A guiding light, bridge player's getting thanks, right? (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
north star
'a guiding light' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'bridge player's getting thanks right?' is the wordplay.
'bridge player's' becomes 'north's' (cardinal directions represent the bridge players).
'getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'right?' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'norths'+'ta'+'r'='NORTH STAR'
(Other definitions for north star that I've seen before include "Navigational aid" , "Polaris" , "guiding light" , "feature of Ursa Minor" , "navigational guide" .)