Poker pot starter (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">poker pot starter</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Initial stake in a poker game" , "Opening bet" , "early payment" , "Preceding birth" , "Pay" .)