Players holding an ace in this? (7)
I believe the answer is:
canasta
'this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'players holding an ace' is the wordplay.
'players' becomes 'cast' (group of actors).
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'ace' becomes 'a'.
'cast' enclosing 'an' is 'canast'.
'canast'+'a'='CANASTA'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for canasta that I've seen before include "Can a staff cook stomach game?" , "Two-pack card game" , "series of hands" , "Rummy-like card-game" , "Card game like rummy" .)