I like that analogy.
A special courtship move would send an ace (a strong signal) into the girl's court; and if the girl felt uncomfortable, she won't return it (let it go off court/silence/letting you know how much you mean as a friend/friendzoned), or she'll delay the answer coz she herself is confused / needs time to consider, or even worse ... she'll play around with the ball/card while waiting for better players.  The guy need to observe the response and react accordingly.  In any case, a confession wouldn't make the situation any better.
Most guys might equate a confession to risk taking ... I'll say that's just the easiest way ... the harder way is holding off the confession, going out of your way to make her happy (raising your stakes as killdavid puts it), and see if her heart could be moved or not.  There's much more 'investment' involved, and hence the return should be either equally rewarding or more 'depressing' than the energy/time/money/emotion involved in confessing. Not a 'game' for the weak hearts ; some understood the risk, not willing to face any loss, they are content with whoever suitable comes along; some aim for who they think they want, not willing to settle yet for who they might really need ... they're willing for all-in.
And yeah, definitely confidence is a major advantage ... or put on a poker face (just kidding).
Nevermind, some guys need to experience rejections 1st hand before learning what not to do.

The main point from this thread, after various explanations by n00b, is that confession is the least of things to be worried about in a courtship.  After a guy has done everything he could've done within his limit and means, when the response is positive, a confession is just like a formality (some couples I guess don't even remember a definite moment when they became one, it just came naturally and progressively); when the girl doesn't react as expected, use common sense and analyze the situation further, don't lower your already low chances by doing a confession.