Lobanov has a conflict with Irina (who's jealous towards Olga) about him still sticking around with his ex-wife. To mend the situation, he invites Irina to a restaurant... unfortunately, Phil decided to adhere this same restaurant with Olga, which they only finds out when it's already too late. Phil actually considers leaving, but Irina insists for them to stay, and sit nearby. This results in a scandal when Phil (again) gets hit in the face (this time with a door, by some random visitor), and both Irina and Olga accuses Semyon of doing this; fortunately, the situation gets defused before it escalates too far.
Kisegach finds out that Bykov plans to adhere a poker tournament tonight, despite her previously forbidding any card games in the hospital. He assures her that he would not do anything like this... but of course, it's a lie. Unfortunately, Gleb must stay at the hospital today, because he can't sleep at home (Semyon needs some privacy with Irina). Since Bykov can't kick him out, he invites him to play poker, too. They soon gets joined by Varya. She has a lot of enthusiasm, but zero skill, and quickly loses most of her money. When Bykov leaves to toilet (and Kupitman goes with him, because Bykov can't trust him enough to not try to cheat), only Gleb and Varya remains. Gleb suggests to cooperate (via secret code phrases) to strip Kupitman and Bykov of all their money (regardless of who wins afterwards, they can simply divide money). Unknowingly to them, Bykov and Kupitman comes with the very same plan against them. This quickly leads to both teams realising that the other one is cheating, and insisting on playing fair. At the last moment, Kisegach appears and orders them to stop, but Gleb fakes hysteria (this is his last chance to win some normal money and interrupt the circle of poverty), so she gives them some more time to finish. To everyone's surprise, Gleb wins and leaves with Varya... and only then Bykov reveals to shocked Kupitman that he let Gleb win, because he really needs those money more than them.
This episode provides examples of:
- Backstory of the Day: We learn that Varya's parents and grandfather are gambling addicts (and she had inherit it). It's the first and last time this gets mentioned in any way.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Irina is seriously jealous of Semyon, who still can't leave Olga alone. She insist that Lobanov must cut ties with Olya. When Phil and Olga accidentally attains the same restaurant where Semyon had invited Irina, Irina insists that they should stay (when Phil tries to leave), and sit nearby (when Semyon suggests a place far away, so they would not contact). She does this deliberately, to "check" how Semyon would behave. She stops suspecting him when evening goes nice and without any provocations, and apologises.
- Compressed Vice: Varya's gambling addiction would never come up again after this episode, despite supposedly being innate.
- The Gambling Addict: The reason why Varya (initially) refuses to play poker with Bykov, Kupitman and Gleb is that her grandpa once lost his house because of poker. Also, her parents nearly divorced after something related to Preferans, and she fears that it may be In the Blood. It is; after Gilligan Cut, she enthusiastically (perhaps, too enthusiastically) starts playing... but, as it quickly turns out, she has zero understanding how this game even works (which gets lampshaded by Bykov). She adapts surprisingly quickly, but she's still overly emotional about both victories and failures (which highly contrasts with extreme calmness of other players, including Gleb). She also inherits her father's slang, which surprises Bykov and makes Kupitman laugh. Though, despite all her enthusiasm, she's a terrible player and quickly loses most of her money. When the game ends, Varya suggests to start all over again. Kupitman responds by reminding her about her grandfather's story.
- Gilligan Cut: Varya insist that she would not play poker with Bykov, Kupitman and Gleb (she has "bad hereditary"). Cut to her (very enthusiastically) going all-in.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Semyon finally accepts Olga's relationship with Phil; he wants better for her, and Phil is nice enough guy and would be a good match for her.
- Not What It Looks Like: Played for Drama. Phil gets accidentally hit in his nose with a door. It was done by the other visitor, but Irina, who'd seen Phil and Semyon moving to the toilets together just before that, mistakes this for Semyon injuring Phil out of jealousy. As she previously ordered Semyon to leave Olga alone, she considers this to be him breaking his promise. Olga isn't happy either, as Lobanov already did hit Phil in the face once. Both Irina and Olga immediately accuses Semyon of assaulting Phil, and only said visitor's timely appearance saves the situation
- Pet the Dog: Despite being perfectly able to win, Bykov passes and lets Gleb to win instead. He explains it as Gleb needing the money more, while he and Kupitman may afford losing one time. Gleb at first gloats about the winning, but later returns to invite them to celebrate together, which they accepts.
- Spy Speak: Gleb cooperates with Varya to defeat Bykov and Kupitman and strip them of their money. Unknowingly to them, Bykov cooperated with Kupitman against them, and they have a secret code, too. This leads to... interesting dialogues. Both sides breaks the other one's codes, with Bykov being first to point it out. After that, Bykov congratulates Gleb on a good attempt, and suggests to play fair, without codes.
- Stealth Insult: The visitor who previously accidentally hit Phil with a door appears again just when Semyon gets chewed out by both Olga and Irina. When he tries to apologise for appearing in the "wrong time", Semyon sarcastically says that he always appears "just in time".
