ace in the hole

noun

1. Poker.,  an ace dealt and held face down, especially in stud poker.

2. an advantage or a resource kept back until the proper opportunity presents itself.

   His ace in the hole is his political influence.

ace in the hole

1. A hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed: “The coach was certain that his new trick play would turn out to be his ace in the hole.” This term comes from the game of stud poker, in which one or more cards are turned face down, or “in the hole,” as bets are placed. The ace is the card with the highest value.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ace in the hole¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Idioms and Phrases

A hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed, as in The prosecutor had an ace in the hole: an eyewitness. The term comes from stud poker, where each player is dealt one card face down—the so-called hole card—and the rest face up. Should the hole card be an ace, the player has a hidden advantage. Hole here simply means “a hiding place.” In the 19th-century American West, the expression was used to refer to a hidden weapon, such as a gun concealed in a shoulder holster. By the 1920s it had become a metaphor for any surprise advantage or leverage.

Example Sentences

Mr McNamara, who lives in Lowestoft, Suffolk, said he thought he had been alerted to the Gorleston gig by a fax from the band's press team - and was pleased his stock of live photos had given him an "ace in the hole" for his story in the freesheet.

From BBC

Observers point to Larry Ellison’s prominent support of Trump as Skydance’s ace in the hole.

From Los Angeles Times

With both sides of the alliance caught flat-footed by changes in where and how Americans consume information, it’s little wonder that the combined reach of Hollywood and the Democratic Party has not been an ace in the hole with voters.

From Los Angeles Times

But Toranaga has an ace in the hole.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump's favorite campaign strategy is immigrant bashing and they hoped it would be their ace in the hole.

From Salon