A card game of Spanish origin in which two red cards (hearts or diamonds) and one black (spades or clubs) are laid face down on the table after deft manipulation by the dealer. Players must draw the black card to win. In the three-card monte swindle, the black card is withdrawn from play during the manipulation.

—Dictionary of American Underworld Lingo, Hyman E. Goldin, Editor in Chief, 1950.