Spanish expressions that came from card games

Everyday Spanish is full of phrases that came straight from the card table, such as telling someone a few home truths, being something else or bluffing. Expressions such as sota (jack), caballo (knight) and rey (king) or having an as (ace) up your sleeve show just how much playing cards have influenced the way people speak.

Distinctively Spanish expressions

• Telling someone a few home truths: telling someone plainly what you think. It comes from Tute (a Spanish trick-taking game) and related games. Its origins.
• Being something else: enormous or tremendous. From Mus (a Spanish bluffing game). Its story.
• Sota, caballo and rey: the same old thing, with no surprises. What it means.

Bluffing and trickery

• Bluffing: pretending to have something you don’t. More here.
• Having an ace up your sleeve: keeping a secret resource in reserve. More here.

Expressions about strategy

• Playing your cards right: making the most of what you have.
• Holding a card back: keeping a resource in reserve.
• Laying your cards on the table: speaking plainly.
• Having a good hand: having good cards or skill.

And a few more

Going all in, staking everything on one card, not knowing which card to choose or a house of cards (something fragile). The card table has certainly left its mark on the way people speak.