Card Playing Metaphors

[DavidHouston]

I'm a pretty dull guy; I don't smoke, drink, gamble, or womanize. This sorry state of affairs (or lack thereof) dramatically limits the extent of my active Thai vocabulary. However, I find metaphorical words occasionally in reading the newspapers which come from gambling, especially card playing. Often these words are of Chinese origin.

Vocabulary picked up over time include:

คั่ว [V] wait for the winner in a card game; have to the winner card in one's hand; to be ready to pounce (DS)

ไต๋ – trump card

อมไต๋ – to have an ulterior motive

อุบไต๋ – to hold back; to keep secret

เผยไต๋ – to show one's cards

รู้ไต๋ – to know what someone is up to

จับไต๋ – to figure out what someone is up to

ม้วนเสื่อ – to lose one's shirt gambling; to go bust; lit. to roll up one's mat

เกทับ – to match and raise (in cards); to bluff

เดินหมาก [V] move; make a move (perhaps to make a calculated move, as in chess?)

Can you think of any additional, useful words that are derived from gaming, gambling, or card playing which can be used in everyday conversation? Thanks.

Edited October 20, 2007 by DavidHouston