Hermann is a young engineering officer in the Russian Army and the son of a Russified German. Living a highly frugal life on his modest salary and inheritance, he strictly denies himself any luxury. Though naturally drawn to the thrill of gambling, he exercises severe self-restraint until he hears a rumor about a foolproof card trick. He begins stalking the streets to find a way into the household holding the secret.

Lizaveta is the young ward of Countess Anna Fedotovna. Existing in an awkward social position—too poor to be a true aristocrat but too high-class to be a servant—she is largely ignored at balls and treated poorly at home. She harbors quiet hopes of escaping her difficult living situation and projects these desires onto a young officer she sees waiting outside her window.

Countess Anna is an eighty-year-old aristocratic widow whose social influence has diminished over the years. Alienated from the modern world and bored with her existence, she takes out her frustrations on her young ward. According to family legend, she possesses a supernatural secret that guarantees victory at the card game faro, a trick she closely guards from her gambling-addicted descendants.

Tomsky is a wealthy aristocratic officer and the grandson of Countess Anna Fedotovna. Unlike Hermann, he comes from a family of privilege and can afford to lose money at cards without concern. He casually spreads the family rumor about his grandmother's supernatural gambling trick, unaware of the profound obsession it triggers in his peer.

Narumov is an officer in the Russian Army who enjoys hosting social events and gambling. He belongs to the wealthy aristocratic class, enjoying a life of comfort and leisure that sharply contrasts with Hermann's frugal existence.

Chekalinsky is an infamous and highly successful gambler who organizes large faro games for the local aristocracy. He operates as an experienced dealer willing to accept massive wagers from confident players.

Count Saint-Germain is an enigmatic figure from Countess Anna Fedotovna's past. According to Tomsky's story, he is the mysterious man who taught the young Countess a supernatural trick to win back her lost fortune at the French court.