After funding is cut for the school musical, a high school teacher resolves to earn it back by cheating at an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community.
A high school teacher in the Bronx loses funding for the school musical and convinces his fellow statistics teacher-secretly a card counter and recovering gambling addict-to help him cheat at an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community. The plan goes awry with mounting consequences, but help comes at an unexpected time from the least likely people.
On a brisk, spring day, a class of high school students somewhere in the Bronx are immersed in a history lesson. Their teacher, Bernstein, announces that class is about to end, and reminds them of their homework. He also reminds them that auditions are being held for the spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors, after school that day.
The bell rings and Bernstein goes to find his fellow teacher and friend, Jonah. Bernstein confides in Jonah that he hasn't heard back from the principal, O'Donnell, regarding an approved budget for the spring show. Jonah suggests that he simply ask her, and Bernstein reluctantly agrees to do it.
Shortly after, Bernstein cautiously broaches the topic with O'Donnell. She bluntly informs him that the school has no funding to spare and therefore his $10,000 budget request is denied. Bernstein, heartbroken, informs his excited students of the bad news later that day.
During the next morning's teachers' meeting, Bernstein sulks as O'Donnell awkwardly introduces a new long term sub, Deb. Deb visits his classroom after the meeting on a search for keys to the school library, which she was told he had. He walks her to the library and hands them off, noting their pleasant chemistry.
After school, Bernstein ventures deep into Queens to visit his grandfather, Mickey). Mia, Mickey's caretaker, greets him at the door and sends him upstairs. Bernstein and Mickey happily greet each other and then, on a more somber note, light a Yahrzeit candle. Mickey then calls for Mia and lightens the mood with the family-cherished card game, Yaniv.
Several rounds later, Mia leaves for a moment and Mickey asks Bernstein about his low spirits. Bernstein recounts his conversation with O'Donnell about the spring show budget. Mickey suggests that he raise the money by trying his luck at a Yaniv Club, a concept Bernstein had never heard of before. Mickey informs him that Yaniv has a deeply-rooted, secret history within the city's orthodox Jewish gambling community, and gives him the location of an old Jewish recreational center to check out.
A little later, Bernstein says his goodbyes and travels directly to the mysterious rec center. As he approaches the address, a group of orthodox Jewish men spot him and, in a panicked moment, he turns around. A few moments later, he regains his resolve to head back, but everyone is gone. He is then kidnapped by an orthodox man in an unmarked white van. They throw him inside, where he is interrogated by a man named Mendy, who asks why he's loitering around their property. Bernstein explains that he's looking for a game of Yaniv, and Mendy immediately gives him the scoop on how to join, as well as the secret password to get in: Blintz. Bernstein is then ejected from the van along with an instructional video cassette, and goes home.
The next afternoon, Bernstein finds Jonah grading math assignments in the high school cafeteria. He brings with him a TV on wheels and plays the videotape for Jonah. It is poorly made, yet clearly explains the rules of Yaniv. Bernstein shares his intentions to raise money for the spring show, and asks for Jonah's help. Jonah gives him a hard no, and emphasizes that his gambling days are over. Bernstein then persuades Jonah to help him develop a game play strategy with his statistical know-how.
Jonah soon dominates the game with his card counting abilities. Bernstein attempts to recruit him again, and succeeds by promising him 10% of the winnings-no strings attached, and no liability for any losses. They agree to gamble as a team, however Bernstein suggests that Jonah dress up orthodox so no one suspects collusion.
At that moment, Deb walks in and finds out that they're talking about Yaniv. She reveals that she also plays, and shows them her prowess within a few rounds. Jonah then lets slip his and Bernstein's plan to infiltrate the Yaniv club, which she asks to join. Bernstein declines her request, and explains that a woman would never be allowed in an orthodox Jewish men's casino. She walks out angrily, and Bernstein feels bad. He and Jonah then race against the clock to visit Mickey, who happens to be an ex-Broadway costume designer, before setting their plan in motion.
As they leave the school building, Deb sits in her car fuming. Then she receives a call from a debt collector. She is behind on her payments, and at risk of having her car repossessed. She cries.
One hour later, Bernstein and Jonah are at Mickey's place. Jonah is swiftly outfitted with the payos, beard, and garb of an orthodox Jewish man. Mickey hands Bernstein an envelope filled with cash as they leave, and wishes him luck.
Bernstein and Jonah buy some food at a bodega to pass the time before their big night. Jonah realizes he forgot his lucky baseball card, and insists that they drive to his home to grab it. Once there, Jonah runs into his home and grabs the card from his office room desk. On his way out, his pregnant wife, Emma, sees him-in full costume-and screams. Jonah sprints out, jumps into the car, and drives off. He receives a call from a terrified Emma, and lies to her that the man she saw was from a Jewish outreach program. Emma calms down, sends her love, and ends the call.
The two teachers drive to their destination. Bernstein vents about his budding feelings for Deb and reluctance to have a workplace romance-but Jonah is lost in a traumatic flashback.
It begins a few years ago with Emma driving Jonah to a LIRR station. He is traveling to a big casino for his cousin's bachelor party. Emma voices her concern about his exposure to gambling. He assures her that he will separate himself from the party and check out a list of Craigslist cars to replace their current one on the brink of collapse. They part ways and Jonah makes it to the casino.
Egged on by his cousin's frat boy posse, Jonah begins to drink and gamble. He loses a lot of money, then calls Emma for the pin to their joint bank account. He empties it of all the car money they had been saving up for over a year, and promptly loses it in a game of blackjack.
A couple days later, he and Emma walk out of her parents' house. Leo, her father, pulls him aside as she waits in the car, and chews him out for his recklessness. He gives him a check for a new car, a dire warning, and then sends him on his way.
The flashback has ended, and Bernstein and Jonah join a line of orthodox men already waiting. Bernstein joins first, followed by Jonah shortly after. A large van arrives and the men enter. They are driven to an unknown location. Once they arrive, they are ushered into an underground club single file. Upon uttering the password (Blintz), Bernstein and Jonah enter.
The scene is an absurd amalgamation of a performance venue, smoky casino, and enormous restaurant. A klezmer band plays as a hundred orthodox Jews from all over the city pour in. Waiters deliver orders and drinks to and from an open bar. Bernstein and Jonah pick a table to start playing.
They rack up a lot of cash as the night flies by. Bernstein notices that Jonah is losing touch with reality and has succumbed to his addictive nature. They are well over the $10,000 they set out to get that night, but Bernstein can't get Jonah to stop... until one of his payos falls off mid-game.
The gig is up and they make a run for it, only to be caught a minute later. Soon after, they find themselves in an office room at the club. Mendy briefly questions them, and then allows them to play all or nothing with their winnings against The Rebbe, the spiritual leader of the Yaniv club.
The entire club watches on as Bernstein, Jonah, and The Rebbe battle it out. Jonah is out of his mind, exhausted, and the first to lose. Then it's a close game between Bernstein and The Rebbe, which Bernstein ultimately loses. As the club rejoices, the two shysters escape. They are trailed by a man from the club who turns out to be Deb in disguise. She gifts them a bag with a grand in cash, a small fraction of what she has won so far, and returns to the club for more.
Outside of Jonah's place, Bernstein asks if he can crash for the night. They enter his home quietly, only to find Emma waiting. She details how, after the strange break in, she couldn't find anything missing... except for Jonah's lucky baseball card. As she gets more worked up, her water breaks. Bernstein and Jonah drive her to the hospital.
Bernstein sits in the waiting room until a doctor comes to inform him that the birth was a success, and that the couple has asked for him to leave or be escorted out by security. Bernstein leaves.
The next morning, Bernstein is teaching history class. A student points out a window and exclaims that some orthodox Jews are loitering outside the high school. Bernstein then gets a call from Mia explaining that orthodox men have visited his grandfather. Bernstein runs outside, is apprehended by the men, and driven away.
He is brought to Mendy and The Rebbe, who demand an apology and his signed consent to never set foot in their Yaniv club again. Bernstein apologizes, explains the situation with the spring musical, and signs his name.
On the drive back to the high school, Bernstein asks to be dropped off early. He enters a cemetery and spends a moment in front of two gravestones. They belong to his parents.
Outside of his classroom, Bernstein calls Jonah and leaves him an apology over voicemail. He hears piano music, and follows it to the music room. He finds Deb playing, and compliments her on her talent. He also tries to return the money she offered. She refuses, explaining that she respects his dedication to his students. He asks her if she wants to take part in putting on the show, which she happily accepts.
Bernstein, Deb, and the student actors rehearse for a month and prepare for opening night. Bernstein leaves Jonah another voicemail, apologizing again and inviting him to the show.
On opening night, Bernstein gives the cast and crew a pep talk and sends them to their places. He and Deb congratulate each other on their hard work. Then the stage manager notifies Bernstein that the stage hand in charge of the counterweights for curtains and set pieces is suspended from the school... for gambling. Bernstein takes on the responsibility himself.
The first act goes by relatively well considering Bernstein's clumsy and at times dangerous work with the counterweights. When they reach intermission, Bernstein rushes out of the auditorium for a break. He runs into Jonah, and they make amends. Jonah then informs him that he couldn't get a ticket because the show is sold out. Bernstein, confused, invites him to the wings of the theater to watch the second act.
The show ends and Bernstein runs out to join his cast for bows. The audience is filled with orthodox men and their families, applauding loudly. After the show, Mendy and The Rebbe walk up to Bernstein and Deb. Deb fears recognition and excuses herself. The Jewish leaders congratulate Bernstein on his work and introduce him to Sammy, a wealthy donor with interest in funding the arts at Bernstein's school. He exchanges contact information with Bernstein, and then leaves with Mendy and The Rebbe.
Mickey and Mia come up to Bernstein and Deb and congratulate them. Jonah enters, announcing to the group that principal O'Donnell left her office unlocked. Moments later they are all there, drinking and playing Yaniv (minus Jonah). Bernstein and Deb can barely keep their eyes off each other and hold hands.
