With the exception of the characters' conversations away from the game, the entire final table scene was unscripted. Co-Writer and Director Zak Penn chose to play the entire final table for real, meaning that they did not know in advance which of the characters would win, and thus how the movie would end. Because of Ray Romano's shooting schedule, the scene between Lainie (Cheryl Hines) and Fred (Ray Romano) had to be filmed before the final table had been played. Two different scenes were shot to allow for Lainie to either win or lose. The alternative scene is included on the DVD.
The script was barely 29 pages long. Co-Writer and Director Zak Penn had the actors and actresses improvise.