rule of eleven

American  

noun

Bridge, Whist.

1. the rule that when a player leads their fourth-highest card in any suit, its numerical value subtracted from eleven gives the number of higher cards of that suit held by the other players.

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Etymology

Origin of rule of eleven

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

“I was explaining a few things about the game to Mr. Croyden, Davila, the rule of eleven and the Ace-King lead, and, for some reason, it seemed to move them to jollity.”

From In Her Own Right by Underwood, Clarence F.

Under the rule of eleven, I had but the nine to beat, I played the ten and Mr. Dangerfield covered with the Knave, which by the rule you should have held.

From In Her Own Right by Underwood, Clarence F.

“The rule of eleven is usually one of the first things learned by a beginner at Bridge,” she said, witheringly.

From In Her Own Right by Underwood, Clarence F.