Crossword Genius

Request team playing hands to one side (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

askew

'to one side' is the definition.
(askew means not straight)

'request team playing hands' is the wordplay.
'request' becomes 'ask' (synonyms).
'team playing hands' becomes 'EW' (team of East and West in the card game bridge).
'ask'+'ew'='ASKEW'

(Other definitions for askew that I've seen before include "Off-centre" , "Lopsided" , "Wakes (anag)" , "Twisted" , "Out of line" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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