The episode’s main charm is just how casually the characters accept their bizarre situation. Tony’s friend Jake (Garrett Morris) is the first to notice that the mysterious newcomer keeps getting all sixes in his hands; when the Devil goes into the kitchen for a bit and they peak at his cards to find another three sixes, they all simply accept that this man is indeed the Devil and he must be here to claim one of their souls. Most stories like this have that obligatory period of disbelief, where the Devil must take the time to convince them of the situation. “Dealer’s Choice” skips right by it.
The episode also gives New Jersey viewers a fun cheer-worthy moment when Jake goes off on the Devil’s dishonorable method of stealing Peter’s soul. “It may not be the way you do it in Hell,” he says, “but up here in New Jersey, we do things a little different!” What’s funnier is the Devil’s reaction to this argument. “What the hell,” he says, “It’s a Friday, I can sleep late tomorrow.” The implication is that the Devil works a standard nine to five just like the average boring human. The stakes in this story are absurdly high — at least from Peter’s perspective — but the way the characters go about it is surprisingly mundane.
The segment, which was directed by Wes Craven of all people, is rarely ranked at the top of viewers’ favorite installments of “The Twilight Zone,” but it’s still a fun time with a surprising, delightful ending. It may be far from Freeman’s most famous role, but his funny, charming performance here makes clear exactly why he’d become one of the biggest stars in the world within just a few years.