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trump

cards
Also known as: trump suit

Quick Summary

In card games, a "trump" refers to a card of a suit that outranks cards of other suits. This special suit, also called the trump suit, can be used to win over cards not of that suit. The concept of a trump suit originated in games like tarot, where a fifth suit of illustrated cards acted as trumps. This innovation was later adopted into standard decks, leading to games like triomphe and eventually influencing games such as whist and bridge. A "trump card" can also metaphorically mean a decisive resource or a final option held in reserve.123

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