Series synopsis
The Shell Game, also known as 千王之王 is a drama television series that premiered on TVB Jade on September 15, 1980. It ended on May 8, 1981. It stars Patrick Tse Yin, Liza Wong Ming-Chuen, Chow Yun-Fat and Simon Yam.
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 b ...
Premise
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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Patrick Tse Yin as 罗四海
- Liza Wong Ming-Chuen as 谭小棠
- Chow Yun-Fat
- Simon Yam as 谭升
- Peter Yang Kwan as 卓一夫
- Sidney Yim as 洪盈盈
- Richard Ng Man-Tat
- Lau Siu-Ming
Supporting cast
- Chan Ka-Yee as 容惠清
- Leong Oy
- Wong San as 洪彪
- Samuel Kwok Fung as 洪豹
- Rainbow Ching
- Wong Shu-Tong as 杨坚
- Jeem Yim
- Chow Chung as 霍万庭
- Chong Man-Ching
- Chow Gat as 陈师爷
- Andy Lau
- Chun Wong as 华天娇
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 45 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 25 | September 15, 1980 | October 17, 1980 |
| Season 2 | 20 | April 13, 1981 | May 8, 1981 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 On an express train to Canton, LAW SZE HOY, alias 'King Punter of the South', put on a show to deceive the other card-players into the believing that he was shot by his enemy and had them driven to jump-off the train. This was how he snatched all the money on the gambling table in an easy way. In town, SING, a performer of a Cantonese Opera, was tired of acting odd characters and dreamed of becoming a great punter. His thinkings and deeds were against the will of his sister, FAH, who devoted herself in the classical art. He played tricks in a casino run by LAW and was taken prisoner. To rescue his only brother, FAH plead apology by inviting LAW to a dinner on a boat. At first, friendliness and courtesy were the atmosphere but finally broke into a fight. In appreciation to FAH's beauty and courage, LAW released SING…… |
September 15, 1980 |
| 2 | Episode 2 | September 16, 1980 |
| 3 | Episode 3 | September 17, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 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. |
April 13, 1981 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 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. |
April 14, 1981 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 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. |
April 15, 1981 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | TVB Jade |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 15, 1980 |
| Last aired | May 8, 1981 |
| Status | ended |