wildcards
Factors defying prediction
Wildcards are symbols that stand in for unknown or variable characters, most commonly in computing and card games.
In searches and programming, a wildcard like * or ? matches any character or sequence: The search *.txt finds all text files.
In card games, a wildcard can represent any card the holder chooses.
Figuratively, a wildcard is an unpredictable element or person: She's a wildcard—you never know what she'll do.
In sports, a wildcard is a team or player admitted to competition despite not qualifying through standard means.
Cutup or wild card
- trumpSuit outranking all others
- deckShip's flat surface
- shuffleRandomize by mixing
- dealAgreement or distribution
hand · poker · rummy · uno · spades · hearts · diamonds · clubs
Amorphous soft mass
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- asteriskTypographical reference mark
- regexText-matching notation
- searchAct of seeking
filter · query · match · placeholder · syntax · filename · mask · star
Prone to fluctuation
- unknownNot yet discovered
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- randomOccurring without pattern
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
risk · volatility · fluctuation · instability · variability · x-factor · question mark · contingency
State resisting forecasts
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
tournament · playoffs · bracket · seeding · longshot · sleeper · contender · spoiler
State resisting forecasts
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- feintDeceptive mock attack
misdirection · surprise · variable · curveball · twist · hidden advantage · secret weapon · element of surprise
joker
Cutup or wild card
deal · hand · poker · rummy · uno · spades · hearts · diamonds · clubs · ace
glob
Amorphous soft mass
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- asteriskTypographical reference mark
- regexText-matching notation
search · filter · query · match · placeholder · syntax · filename · mask · star · question mark
variable
Prone to fluctuation
- unknownNot yet discovered
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- randomOccurring without pattern
chance · risk · volatility · fluctuation · instability · variability · x-factor · question mark · contingency · loose cannon
unpredictability
State resisting forecasts
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
Cinderella story · tournament · playoffs · bracket · seeding · longshot · sleeper · contender · spoiler · unknown
unpredictability
State resisting forecasts
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
feint · misdirection · surprise · variable · curveball · twist · hidden advantage · secret weapon · element of surprise · game-changer
- Unixbash, cat, cd, grep, chmod
- shell scriptingbash, shebang, scripts, source, sourcing
- puzzle game termspieces, tiles, blocks, grid, board
- tournamentstournament, tournaments, bracket, brackets, tournament brackets
- unpredictablessurprises, chance, randomness, uncertainty, unpredictables
- esportstournament, esports, ESL, MLG, championship
wildcardsconstants
Unchanging fixed values
literals · known quantities · specifics · certainties · givens
wildcardssure things
Guaranteed outcomes
safe bets · known quantities · certainties · favorites · foregone conclusions