The invention relates to a method for operating a gas engine having at least one combustion chamber, in particular for a motor vehicle, wherein a gaseous fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber in order to operate the gas engine, the gaseous fuel being injected directly into the combustion chamber within a working cycle of the gas engine during at least two phases spaced apart from each other in time, the at least two phases beginning and ending before the first ignition occurring within the working cycle.