Kenny Rogers stars as Brady Hawkes, as the titular gambler, embarks on a trip to satisfy a boy he never ever recognized after the last sends him a letter. Along the way, Brady fulfills Billy Montana (Bruce Boxleitner) as well as both come to be buddies. Billy (while trying to aid Brady in his quest) fantasizes himself as a specialist poker player on his own. Although Billy makes blunders in the process (a few of these include: searching for a means to rip off or do some smooth talking), Brady sees to it that he stays on etiquette throughout a train trip to Yuma, CA. The duo assistance prostitute Jennie Reed (Lee Purcell) that has difficulty with a train baron. At the end, Brady's boy's stepfather (Clu Gulager) is challenged.