'Elder hand' definitions:

Definition of 'elder hand'

noun

The card player on the dealer's left [syn: eldest hand, elder hand]

From: GCIDE

Elder \Eld"er\, a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See Old.]
1. Older; more aged, or existing longer. [1913 Webster]
Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds. --Jowett (Thucyd. ) [1913 Webster]
2. Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc. [1913 Webster]
The elder shall serve the younger. --Gen. xxv. 23. [1913 Webster]
But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour. --Keble. [1913 Webster]
Elder hand (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the right to play, first. --Hoyle. [1913 Webster]