trick vs play a trick on

trick is a noun but play a trick on is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
trick	Yes	No	Yes	No
play a trick on	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, trick and play a trick on are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of trick include flim-flam, fob, fox, play a joke on, play tricks, pull a fast one on.

trick (noun)	play a trick on (noun)
a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
(card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner
an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
an attempt to get you to do something foolish or imprudent
a cunning or deceitful action or device
a prostitute's customer
a period of work or duty

trick (verb)	play a trick on (verb)
deceive somebody	deceive somebody