Just treatment for honest card-players (4,4)

I believe the answer is:

fair deal

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'just treatment' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'honest card-players' is the wordplay.
'honest' becomes 'fair' (similar in meaning).
'card-players' becomes 'deal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fair'+'deal'='FAIR DEAL'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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