Pay for a poker hand (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'pay for a poker hand' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Pre-deal stake" , "Card-player's stake" , "Hoofed mammal" , "'Behind, before (4)'" , "Initial stake in a poker game" .)