Bridge player has to scoff, holding spades (4)
I believe the answer is:
east
'bridge player' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'to scoff holding spades' is the wordplay.
'to scoff' becomes 'eat' (I've seen this before).
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'spades' becomes 's' (abbreviation in card games).
'eat' going around 's' is 'EAST'.
'has' is the link.
(Other definitions for east that I've seen before include "4 dn 17 dn" , "E" , "Cardinal compass point" , "Sunrise direction" , "Where the sun rises" .)