     a card sharp (also spelled cardsharp, card shark or cardshark) is a person who uses skill and deception to win at poker or other card games. "sharp" and "shark" spellings have varied over time and by region. the label is not always intended as pejorative, and is sometimes used to refer to practitioners of card tricks for entertainment purposes. in general usage, principally in american english and more commonly with the "shark" spelling, the term has also taken on the meaning of "expert card gambler who takes advantage of less-skilled players", without implication of actual cheating at cards, in much the same way that "" or "pool hustler" can (especially when used by non-players) be intended to mean "skilled player" rather than "swindler". a card sharp/shark (by either of the gambling-related definitions) may be a "rounder" who travels, seeking out high-stakes games in which to gamble. ==etymology and usage== according to the prevailing etymological theory, the term "shark", originally meaning "parasite" or "one who preys upon others" (cf. loan shark), derives from german schorke/schurke ("rogue" or "rascal"), as did the english word "shirk&#91;er&#93;". "sharp" developed in the 17th century from this meaning of "shark" (as apparently did the use of "shark" as a name for the fish), but the phrase "card sharp" predates the variant "card shark". &ndash; gives the negative meaning only, for both &ndash; gives only the negative meaning for both; labels negative verb "to sharp" archaic. 
Card_game_terminology Card_tricks Cheating