In NBC's "The Player" Season 1 premiere, security expert Alex Kane (Philip Winchester) discovered an elite gambling organization called the House that is led by casino pit boss Mr. Johnson (Wesley Snipes). Kane joined the group, whose wealthy members place bets on whether he can stop future crimes, in hopes that they'll help him catch his ex-wife Ginny Kane's (Daisy Betts) murderer.

On Thursday's "The Player" episode 2, "Ante Up," the House raises the stakes on Kane.

In the trailer for episode 2 "Ante Up," Kane searches for answers about Ginny's death. His best friend Det. Cal Brown (Damon Gupton) tells him, "Ginny's assailant left the country."

Kane says that he needs to find him because he shot her in cold blood and he wants to know why.

In the next scene, Mr. Johnson announces, "We have a new game."

The House tests their new Player by pitting him against a violent crew of armored car hijackers.

"When they hit, they hit hard," Mr. Johnson warns Kane, "and people die."

The hijackers perform a diamond heist. In the clip, the perpetrators are shown throwing grenades at pursuing police cars on a highway.

While attempting to stop the diamond heist, Kane meets up with a former colleague who is looking for information.

Mr. Johnson and Cassandra King (Charity Wakefield) step in and threaten to call off the bets. She also reminds the gamblers of the sniper still at large. 

"Can Alex stop the sniper before he kills again?" King asks the wealthy gamblers.

In another scene, Brown confronts Alex. He knows that his friend is hiding something.  

"You are mixed up in something, Alex, and I want to know what," he demands.

Kane confronts Mr. Johnson about Ginny, believing that he had something to do with her death.

"Do you think your wife is still alive?" Mr. Johnson asks Kane.

'She's out there. I know you were involved. I know it was you," Kane responds angrily. 

Later, Kane attends Ginny's funeral and discovers shocking new evidence about her murder.

Watch "The Player" Season 1, Episode 2 "Ante Up" airs Thursday, Oct. 1, at 10 p.m. on NBC.