Visual Description: Gambling with reality.
MRUST = STRUM, SLUPH = PLUSH, PUABET = UPBEAT, ECINET = ENTICE — Giving us: STRLUHBATENTE
Clue/Question: When it comes to winning money playing blackjack, it’s hard to – – –
Answer: TURN THE TABLES
(This one did stump me for a minute, or two! I was looking for BEAT THE HOUSE, and I checked off the letters for BEAT THE, until I saw that I couldn’t do anything with STRLUN. But, I was able to spot the letters for TURN, which helped me to redirect! I have to say that I’m very happy to see the guys de-glorifying gambling.
All of today’s clue words are old favorites, although all of their jumbles did come up as new. The only one I really struggled with was “puabet”. I had to skip it, and come back to it, before I realized it was going to be a word that started with a vowel. Maybe, I’m just a little too negative to be “upbeat”. After all, I didn’t find either Dr. Ford or Justice Kavanaugh to be particularly credible yesterday. Despite what all the pundits and talking heads are saying. She just seemed too rehearsed, and I felt he was putting on too much of a quasi-emotional act. At times she sounded overly technical, and he sounded more like Homer Simpson saying he liked beer. Maybe I’ve just witnessed too much feigned “outrage” over the last few years to be truly objective anymore. I had very mixed feelings about the allegations from the beginning, and yesterday didn’t really move me one way, or the other. Maybe Hoyt can use the word “jaded” in an upcoming Jumble. I’ll be all over that baby! Props to the Big Bald one for today’s answer letter layout! I thought it did a superb job disguising the answer.
I always enjoy seeing cartoons that have Jeff, and some buddy, in them. The friend looks familiar. I’m pretty sure Jeff has used him in other Jumbles. The casino guy talking resembles Steve Wynn a little. Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
Images courtesy of Google
Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
I went down the same path, UR. After I tried and rejected BEAT THE, I was sure the final word was HUSTLE! (Could have also been SLEUTH.) Fun cartoon, but it gave nothing away!
Yeah, Unc, it wasn’t just you. I also immediately hung up on BEAT THE [wanted HOUSE] and needed a long minute before I could see TURN THE —–S.
Puabet seems to be in line with the cartoon, as Bet is part of Blackjack. Dunno what kind of bet is a puabet. 😀 For those of us from Detroit, that sounds a bit like Pewabic, as in Pewabic Pottery. 🙂
Oh, no no! A good thing I sought your help today Unc. I was on the BEAT THE path too!! The guyz skinned me on this one! Grand jumble. LL