a good hand of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good hand of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of card games or gambling to describe a favorable set of cards held by a player. Example: "After the deal, I was pleased to see that I had a good hand of spades and hearts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had many philanthropic interests, enjoyed a good hand of bridge and frequent trips to Once Over Farm to see her horses.

The New York Times

A good hand of Fiery Cross goes around the table at least six times for a pot of ever more dazzling proportions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Squeezing three bodies — enough for a good hand of Go Fish — into a space where there is really only room for one is a bit like stuffing a sofa into a trash bag.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was an avid golfer and reader and she played a good hand of bridge but she expressed herself best in her art where she found peace and solace when the going got rough.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was handed a pretty good hand of cards here," he says.

Forbes

They can play a very good hand of Bridge; indeed, human players often practice against Bridge-playing programs, as they do with chess.

Huffington Post

It represented a part of the price which he was willing to pay for a good hand, but it furnished no test of the value of a good hand or the difference between the value of the hand which the defendant promised and the one which resulted from the operation.

Harvard University

There has been a good deal of hand-wringing about the recent ruling opening up combat positions to women.

The New York Times - Magazine

In recent years the computer science community has done a good deal of hand-wringing over fears that students increasingly saw the field as one of drudge work involving sitting at computer monitors and writing endless lines of code.

The New York Times - Science

Turnout in the last three American presidential elections has hovered at around half of the nation's voting-age population, which has prompted a good deal of hand-wringing.

The New York Times

The books were bound with tape, had elaborately illustrated covers, and contained a good deal of painstaking hand lettering.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation beyond card games, consider using alternatives like "favorable circumstances" or "advantageous position" for broader applicability. Avoid using "a good hand of" literally outside of gaming or metaphorical extensions of it.

Common error

Avoid using "a good hand of" to describe general positive situations unrelated to games of chance or skill, as it can sound awkward or out of place. For example, instead of saying "He had a good hand of experience for the job", opt for "He had extensive experience for the job."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good hand of" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes having a set of cards that is favorable for winning in games. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is suitable for describing a favorable set of cards in games or gambling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good hand of" is a noun phrase that describes a favorable set of cards in games or gambling, and it can be used metaphorically to describe advantageous situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily used in News & Media and Academia, it's important to consider the context to ensure appropriateness. Be mindful not to overuse it in contexts unrelated to chance or skill, opting for alternatives like "favorable circumstances" or "strategic advantage" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fortunate set of cards

Emphasizes the luck aspect in receiving beneficial playing cards.

a favorable combination of cards

Highlights the positive synergy between the cards received.

a winning selection of cards

Suggests that the cards received are likely to lead to victory.

an advantageous array of cards

Implies that the arrangement of cards provides an upper hand.

a strong starting position

Shifts the focus from cards specifically to any scenario with a promising beginning.

a golden opportunity

Generalizes the idea of a favorable situation beyond card games.

a promising start

Highlights the potential for future success based on the initial conditions.

a beneficial situation

Abstracts the concept to any circumstance that offers advantages.

a prime advantage

Focuses on the superior position gained due to the circumstances.

a strategic advantage

Emphasizes the strategic benefits derived from the initial conditions.

FAQs

What does "a good hand of" mean in the context of card games?

In card games, "a good hand of" refers to a set of cards that is likely to lead to a win or a favorable outcome.

Can "a good hand of" be used in contexts other than card games?

Yes, "a good hand of" can be used metaphorically to describe a favorable set of circumstances or advantages in a situation. However, be mindful of the context to ensure it doesn't sound out of place.

What's a more formal way to say "a good hand of" in a business context?

In a business context, you might use phrases like "strategic advantage", "favorable circumstances", or "advantageous position" instead of "a good hand of".

Is it correct to say "I was dealt a good hand of cards"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "a good hand of" is often used after being "dealt" cards to describe the quality of the cards received.