series 411: "best bet"

English Title: Best Bet
Cantonese Title: Ying Chai Jip Fook
Vietnamese Title: Nghia Vo Tinh Chong
Casts: Michael Tse, Linda Chung, Wayne Lai, Anne Heung, etc.
Length: 20 episodes (Cantonese) // 15 tapes (Vietnamese)
Release Date: February 2007 (Canto) // April 2007 (Viet)
Genre: Period Comedy/Drama/Gambling

Note: Please credit "MetalAZNWarrior" and/or this site if you should use my translation of the series' plot! I worked hard to translate it, so please don't just steal or use it for another site without my permission and/or credit. Thank you!

Synopsis:
Love the wife enough,
Wealth and fortune naturally comes!

Young master Hor Yi (Michael Tse Tin Wah) is the son of a prosperous Foshan pawn shop owner. Since childhood, if he doesn't gamble, he won't be happy. Furthermore, if he gambles, he must win. One time, he gambled for three days and three nights. As a result, he collapses due to exhaustion. Luckily, Do Lai Ying (Linda Chung Ka Yan) passes by and saves him.

Yi searches for Ying because he fell in love with her at first sight. She deeply detests gambling. However, things are unpredictable and by mistake, Ying later on becomes Yi's wife! After marriage, Yi is determined to give up gambling. Unfortunately, Yi can't let go of his addiction. Ying is very disappointed at Yi. Who could imagine that he still doesn't repent and even blames her for his losses!

Ying decides to leave Foshan for Hong Kong to study medicine. After repenting his past mistakes, will Yi be able to win back his wife's heart and receive her blessings?

My thoughts: The synopsis doesn't sound too good... I don't like how it was so simplistic and just focused on Michael and Linda's characters. I don't think a "full" picture of the series was really painted. Therefore, I still have my faith in Best Bet and think it won't just be about the marriage between "Yi" and "Ying" and the problems that result from his gambling addiction and end with him fighting to win her back. I'm curious to see how and why "Ying" will marry "Yi" since she hates gambling so much and of course to see how their relationship develops and how he will win her back. TVB is really pushing the "wife" theme for the New Year in this series. I'm also interested in the other characters - it should be a very entertaining and hopefully hilarious and touching series, seeing how it comes from the producer of one of 2006's best series and unexpected gem, Safe Guards.