California Split 1974

In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, a friendship forms between Bill Denny and Charlie Waters, both drawn together by their mutual love for gambling. Their bond strengthens after a terrifying incident where a card player, whose earnings they had taken, violently assaults and robs them. Charlie, a quick-witted jokester living with two prostitutes, is a veteran gambler always on the hunt for the next big win. His betting ventures span a range of activities including poker, horse racing, boxing, and any scenario that presents favorable odds.

On the other hand, Bill is initially a reluctant participant in this gambling lifestyle. By day, he works at a magazine while cleverly avoiding his boss. However, he is on a slippery slope, drawing closer to a full-blown gambling addiction. As they navigate through Charlie’s dwellings, Bill’s workplace, dive bars, card rooms, and various sports venues, Bill becomes captivated by the thrills of gambling. To fund his escalating habit, he digs deep into debt with Sparkie, his bookie, and goes as far as pawning his belongings, including his car, to pay for a bus ticket to Reno.

During their trip, Charlie identifies the thug who victimized them at the beginning of the film. Seizing the moment for payback, he takes matters into his own hands and robs the assailant. As they head towards Reno, the duo decides to pool their funds to enter Bill into a tense poker game featuring the legendary former world champion Amarillo Slim, who plays himself. Bill’s luck shines as he wins a generous $18,000, filling him with confidence in his winning streak.

With newfound boldness, Bill shifts his focus to blackjack, roulette, and ultimately craps, raking in more money with every game. Yet, a devastating loss at the craps table leaves him emotionally wrecked and indifferent towards gambling. Despite Charlie’s excitement to chase their luck at other casinos, Bill makes the decisive choice to call it quits and return home after they split their winnings of $82,000. Though Charlie is puzzled by Bill’s resolution, he recognizes the sincerity in his friend’s decision, leading them to part ways amicably.