S01E01 — A Piece of the Action
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
S01E01 A Piece of the Action
Duke Marsden is on the verge of losing his wife due to his gambling addiction. She issues him an ultimatum: quit poker or lose her for good. Choosing to give it up, Duke thinks he’s made the right decision. However, his younger brother Chuck soon shows up, eager to join a high-stakes poker game. Duke sets up a match with some of his old friends, hoping to teach Chuck a lesson, but to his surprise, Chuck starts winning big. When the other players complain, Duke realizes he needs to intervene. He shows up at the game and uses a marked deck to ensure Chuck loses everything. Bitter and broke, Chuck storms out, while Duke's friends grow suspicious of him, doubting his integrity. Returning home, devastated by his actions, Duke apologizes to his wife and dies in her embrace.