Card Idioms and Why Do We Use Them so Often?

December 31, 2019 Ken Johnson

Let’s be honest from the start – gambling has always been a trendy topic among people! Whether we’re talking about any type of casino risk or an uncertain pursuit of career development, for example, this word has always been used to describe risky situations. Therefore, more or less, gambling has become a part of our lives and since card games like poker are so loved and popular among people, it’s logical for poker idioms to have a place in our everyday conversations as well. That’s why we’ve dedicated a whole article on the subject, so you can see our list of poker idioms listed below!

Card Idioms and The Top Poker Phrases We Use

Deal Me In

First on our list of poker phrases idioms is the very popular ‘deal me in’. For people outside of the poker world, this phrase means that either a player has come back from a break or is just joining the table. With this request, he asks to be dealt a hand so he can participate in the pot. While this may be a straightforward explanation for some people, in reality, this idiom is used on a regular basis from people who want to be included in a particular activity. For those of you who want to be dealt with in the further reveal of poker idioms, make sure to stay with us until the end!

Good Deal

Using this poker phrase has become so often, that it’s more often mentioned by people from outside of the gambling industry than from regular gamblers themselves. A ‘good deal’ in the world of poker means that the player likes his cards and the combination he has made with them. When we talk about everyday slang, the ‘good deal’ phrase is often used when the person likes the bargain he completed due to certain conditions which were meat the right way. Speaking of that, if you’re in search of a good deal when playing online poker, make sure to check our guide for the best poker websites in the UK today!

Put Your Cards on the Table

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past couple of decades, you surely have heard that poker phrase! Putting your cards on the table in the world of gambling means to show your cards and the combination you’ve made literally. In the modern slang, however, this phrase means to be open and honest about something. It can also be used in a conversation when a person wants somebody to tell the truth. However, be cautious and put your cards on the table only for people who you trust and don’t have bad intentions!

The Stakes Are Too High

This is another phrase from the list of poker idioms which is frequently used by many people. When we talk about gambling, this poker idiom is pretty self-explanatory – the player simply doesn’t like the high bet he has to pay and quits the hand by folding. In a normal conversation, the meaning is similar, but it can be used in a variety of situations. Most frequently it is used to express unwillingness to take up a certain risk since a person might consider that it’s not worth the effort. Whether it’s in gambling or in life, we encourage you always to assess correctly the situation and if the stakes are too high, consider shifting your focus elsewhere!

Cash In One’s Chips

When it comes to gambling, this is maybe one of the most awaited-to-say phrases from players. To cash in on your chips means to trade them at the cashier for real money and enjoy your funds. However, the meaning outside from the poker world isn’t all that awaited and it is used for the most unpleasant event in life – to pass away. Furthermore, if you are just taking up online poker with the intention to regularly cash in on your chips, you might want to go through our article about what to expect when playing online poker.

Ace in the Hole

The poker idioms list continues with yet another great phrase. Ace in the hole is a poker term, used to tell that one of the hole cards – the ones that are dealt face down to players– is an ace. Since this is the highest card one could get not only in a game of poker but in a game of cards in general, the ace has become a symbol of power and best advantage. Therefore, in real life having an ace in the hole means to have a truly valuable advantage over someone or something.

Poker Idioms Include Mentioning Aces

Hold All the Aces

Another great expression of demonstrating power is to hold all the aces. Although having four aces in poker isn’t the strongest hand, it’s still the third-best combination a player can have. In life,however, using this poker phrase means that someone is considered to be unbeatable and has tremendous power in a certain situation. When it comes to poker information, if you want to hold all the aces, our list of best online poker sites might help you in that direction with a great variety of events and appealing bonuses!

To Up the Ante

Last but not least, we’ve added another frequently used phrase from the world of card idioms. The ante is a bet at poker, paid from everybody who is participating in the poker hand before it has even started. Logically, to up the ante means to increase the size of this initial bet. Outside of the poker table, people use this phrase when they decide either to risk more in a situation or increase the power of a certain conflict or dispute. Although the possibility to ante up in a particular situation is always there, make sure to be certain in your abilities!

Poker Idioms Will Always Have Their Place in Modern Speech

Undoubtedly, these poker playing card idioms have found a way in our everyday speech not only because they’re interesting, but because of the ever-expanding poker industry as well. Various casino jokes also help a lot in the popularizing of this card game and the phrases it comes with. When we also add in the mix the fact that poker has become one of the most easily accessible gambling games today, this really contributes to the wider use of poker phrases. Time will tell whether poker jargon will become even more used in modern life, but if we have to bet on it, we do believe this will happen sooner than expected!

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Last Updated on 6 Aug 2020 by Ken Johnson