elder hand
    n 1: the card player on the dealer's left [syn: eldest hand,
         elder hand]

Elder \Eld"er\, a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See Old.]
   1. Older; more aged, or existing longer.
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            Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier
            deeds.                                --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd. )
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   2. Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier;
      older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed
      to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter,
      child, brother, etc.
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            The elder shall serve the younger.    --Gen. xxv.
                                                  23.
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            But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour. --Keble.
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   Elder hand (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the
      right to play, first. --Hoyle.
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