court-card

A player holds a court-card in their hand during a card game.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A playing card that is a king, queen, or jack: In a standard deck of cards, a "court-card" (also spelled "court card") is any card that depicts a royal or noble figure, specifically the king, queen, or jack. These cards are distinct from the numbered cards (ace through ten) and are often used in games like poker, bridge, or rummy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In a game of poker, a court-card like a king can be very valuable. (A king is a royal card that can help form strong hands.)
  • She drew three court-cards in her hand: a queen, a jack, and another queen. (She received three royal cards, all showing human figures.)
  • The deck includes four court-cards per suit: the king, queen, and jack. (Each suit has three royal cards, totalling twelve in the deck.)

Advanced Usage

• "To hold a court-card": to possess a king, queen, or jack in one's hand.

  • If you hold a court-card, you might have an advantage in certain card games. (Having a royal card can be strategic.)

• "Court-card heavy hand": a hand of cards containing many royal figures.

  • His court-card heavy hand gave him a strong chance of winning the trick. (His hand had several kings, queens, or jacks.)

Variants and Related Words

• Court card (n): an alternative spelling of "court-card," often used interchangeably.

  • He only needed one more court card to complete his set. (He needed one more royal figure card.)

• Face card (n): a synonym for "court-card," referring to any card with a human face (king, queen, jack).

  • In some games, the ace is also considered a face card, but traditionally only court-cards are. (A face card is a card with a portrait.)

• Royal card (n): another term for a court-card, emphasizing its regal depiction.

  • The royal cards are the most valuable in many trick-taking games. (The king, queen, and jack are the highest-ranking cards.)

Synonyms

• Face card: a card showing a human face (king, queen, or jack).
• Picture card: a card with a picture rather than a number.
• Royal card: a card representing royalty.

Related Idioms

• "To play one's court-cards well": to use one's advantages or resources wisely (derived from card games).

  • He played his court-cards well during the negotiation, securing a better deal. (He used his strongest assets effectively.)

• "To have all the court-cards": to have all the advantages or power in a situation.

  • With her experience and connections, she had all the court-cards in the job interview. (She had every possible advantage.)