Tricks a raw beginner plays (5)

I believe the answer is:

ruses

'tricks' is the definition.
(a ruse is a trick or ploy)

'a raw beginner plays' is the wordplay.
'beginner' says to take the initial letters.
'plays' becomes 'uses' (I've seen this in another clue).
The first letter of 'raw' is 'r'.
'r'+'uses'='RUSES'

(Other definitions for ruses that I've seen before include "Subterfuges" , "Clever stratagems" , "Clever strategems or plans" , "Tactics" , "Clever plans designed to deceive" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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