What is "to play one's cards"

Play \Play\, v. t.

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

   First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul.
   --Herbert.

2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

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

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

   Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies.
   --Milton.

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.

   Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt.
   --Sir W. Scott.

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.

7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

   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.]