Answer: antes

AnswerCrossword Clue
ANTESFirst chips in the pot
ANTESAdds to the kitty
ANTESChips, at times
ANTESFirst chips in the middle
ANTESChips in a chip
ANTESFirst chips in the center
ANTESPuts in one's chips
ANTESPuts in the pot
ANTESGets in on the deal
ANTESSmall stakes
ANTESThey help the pot grow
ANTESThey get pots going
ANTESResponds to "Are you in?," maybe
ANTESPot creators
ANTESForks over, with "up"
ANTESStarts the kitty
ANTESFirst pot chips
ANTESPayments for hands
ANTESEnters into a deal?
ANTESPre-deal round
antesfixed stake put into the pot by each player before the deal
ANTESPot starters
ANTESFeeds the kitty
ANTESChamber and room leaders
ANTESChips in at the start
ANTESThey're often upped
ANTESPays to play
ANTESHand-delivery fees?
ANTESStud stakes
ANTESFees for poker hands
ANTESPot sweeteners
ANTESStarts the pot
ANTESFeeds the pot
ANTESPot builders
ANTESDeal preceders
ANTESGets the kitty going
ANTESDeal prerequisites
ANTESInitial stakes
ANTESStarts the poker pot
ANTESAdds to the pot