Crossword Genius

Even paint the stake (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ante

'stake' is the definition.
(stake in poker)

'even paint the' is the wordplay.
'even' means one should take alternating letters (letters in even-numbered positions are used).
'paint'+'the'='paintthe'
The alternating letters of 'paintthe' are 'ANTE'.

(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Poker pot starter" , "Stake; before (Lat.)" , "Player's stake in poker - a ten? (anag)" , "'Behind, before (4)'" , "Fixed stake" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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