Sentence:  Shrewd , calculating , in many ways realistic , endowed - like Stalin - with considerable powers of dissimulation , capable of <WSD>playing</WSD> his cards very close to his chest when he so desired , yet bold and resolute in his decisions , and possessing one gift Stalin did not possess : The ability to rouse men to fever pitch of personal devotion and enthusiasm by the power of the spoken word '' . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game