Ploy Vera used to get ham (8)
I believe the answer is:
overplay
'ham' is the definition.
('overplay' can be a synonym of 'ham')
'ploy vera used' is the wordplay.
'used' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ploy'+'vera'='ployvera'
'ployvera' with letters rearranged gives 'OVERPLAY'.
'to get' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for overplay that I've seen before include "Give excess emphasis to" , "Complicate or exaggerate (something)" , "Exaggerate the importance of" , "Embroider" .)