Editing Card player (section)

== Position ==
[[File:Card game playing order.png|thumb|Bidding sequence in a four-player game of ''[[Schafkopf]]'': 1 is Forehand and leads to the first trick; 2 is Middlehand; 3 is Rearhand and cuts the pack; 4 is Dealer]]
[[File:Forehand, Middlehand and Rearhand.png|thumb|Forehand, middlehand and rearhand in a three-player game. This time rearhand is also the dealer.]]

=== Games of Anglo-American origin ===
In games of Anglo-American origin played in English-speaking countries, '''age''' refers to the order of priority in which  players make the first lead, bid or bet, based on their position at the table.<ref name=PG>[http://www.parlettgames.uk/oricards/glossary.html ''The Language of Cards''] at www.parlettgames.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2018</ref> This changes constantly as the dealer rotates either clockwise or anticlockwise around the table. They are traditionally referred to as follows:

;{{anchor|eldest hand|elder hand}} Eldest hand (or elder hand):  the player who enjoys greatest priority and e.g. is the first to receive cards in the deal.<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eldest%20hand ''Eldest hand'''] at www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018</ref><ref name=PG/> Elder is the non-dealer in two-hand games.{{sfn|Phillips|1957|p=400}}

;{{anchor|youngest hand|younger hand}} Youngest hand (or younger hand): the player who has the lowest priority and who e.g. is the last to bid or play at the start of a game (often the dealer).<ref name=PG/>

;{{anchor|pone|Pone}}Pone: Also pony or poney. Short for "opponent". American or Old English term for non-dealer in some two-player games e.g. [[Colonel (card game)|Colonel]]<ref name=RG>[http://www.rummy-games.com/glossary-rummy.html ''Rummy Glossary''] at www.rummy-games.com. Retrieved 29 Nov 2019.</ref> or the player on the dealer's right, who cuts the cards, e.g. in [[Vingt-Un]]{{efn|Play being assumed to be left to right}}{{sfn|Foster|1897|p=621}} i.e. youngest hand.{{sfn|Jones|1800|p=230}}

Alternatively the players are simply numbered as follows:

;{{anchor|first hand}}First hand: the player who leads to the first trick and who leads any bidding. Same as eldest hand or forehand.

;{{anchor|second hand}}Second hand: the player who bids or plays second.

;{{anchor|third hand}}Third hand: the player who bids or plays third.

;{{anchor|fourth hand}}Fourth hand: the player who bids or plays fourth.

=== Games of European origin ===
In games originating in Europe, the following terminology indicating the players' priority is used:

;{{anchor|Forehand}}Forehand: the player who leads to the first trick and who leads any bidding. Same as eldest hand.

;{{anchor|Middlehand}}Middlehand: the player between forehand and rearhand in a three-person game. In Skat and similar 3-hand games, the second player in turn to bid.<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eldest%20hand ''Middlehand'''] at www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018</ref> In four-hand games, middlehand is the player after forehand so the order is: forehand, middlehand, rearhand, dealer.

;{{anchor|Rearhand}}Rearhand: the player with least priority, e.g. the last to bid or play.<ref name=PG/> Sometimes also called endhand.{{sfn|Phillips|1957|p=400}}