A phrase that is used at the beginning of many tournaments to let players know the cards are being dealt. As in, "Sit down and take your seats, the cards are in the air."

Kind of a 'Ready, Steady, Go' for a tournament. The director will say this to the dealers to get the games underway

When the tournament director instructs the dealers to get the cards in the air, it means to start dealing.

on everybody's mind; "Christmas was in the air"

When checkers are placed on the bar.

term used to describe the end of a line of troops which has no protection.