Crossword Genius

Start betting with something that’s easy to understand (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

open book

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'something that's easy to understand' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'start betting' is the wordplay.
'start' becomes 'open' (opening is a kind of starting).
'betting' becomes 'book' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'open'+'book'='OPEN BOOK'

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for open book that I've seen before include "Something that can be easily interpreted" , "Face etc that can be easily read" , "Person easily understood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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