plain cards

Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Non-trump cards in card games: "plain cards" refers to the cards in a suit that are not designated as trumps (the suit that has been chosen to outrank others in a particular game). They are the ordinary, non-special cards in a hand.
   • Cards without special status: In a broader sense, "plain cards" are any cards that lack a special role or enhanced value, such as those not forming a winning combination in certain games.

Usage Examples

• (Non-trump cards are weaker.)
• (She got rid of ordinary cards.)

Advanced Usage

• "plain cards" in trick-taking games: In games like spades or hearts, "plain cards" are the cards of the suit that is not the trump suit. They are used to fill tricks but cannot beat a trump card.
  • He led a plain card, knowing his opponent had no trumps left. (He played a non-trump card.)

Variants and Related Words

• Plain (adj): ordinary; not special or decorated.

  • The plain card had no markings to indicate it was a trump. (The card was standard and unremarkable.)

• Trump card (n): a card of a suit that outranks all other suits in a game; the opposite of a plain card.

  • She saved her trump card for the final trick. (She kept her most powerful card.)

Synonyms

• Non-trump card: a card that is not part of the trump suit.
• Ordinary card: a card without special status or power.

Related Idioms

• "Play a plain card": to use a non-trump card, often implying a straightforward or cautious move.

  • He played a plain card to avoid revealing his strong suit. (He used an ordinary card as a safe choice.)

• "Plain as a card": (rare) a phrase meaning something is very obvious or clear, derived from the idea of a simple, unadorned card.

  • Her intentions were plain as a card — she wanted to win. (Her goal was unmistakable.)