false card

¹ American  

noun

Chiefly Bridge.

1. a card played to give an opponent a mistaken idea of the quality or length of one's holding in the suit led.

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false-card ² American  

[fawls-kahrd] / ˈfɔlsˌkɑrd /

verb (used without object)

Chiefly Bridge.

1. to play a false card.

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false-card British  

verb

1. (intr) bridge to play a misleading card, esp a high loser, in order to deceive an opponent

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Etymology

Origin of false card

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

She professed her delight at the unexpected pleasure and then boldly played a false card.

From The Song of the Wolf by Mayer, Frank

The cases in which false cards can be played with advantage are rare, but sometimes, especially in trumps, success may follow the play of a false card.

From Hoyle's Games Modernized by Hoffmann, Louis

“Oh, Jane—Jane, darling! please—please stop, only a minute,” he whined, for he knew that he had played a false card, and that it was time to withdraw it.

From The Sapphire Cross by Fenn, George Manville

But a false card will turn up now and then, you know.

From True Riches Or, Wealth Without Wings by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)

It was a false card to play, for George grew obstinate at once.

From The Half-Hearted by Buchan, John