Initial poker stake (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">initial poker stake</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "early payment" , "Poker-player's stake before the deal" , "advance payment" , "Stake; before (Lat.)" , "Betting stake" .)