Rubber of bridge

[fredpuli47]

In bridge and some other gamess, a rubber is a term for a set of matches, the winner of most being said "to have won the rubber". The Shorter Oxford is not much help, saying that, perhaps,' rubber' here is from one of the other meanings of rubber. But which, if any? Any ideas? Note: No, I don't think it's that particular American meaning. I can't see that 'birth control' has anything do with it!

[Jumbuck]

Brewers says that the origin is uncertain but may be a transference from bowls, in which the collision of 2 woods is a rubber, because they rub against each other.

[joggerjayne]

It's one of those odd, but universally accepted, phrases ...

Like a chukka of Polo ...

... or a t0sser of Morris Dancers.

[Quizmonster]

To add a little to Jumbuck's response, the earliest use of the word 'rubber' to suggest a deciding game - best of three, five etc - was in the 16th century and in reference to bowls, as stated, rather than cards. Its first use in card-playing - whist, specifically - came nearly 200 years later. The actual origin of the word is obscure, but it appears to have nothing to do with 'rubber' as in 'rubber ball'...never mind condom! If it's any help, the French equivalent is apparently, robre, which has clearly no connection with their caoutchouc.