When a stranger kidnaps an American tourist in Rome, the police are sent an email from an indiviual who calls himself "the card player." The mysterious man claims he's the kidnapper and has concrete proof to back up his story. He challenges the police to a game of video poker in a chat room--the stake is the life of the disappeared girl. When the police don't take the bait, he kills the girl and sends out her grusome pictures on the internet, sparking a manhunt between the team of investigators and the seriel killer.