chemin de fer

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The term "chemin de fer" is a French phrase that translates to "railway" in English, but in the context of card games, it refers to a specific type of gambling game often played in casinos. Here’s a clear explanation for you:

Definition:

Chemin de fer (noun): A card game played in casinos where players gamble against a banker. The goal of the game is to have a hand of two or three cards that totals closest to nine.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You would use "chemin de fer" when talking about casino games or gambling. It is not commonly played in all casinos, but it is known in some places.
• Example Sentence: "At the casino, I decided to play chemin de fer because I wanted a more exciting card game."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, you might talk about the strategies involved in chemin de fer or compare it to other card games like baccarat.

Word Variants:

• Chemin (noun): Means "path" or "way" in French.
• Fer (noun): Means "iron" in French, but in this context, it does not have a significant meaning.

Different Meaning:

While "chemin de fer" primarily refers to the card game in gambling contexts, remember that outside of gambling, it can simply mean "railway" in French.

Synonyms:

• Baccarat: Another popular casino card game with a similar play style.
• Gambling game: A broader term that includes many types of games played for money.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "chemin de fer," but phrases related to gambling, like "bet your bottom dollar" or "to play the odds," could be relevant in discussions around this game.

Academic

Noun

1. a card game played in casinos in which two or more punters gamble against the banker; the player wins who holds 2 or 3 cards that total closest to nine

Synonyms

• baccarat