to play one's cards

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. [1913 Webster]

First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul.— Herbert.[1913 Webster]

2.To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ. [1913 Webster]

3.To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin. [1913 Webster]

4.To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks. [1913 Webster]

Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

5.To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman. [1913 Webster]

Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

6.To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball. [1913 Webster]

7.To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it. [1913 Webster]

To play hob, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief.

To play off, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks.

To play one's cards, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive.

Played out, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]