The Gambler — Chapter II

The narrator enters the Roulettenberg casino angry at playing on Polina Alexandrovna’s behalf. The crowd and the rituals of “aristocratic” play repel him, and he contrasts gentlemanly pretense with the desperate, earnest play of the masses. Determined to change his fortunes, he decides to observe first and risk little.

Unsure of the rules, he resolves to wager only 100 gulden of Polina’s money. He loses 50 on even, wins on red, then lets the winnings ride twice more on red, reaching 400. He stakes 200 on a dozen and wins, lifting his total to 800, then places the entire 800 on even, wins again, and departs with 1600 gulden, convinced such luck would not have come had he played for himself.

Later, over supper, the General pointedly warns that the narrator’s gambling would compromise him whether he wins or loses. Afterward, the narrator gives Polina the 1600 gulden but declares he will not play for her again, insisting he must gamble for himself. Polina proposes going halves and offers him 800 on condition of partnership; he refuses, claiming he cannot win when playing for others.

Polina muses that she pins hopes on his roulette and insists he should play as her equal partner and will ultimately obey her wishes, leaving before he can argue further. The encounter cements the narrator’s resolve to gamble independently and foreshadows conflict between his pride and Polina’s demands.