Crossword Genius

Strip card game not starting (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ridge

'strip' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Elevated strip ' mean 'ridge' so perhaps 'strip' could also mean 'ridge')

'card game not starting' is the wordplay.
'card game' becomes 'bridge' (bridge is a kind of card game).
'not starting' means to remove the first letter.
'bridge' with its first letter taken away is 'RIDGE'.

(Other definitions for ridge that I've seen before include "there's a lot of pressure in it" , "Escarpment" , "Raised crease" , "Line of higher ground" , "Rooftop" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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