On a whim, Ray and Jewel Kaiser decide to check out the new floating
casino that has opened near their home in Biloxi, Mississippi.
After one
night of gambling, the Kaisers are hooked. What starts out as a thrill and a diversion soon becomes a compulsion. Ray and Jewell find themselves reading up on blackjack strategy and sneaking off to the
casino, all the while trying to set an example of responsibility for their teenage daughter, RV.
Finally, one night, Ray loses it all. Heavily in debt, the family is forced to sell their house and move in with Frank's mother. As the Kaiser's try to get back on their feet, they're surprised to find that, in many ways, their lives have actually improved since they lost all their money. Having made it through their darkest hour with humor and loyalty, the Kaisers watch together as the sun rises again.