Start a poker pot (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">start a poker pot</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 "Stake put up by a poker-player before receiving cards" , "Initial stake in a poker game" , "Card-player's stake" , "Initial bet" , "Money for poker" .)