The phrase "play tricks" can be replaced with a variety of other words and phrases. Some synonyms for "play tricks" include "prank," "trick," "deceive," "fool," "hoodwink," and "mislead." Essentially, these words all refer to actions that involve tricking, deceiving, or fooling someone else in some way. Whether it's through a seemingly harmless prank or a more serious act of deception, playing tricks can have a range of effects on the person who is being targeted. Ultimately, the use of synonyms for "play tricks" can help to add variety and nuance to language, and enable more precise communication.