Related Clues:

• A few chips, say, in poker
• Player's fee
• Poker-hand starter
• Before, in combos
• Dealer's call, perhaps
• The beginning of school, for a toddler?
• Fork over, with "up"
• -- -med
• Deal precursor
• Before, before words
• Initial contribution of a sort
• Start to amble?
• First penny, perhaps
• Deserve a hand?
• Opening bet, in poker