Related Clues:

• Initial payment
• Toss in a chip, say
• Pay to play 19 Across
• Avoided a hunger strike
• Start for date?
• Did some noshing
• Chamber starter
• Enjoy a meal
• Front money
• You might get a hand for it
• Gobbled down
• Poker-game starter
• Gin-game pot
• Lunched, e.g.
• Took a course