Poker hand starter (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">poker hand starter</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Preposition meaning before" , "Prefix meaning before" , "Pre-deal stake" , "Initial bet" , "Poker-player's stake before the deal" .)