Tazza: The High Rollers 2007

In 1994, we meet Goni (originally named Kim Gon), a recent university graduate who finds himself in dire straits after losing his entire savings, alongside money that belonged to his family, particularly his older sister. This unfortunate turn of events comes as a result of being swindled by deceptive gamblers, namely Park Moo Sik and Kwak Cheol Yong. Determined to recover his lost funds, Goni embarks on an intensive journey into the world of deception and gambling, training under Mr. Pyeong—one of the nation’s top gamblers, often referred to as Officer Pyeong, who ranks among the top three along with Agui from Jeolla Province and JJakgwi from Gyeongsang Province. His reputation grows as he travels across the country, honing his skills alongside Pyeong.

As Goni navigates this perilous world, he catches the eye of Madam Jeong, who operates an underground gambling business and becomes the mastermind behind various fraud schemes. Their connection grows complicated as romantic feelings develop, prompting Goni to leave Pyeong due to their differing philosophies on gambling. In a shocking turn, Pyeong attempts to deter Goni from this lifestyle in a dramatic act of self-harm, only for Goni to inadvertently cross paths with the deadly Agui, notorious for eliminating his opponents post-match.

The tension escalates when Goni receives devastating news—Mr. Pyeong has been discovered murdered, his wrist cruelly sliced, which points fingers at Agui’s vicious nature. Consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge, Goni gears up for a decisive confrontation with Agui. In the midst of his ventures, he encounters Ko Gwang Ryol, a fellow card shark who joins him in this critical endeavor. With Goni’s skills sharpening through lessons from JJakgwi and developing feelings for Hwa-ran, he balances his gambling aspirations with financially supporting his family.

Before facing Agui, Goni seeks to outsmart Kwak Cheol-yong but is ultimately apprehended. In a desperate moment, he orchestrates a chaotic scene that results in the demise of Kwak’s team during a car accident. Concurrently, Raccoon uncovers that Madam Jeong orchestrated Pyeong’s demise by dispatching her bodyguard to carry out the murder. The plot thickens as Ko challenges Agui, sustaining injuries in the process.

In the showdown between Goni and Agui, supported clandestinely by Madam Jeong, Goni manages to turn the tides, resulting in Agui’s devastating loss. However, the game unravels deeper layers of treachery as suspicions about Madam Jeong surface, leading to both she and Agui losing everything they once held. As the climax culminates with a fierce confrontation on a train, Goni mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind the remnants of his former life as he delves into yet another type of gambling.