Vessels brought back for game (4)
I believe the answer is:
snap
'for game' is the definition.
(card game)
'vessels brought back' is the wordplay.
'vessels' becomes 'pans' (pans are vessels or containers).
'brought back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'pans' backwards is 'SNAP'.
(Other definitions for snap that I've seen before include "Unpremeditated - bite" , "Photograph - without warning" , "21 [PHOTO]" , "Break under strain" , "Lose cool" .)