lucky at cards, unlucky in love

English

Etymology

Current phrasing from 1867. Idea present from 18th century. Earlier expressions include "Well, Miss, you’ll have a sad Husband, you have such good Luck at Cards" (Swift, Polite Conversation, 1738)[1] and "lucky in play, unlucky in love" (1846)[2]. A similar French saying "Malheureux en amour, heureux au jeu" is attested from 1850.[3]

Proverb

lucky at cards, unlucky in love

Someone who enjoys good fortune in games will experience romantic frustration.

1867 March 16, “Winning and Losing”, in Illustrated Times‎, London, page 7:
The old maxim, "Lucky at cards, unlucky in love," is applied to chess.

Translations

References

Jonathan Swift (1738) Polite Conversation‎
John Burke (ed.) (1846) The Patrician‎, volume ii, London: E. Churton, page 50
Alexandre Dumas (1850) Louis Quinze‎, Brussels: Meline, Cans, page 305

[1] Jonathan Swift (1738) Polite Conversation‎

[2] John Burke (ed.) (1846) The Patrician‎, volume ii, London: E. Churton, page 50

[3] Alexandre Dumas (1850) Louis Quinze‎, Brussels: Meline, Cans, page 305