Idioms and Idiomatic expressions

This was a week for watching poker on television - mostly because my baseball team has disappointed me mightily.

I decided that meant we should discuss a couple of English Idioms that relate to card playing. The source is a personal collection.

According To Hoyle: Strictly by the rules, in the usual and correct way. One of the earliest and most popular companies to produce cards (and card games ) was Hoyle. They also published books which explained the rules of each card game.
"We will settle this dispute strictly according to Hoyle"


Ace In The Hole: Someone or something important that is kept as a surprise until the right time so as to bring a victory. From the card game "Black Jack", where to have an ace turned down so other gamblers cannot see it allows one with a ten to win the game without dispute.
"Little did my team know, our opponent still had an ace in the hole."


The first I would sign RULE FOLLOW with emphasis on FOLLOW (sign sharply).

The second I would sign SECRET HOLD.


All signs available at ASL Pro