When playing cards, the term "cut the cards" refers to splitting the deck in half and shuffling the two halves together. This helps to ensure a fair game by randomizing the order of the cards. There are a variety of synonyms for this phrase that can be used interchangeably depending on the region or context. Some of the most common include "mix the deck," "shuffle the cards," "deal a round," "split the pack," and "cut the pack." No matter which term is used, the act of cutting the cards remains an important step in any card game that involves chance.