Related Clues:

• Front money?
• Initial payment
• Toss in a chip, say
• Pay to play 19 Across
• Start for date?
• Chamber starter
• You might get a hand for it
• Poker-game starter
• Gin-game pot
• Pot part
• Deal prelude, often
• Hold-'em ritual
• Commitment to the game
• It could precede a good deal
• What a player may risk first