Bridge players accept it means cards (4)
I believe the answer is:
wits
'cards' is the definition.
('wit' can be a synonym of 'card')
'bridge players accept it' is the wordplay.
'bridge players' becomes 'ws' (**).
'accept' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'ws' going around 'it' is 'WITS'.
'means' is the link.
(Other definitions for wits that I've seen before include "Senses" , "Humorous people" , "Keep them about you to stay alert" , "They express themselves humorously" , "Mental faculties" .)