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Reader question: Please explain “tip his hand” in this paragraph (Arsene Wenger says reported two-year deal with PSG is ‘fake news’, FoxSports.com, March 21, 2017): Arsene Wenger’s long tenure at Arsenal might soon be over, but the Frenchman won’t tip his hand with regards to his next move. He’s already said that he intends to continue managing if leaves the Gunners, so naturally there’s been speculation about where he’d wind up. My comments: Arsene Wenger is the manager of English football club Arsenal. He’s been at the post for, let me see, over twenty years, since 1996. This year, rumors again surfaced that the Frenchman intends to leave the London club and bring his managerial talents elsewhere. Amongst the rumors was that he would go back to France, to PSG, or Paris St. Germain. Wenger refuted this rumor, calling such reports “fake news”. He has since decided to stay at Arsenal but at the time of this report, he was undecided and would not tip his hand. That means he wouldn’t reveal any detail about his plans. To tip one’s hand, you see, is to tell all. This is originally an expression from poker, the card game. Here, hand refers to the cards a player has in his or her hand. Tip is the same as in “tip one’s hat” (to show respect), i.e. to tilt. If a player tips or tilts his or her hand, other players may be able to see their cards – hence gaining an advantage. In the card game, one’s cards are one’s army and one’s weaponry. Of course, when you’re fighting a battle, you won’t want your enemies to know anything about your army. | 
