1980s. A well-fed man named Michael Larson tries to pass the audition for the TV show "Try Your Luck," posing as someone else, but the deception is exposed and he is escorted out of the TV studio. However, the show's producer Bill decides to give the man a chance, for in his view he is the perfect contestant: an ordinary man for whom getting on the beloved TV show is the dream of a lifetime. Overcoming his nerves, Michael, during the game, demonstrates excellent results and soon begins to contend for the record prize in the show's history, putting the program at risk of bankruptcy. Astonished by the newcomer's phenomenal luck, the show's organizers suspect him of fraud and try by any means to resolve the situation to their advantage.