Reputations were made quickly over the green felt tables ― with the roll of the dice or a turn of a card.
The phrase highlights the rapid nature of success and failure in gambling environments, where a person's reputation can change in an instant. At green felt tables, every decision, such as rolling dice or turning cards, carries significant weight, leading to swift fortunes or losses.
In "The Matlock Paper," Robert Ludlum captures the unpredictable essence of gambling, suggesting that just one moment can alter one's standing in the eyes of others. This reflects a broader theme of chance and the volatility of life, where outcomes hinge on seemingly random events.