For certain players, cash in advance (4)

I believe the answer is:

ante

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'in advance' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Hoofed mammal" , "Stake, bet" , "expected from stake" , "Initial contribution to the common pot" , "Stake put up by a poker-player before receiving cards" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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