*The Queen of Spades* is one of Alexander Pushkin’s most enigmatic novellas. Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s opera of the same name, frequent stage productions, and numerous screen adaptations bear eloquent witness to the work’s immense popularity; indeed, the famous three, seven, ace are known even to those unfamiliar with the story of Hermann. Rivaling it in popularity and literary significance are the narrative poems *Poltava*, *The Bronze Horseman*, and *Ruslan and Ludmila*—works with vastly different plots that are united by the enduring affection of readers and audiences alike, whether experienced through stage productions, film adaptations, or the original text.