Derivation
Gambling devices were sometimes controlled under the table giving the game owner an advantage.
Derivation
This term, used in the ancient game of chess, derives from the Arabic, "Shah mat!" ( The king is dead), then Spanish, "xaque mate", then French, "eschec mat", then early English, "chek mate".
Derivation
This dates back to the medieval gambling practice of throwing a stick to your opponent who would catch and hold it. Players would alternate hands around the stick until one won by having "the upper hand" on the stick, no room being left for another hand.