House Operator

"House Operator" by Randall Garrett is a science fiction story where a gambler, Rafferty, tries to win back his lost money at the Ganymede Casino to pay off his debt. Set against a backdrop of futuristic gambling, the story focuses on a high-stakes poker game between Rafferty and Steel, the casino's house operator, exploring the themes of chance and skill. Rafferty, confident in his poker skills, soon discovers that Steel is a tough and mysterious opponent with the uncanny ability to adapt to Rafferty's strategies. Even though Rafferty wins certain hands, he ends up losing, barely escaping to another planet with the few chips he has left. In a surprising twist, it is revealed that Steel is actually a robot, changing our understanding of the game and questioning the idea of skill and competition.