Crossword Genius

Deck astute cheat (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cardsharp

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cheat' is the definition.
(I know that cardsharp is a type of grifter)

'deck astute' is the wordplay.
'deck' becomes 'card' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'astute' becomes 'sharp' (synonyms).
'card'+'sharp'='CARDSHARP'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cardsharp that I've seen before include "Cheater at, say, poker" , "Cheater at the table" , "Swindler in game" , "cheat" , "One cheating at, eg, poker" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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