TAM SING emerges as King Punter on the retirement of his two masters. Rivalries subsides for a time, but casinos remain the nosiest spot in town. One day, AH LOON and his partner OLD CAT huddle around a gambling table, and in the middle of the game, they start a brawl because OLD CAT is caught cheating. He is instantly 'killed'. AH LOON quickly disappear with all the money and later the 'dead body' is found to be a dummy. They are then chased after by gangsters and AH LOON flees to Shanghai. On his way, AH LOON meets TAM SING whom he tries to cheat with childish skills. When he finds that the man is the King Punter, he begs to serve him as master but in vain. In the funeral for the late King Punter of the North, the new successor, TO I SHOD challenges TAM SING and sparks off new rivalries.
E2. Episode 2
Apr 14, 1981 · 46m
It ends a drawn game. TAM flatly declines TO's second proposal of challenge and quietly leaves Shanghai. M LOON feels pretty disappointed and turns to TO for his new target. To raise money for the bet, the crook plays his tricks again at several gambling tables. On one occasion, he even swindles a lady reporter, FOK SZE LING, and gets her camera. When everything is ready, the lad wittily gets TO accept his challenge. And logically enough; he also gets himself beaten in the game and has to suffer several humiliation of strolling half-naked through the streets.
E3. Episode 3
Apr 15, 1981 · 47m
So AH LOON ends up as the cheap little crook he used to be and loaf about at::the back street gambling tables. In fact he is not always the winner and cheated by a man called Q-IAN YIM PARK. AH LOON begs the man to teach him cheating skills but again in vain. QHAN only let him work in the garden so the young man patiently waits, hoping that his patience would pay. On the other hand, FOK is assigned to do an interview with T0, who would enter the national mahjong game contest. The assignment fails because TO is reluctant to speak. FOK returns to the office and gets badly bawled out. l. furiously resigns.
E4. Episode 4
Apr 16, 1981 · 46m
FOK learns from the newspaper of a vacancy for the post of family tutor. When she arrives at the house, the master is out but she quickly gets herself acquainted with the little boy. Soon she determines to leave at once because the boy is wild arid plays nasty tricks on her. The father returns and it is T0. TO feels very embarrassed and convinces FOK to stay. To raise the hundred dollars application fee for the mahjong game contest, AH LOON performs his old tricks again. When he gets the money, he meets someone who wants bad and he gives it all away. Fortunately AH LOON still makes it with the help of GM, and starts off series of exciting mahjong matches with TO in the contest.
E5. Episode 5
Apr 17, 1981 · 45m
AH LOON beats T0. He is so happy that buzzes around grabbing people to celebrate with him. FOK rejects, so does Q-IAN. CI-IAN even scolds him and makes him aware of the whole truth. Until then does AH LOON discovers the secret of the events that is happening to him. His winning the contest, his relationship with CHAN ..... , are all part of the plan of T0. TO sees the potential in the young man and is ready to train him as king punter someday. When AH LOON learns this, he is so happy that he cannot sleep. And the next day, he goes over to visit TO and directs his apologies.
E6. Episode 6
Apr 20, 1981 · 46m
Ever since TO arrives at Shanghai, HUNG has been poorly beaten at the garbling table times after times. To retaliate for the humiliation, HUNG carries off TO's son, JUN and FOK as hostages and states that they will not be released unless TO manages to beat him again for 7 consecutive times. After some tense and thrilling battles of wit and skill, TO wins the gates, and with the dedicated effort of AH LOON, the hostages are recovered. TO is grateful and moves AH LOON into his own house. Meanwhile, HUNG is planning a second time revenge. He persuades his father's mistress, U LAN to help him by seducing T0. But it is in vain. ULAN desperately turns to FOK and offers her twice her salary to make her leave the house. Again the efforts fail. To make matters worse, TO's divorced wife, YOUNG suddenly returns from France to claim her child. Neither party give way and the issue is put before court.