Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a confidence trickster, a card-sharp.

1853

H.B. Jones Adventures in Aus. 301: For safety the well disposed camp together, for the ‘pointers’ go in gangs and large bodies.

2. an idler, a loafer, a malingerer.

1894		Truth (Sydney) 18 Mar. 1/1: The ‘Government stroke’ idler and ‘pointer’ could not be removed [from employment].
1904		L.M. Palmer-Archer Bush Honeymoon 85: She’s ’alf civilised, and knows her way about; but she’ll want shepherding at her work. [...] She’s a rare pointer at her work.
1912		Bulletin (Sydney) 26 Dec. 13/4: The most trying of all were children in mining districts. Most of them were ‘pointers,’ and the rest were ‘slackers,’ cheeky as members of Parliament, and truthful as Abo-liars.
1954		T. Ronan Vision Splendid 164: There was no nark or pointer in the camp, they rode good horses by day and champions at night [AND].

3. one who takes an unfair advantage, esp. by trickery; an informer.

1848		Ladies’ Repository (N.Y.) Oct. VIII:37 316/2: Pointer, one who shows thieves to the police.
1926		J. Doone Timely Tips For New Australians 20: POINTER.—A slang expression denoting a man who takes a mean advantage whenever he sees the opportunity.
1933		A.E. Strong in Partridge Sl. Today and Yesterday 288: You know that cook? I believe he is a bit of a pointer because he asked me what billet I was coming to and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came along any minute.
1943		J.B. Hislop Pure Gold and Rough Diamonds 127: I am sure it was not because I was a ‘pointer’ all my life.

4. in pl., crooked dice.

1935

A.J. Pollock Und. Speaks n.p.: Pointers, crooked dice.