Poker precursor (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'poker precursor' 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 "Stake put up before the deal" , "Poker-player's stake before the deal" , "Player's stake in poker - a ten? (anag)" , "Fixed stake" , "Prefix meaning before" .)