dealer's choice
Low-MediumInformal
Definition
Meaning
In card games, a rule or game variant where the dealer selects which game is played or sets the rules for that hand.
Any situation where the person in control gets to make the choice or set the conditions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase is often used metaphorically outside of card games to describe situations where one party has unilateral decision-making power.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in the context of poker and similar card games in both varieties. No significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Neutral in gaming contexts; can imply power imbalance or arbitrary decision-making in metaphorical use.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties; more common in gaming communities.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's dealer's choice.We played a hand of dealer's choice.Let's make it dealer's choice.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's dealer's choice on this project.”
- “Call it dealer's choice and let's move on.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used formally. May appear metaphorically: 'The contract terms are dealer's choice for the provider.'
Academic
Virtually unused.
Everyday
Used in informal gaming contexts and metaphorical extensions among friends/family.
Technical
Specific term in poker and home card game rule sets.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The game allows you to dealer's choice the next round.
American English
- We're gonna dealer's choice the rules for this hand.
adjective
British English
- It was a dealer's-choice poker night.
American English
- We played a dealer's-choice hand of cards.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We are playing cards. It is dealer's choice.
- In our game night, the first round is always dealer's choice.
- The project lead said it was dealer's choice regarding the software we'd use, which frustrated the team.
- The new legislation gives regulatory bodies dealer's choice in interpreting the guidelines, leading to potential inconsistencies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEALER'S CHOICE: Imagine a card dealer who gets to CHOOSE the game he DEALS.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS THE DEALER; OPTIONS ARE CARDS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation "выбор дилера" as it sounds like a car salesman's choice. In gaming contexts, use established term "правила сдают" or descriptive phrase "игру выбирает сдающий".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dealer choice' without the possessive 's'.
- Using it in formal contexts where 'discretion' or 'prerogative' would be more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dealer's choice' used literally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated in card games but is now commonly used metaphorically in any situation where one person gets to decide.
Yes, when used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a dealer's-choice game'), it is often hyphenated.
It is primarily informal. In formal writing, alternatives like 'at the discretion of' or 'as chosen by' are preferred.
Yes, the apostrophe-s ('s) is required as it indicates possession: the choice belonging to the dealer.