LAST HAND

Based on the real-life cases documented in a book by Sandi Jerome

Logline: A brilliant young blackjack dealer with an extraordinary ability to detect cheaters uses her mathematical genius and keen instincts to work undercover for the Nevada Gaming Commission, while reconnecting with her con-artist father and transforming a run-down casino into something special.

Show Description: Last Hand follows the journey of Kimi, a 21-year-old blackjack prodigy who possesses an almost supernatural ability to count cards and detect fraud through her heightened sense of smell and mathematical intuition. Raised by her mother and a "village" of surrogate family members after her father was wrongly imprisoned, Kimi has spent her entire adult life working toward her dream of dealing at a prestigious Las Vegas super casino. When that dream is crushed by the same corrupt casino owner who destroyed her father's life, Kimi discovers that her greatest talents lie not just in dealing cards, but in exposing the cheaters and criminals who prey on honest gamblers. The series combines the high-stakes world of professional gambling with heartwarming family dynamics, workplace comedy, and procedural crime-solving elements. Each episode explores the colorful characters who inhabit Las Vegas's gambling underworld while following Kimi's personal journey of reconciling with her past, building her chosen family, and finding her place in a world where the house always wins unless you're smart enough to beat them at their own game.

Main Characters

Kimi (21)

Kimi is a mathematical prodigy whose childhood was shaped by abandonment, loss, and the need to survive in a world that didn't always make sense. Her ability to count cards while dealing, detect deception through scent, and maintain perfect composure under pressure makes her invaluable both as a dealer and as an undercover investigator. Despite her serious demeanor and professional focus, Kimi possesses a fierce temper that emerges when she encounters injustice or corruption. Her journey throughout the series involves learning to balance her need for independence with her desire for family connection, while discovering that her unique talents can be used to help others rather than just advance her own career. Her relationship with gambling is complex—she respects the mathematics behind the games while maintaining strict personal boundaries that prevent her from becoming a player herself.

Flip Ziegler (50s)

Flip is a master of disguise and gambling strategy whose love for his daughter was overshadowed by his addiction to the thrill of the game. His fifteen-year separation from Kimi was the result of both his wrongful imprisonment and his recognition that his gambling problem made him dangerous to his family's stability. Throughout the series, Flip serves as both mentor and cautionary tale, providing Kimi with the gambling expertise she needs while struggling with his own demons. His various disguises and personas allow him to move through different levels of Las Vegas society, gathering information and providing assistance when needed. His character arc involves earning back his daughter's trust while finding ways to channel his gambling skills into more constructive purposes.

Brad (30s)

Brad represents the intersection of law enforcement and gaming regulation, working as an undercover agent for the Nevada Gaming Commission. His initial attraction to Kimi is both professional and personal—he recognizes her exceptional abilities while being drawn to her fierce independence and moral compass. As Kimi's handler and eventual romantic interest, Brad provides access to the larger world of gaming enforcement while respecting her autonomy and unique approach to problem-solving. His character brings legitimacy and legal backing to Kimi's unconventional methods, while his own investigation into casino corruption provides ongoing series arcs that extend beyond individual episodes.

Supporting Characters

Mort and Sammy (60s-70s)

These two lifelong friends serve as Kimi's surrogate fathers and comic relief, having watched over her during Flip's absence. Their genuine care for Kimi combined with their own gambling habits creates both humor and heart in the series. Mort and Sammy represent the everyday gamblers who frequent Las Vegas casinos—not high rollers or professionals, but ordinary people looking for a little excitement and hoping for a lucky break. Their loyalty to Kimi and eventual employment at her casino demonstrates the series' theme about chosen family and second chances.

Pokey/Patricia (20s)

Pokey serves as Kimi's best friend and emotional anchor, providing the feminine perspective and social connections that balance Kimi's intensity. Her work as a cocktail waitress gives her access to casino floor gossip and customer behavior, making her an unofficial intelligence gatherer for Kimi's investigations. Her relationship with Kimi explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the different ways women can support each other in a male-dominated industry.

Tommy (30s)

Tommy brings warmth and stability to Kimi's world as the gorgeous bartender who provides both practical support and emotional grounding. His character helps explore themes of platonic love and chosen family, while his position at the bar makes him another set of eyes and ears for detecting unusual behavior among casino patrons. His relationship with Kimi demonstrates that meaningful connections don't always have to be romantic to be important.

Clyde (60s)

As the former owner of the Silver Boot Casino, Clyde represents the old-school Vegas establishment and serves as a mentor figure who helps Kimi understand the business side of casino operations. His willingness to sell his casino to Kimi and work with her to improve it shows the series' optimistic view that experienced professionals can support and guide younger generations rather than simply competing with them.

Themes

Last Hand explores the concept of chosen family and how people create support networks in unconventional circumstances. Kimi's "village" of casino workers, elderly gamblers, and service industry professionals demonstrates that family can be found in unexpected places and that loyalty and care don't always follow traditional bloodlines. The show suggests that real family is built through shared experiences, mutual support, and genuine concern for each other's wellbeing.

Another central theme involves the nature of luck versus skill and the importance of making your own opportunities rather than relying on chance. Kimi's philosophy that "we make our own luck" serves as the series' guiding principle, suggesting that success comes from preparation, intelligence, and hard work rather than hoping for favorable circumstances. This theme resonates beyond gambling to encompass career choices, relationships, and personal growth.

The series also examines justice and redemption, particularly through Flip's wrongful imprisonment and eventual vindication. The show suggests that corrupt systems can be challenged and changed by individuals willing to fight for what's right, while also acknowledging that redemption requires genuine effort and sometimes sacrifice. Kimi's work with the Gaming Commission represents a way to reform broken systems from within rather than simply avoiding them.

The title "Last Hand" reflects the series' central concept that every decision could be the final one that determines your fate, and that knowing when to hold and when to fold applies to life decisions as much as card games.

Tone

Last Hand maintains a balance between drama and comedy, using the colorful world of Las Vegas gambling to create both high-stakes tension and humorous situations. The tone is fundamentally optimistic, suggesting that intelligence, determination, and moral courage can overcome corruption and injustice. While the show doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of gambling addiction and criminal behavior, it maintains faith in the possibility of redemption and positive change.

The Las Vegas setting provides natural opportunities for visual spectacle and glamorous locations while also exploring the less glamorous side of the service industry and the lives of working-class people who keep the city running. The series treats its characters with respect and dignity regardless of their social status or profession, finding humor in situations rather than mocking people for their circumstances or choices.

The World

Last Hand takes place in the complex ecosystem of Las Vegas gambling, from run-down "grinder" joints to prestigious super casinos on the Strip. This world includes not only the gaming floors and high-roller suites but also the employee areas, residential neighborhoods, and support businesses that make the gambling industry possible. The show explores how different types of casinos serve different clienteles and how the industry affects everyone from dealers and cocktail waitresses to security guards and maintenance workers.

The Nevada Gaming Commission provides another layer of the world, representing the regulatory and legal framework that governs gambling operations. This setting allows the series to explore how laws and regulations are enforced, how corruption can undermine legitimate oversight, and how dedicated professionals work to maintain fairness and integrity in an industry built on risk and chance.

Pilot Episode

The pilot episode establishes Kimi's world and abilities while setting up the central conflicts that will drive the series. Beginning with a flashback to her childhood trauma and her father's arrest, the episode quickly establishes the stakes and emotional foundation of her character. The tournament storyline allows for exciting gambling sequences while demonstrating Kimi's exceptional abilities and introducing the supporting characters who will become her chosen family.

The pilot effectively balances multiple storylines—Kimi's personal journey, her professional challenges, and the larger conspiracy involving Arnie and the money laundering operation. The episode ends with Kimi's victory and her decision to buy the Silver Boot Casino, setting up the premise for the ongoing series while resolving the immediate conflict in a satisfying way.

Series Arc

The first season of Last Hand establishes Kimi's new life as casino owner and undercover gaming investigator while exploring her developing relationship with Brad and her ongoing reconciliation with Flip. Each episode combines a procedural case involving gaming fraud or corruption with ongoing storylines about running the Silver Boot and building relationships with her chosen family. The season arc involves Kimi learning to balance her various responsibilities while building confidence in her abilities and judgment.

The second season expands Kimi's role with the Gaming Commission while exploring more complex cases and deeper personal relationships. Her romance with Brad develops while she faces increasingly difficult decisions about her future career path. The season explores themes of work-life balance and the challenge of maintaining personal relationships while pursuing demanding professional goals.

The third season presents Kimi with major life choices about her future direction—whether to become a full-time gaming agent, return to dealing at a super casino, or continue running her own establishment. The season culminates in her decision to sell the Silver Boot, with the new owners providing a surprising twist that sets up future storylines.

Episode Structure

Last Hand follows a procedural format with ongoing character development and relationship arcs. Each episode typically features an A-story involving a Gaming Commission case that requires Kimi's unique skills to solve, a B-story focusing on challenges at the Silver Boot Casino, and a C-story exploring personal relationships and family dynamics. This structure allows for both episodic accessibility and serialized character development.

The A-stories provide opportunities for guest stars and explore different aspects of the gambling world, from high-stakes poker games to sports betting operations. The B-stories ground the series in the day-to-day reality of running a small business and create opportunities for humor and character development among the supporting cast. The C-stories ensure that emotional growth and relationship development remain central to the series' appeal.

Visual Style and Setting

Last Hand takes advantage of Las Vegas's unique visual opportunities, from the neon-lit glamour of the Strip to the more modest surroundings of neighborhood casinos. The contrast between different levels of the gambling world provides visual variety while supporting the show's themes about class, ambition, and finding your place in society. The Silver Boot Casino serves as the series' primary location, providing a home base that can be transformed and improved over time to reflect the characters' growth and success.

The gaming sequences require careful choreography to accurately depict card dealing, betting procedures, and the subtle signs that indicate cheating or fraud. The series' commitment to authenticity in these details supports the believability of Kimi's extraordinary abilities while educating viewers about the mathematics and psychology behind gambling games.

Why This Series

Last Hand fills a unique niche in television programming by combining workplace comedy, family drama, and procedural crime-solving in an authentic Las Vegas setting. The series offers a fresh perspective on the gambling world by focusing on the workers and regulators rather than the high-roller players typically featured in casino-based entertainment. The strong female protagonist with distinctive abilities provides representation for viewers who appreciate intelligence and skill over traditional action-hero tropes.

The series' optimistic tone and emphasis on chosen family makes it appealing to viewers seeking heartwarming content without sacrificing the excitement and visual appeal of the Las Vegas setting. The procedural elements provide episodic accessibility while the ongoing character relationships create appointment television that rewards regular viewing.

Most importantly, Last Hand celebrates the idea that exceptional abilities should be used to help others and fight injustice rather than simply for personal advancement. The series suggests that everyone has unique talents that can make a positive difference in the world, regardless of their background or circumstances. The title serves as a constant reminder that every choice could be the decisive one, and that knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is the key to both successful gambling and successful living.

What sets this apart is its authentic foundation. As the author of "Cases of Nevada's Gaming Commission: Decades of over 100 real-life Gambling Violations" (November 2024), I bring nearly two decades of documented gaming violations to the project. With both the completed series bible and over 100 real cases for storylines, "Last Hand" is fully realized and production-ready.