Learner loves card game (3)
I believe the answer is:
loo
'card game' is the definition.
(historic card game found in Jane Austen novels)
'learner loves' is the wordplay.
'learner' becomes 'l'.
'loves' becomes 'oo' (**).
'l'+'oo'='LOO'
(Other definitions for loo that I've seen before include "Toilet (informal)" , "Privy" , "A colloquial toilet" , "bog" , "Card-game" .)