Fantastic song by Sting who is an amazing songwriter. I heard it used in a video clip from the move "The Professional" about a professional hit man.
When used in English, depending upon context, cards can be representative of chance. The song "Shape of My Heart" is symbolic of someone who plays the game of life for a personal catharsis , a reckoning of sorts. They play for the thrill of the risk, not for the pay off. It's like looking for some mystical answer that's addictively out of reach of the singer.
The use of grammar "he don't play for respect" would not be "proper" grammar per se. But, in the arts such as music, poetry and theatre, there is a term used "suspension of reality and/or rules." The purpose is to generate the image of a character that represents a particular place, time, era, and so forth. For me, as a native English speaker, Sting achieves this effect in the lyrics. Being able to manipulate language at the level of artistic liberties is advanced usage of that language.
I love it!