Work the Broads
To work the broads is slang for cheating at cards, particularly at three-card monte. The 'broads' are the cards.
The simple explanation
A cheat who works the broads uses tricks with the cards, such as sleight of hand, to win from his victims. The expression comes from the language of old gamblers and con artists.
A closer look
The phrase describes a card sharp's trade. Three-card monte is a street scam in which the dealer shifts three cards around, and the victim bets on which is the queen. The game is rigged, and the dealer controls the result. The slang belongs to the group of terms about cheating, such as 'card sharp' and 'mechanic'. In an honest poker game, such tricks are against the rules and can lead to a ban.
A practical example
An old story says that a street gambler 'works the broads' with three cards on a cardboard box.
Full explanation
To work the broads is slang for cheating at cards, particularly at three-card monte. The ‘broads’ are the cards.
Working the broads means cheating at cards.
It is especially used for three-card monte.
The ‘broads’ are the cards.
It is old gambling slang.