Steve McQueen star as the Cincinnati Kid, a jimdandy New Orleans he-man stove poker participant. Tired of poulet provender, the Kid decide to dispute The Man, the reign stove poker champion, who is in town for a private game. The taw, another gamble pro, arrange a game between the Kid and the Man, with the taw dealing. The game is compromise by the intercession of Slade, an old foe of the Man’s who try to fix the result.