Pay to play

Latest answer — September 08, 2026

3 Down

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Clue explained

An ANTE is the stake a player puts into the pot before play begins, hence “pay to play.” It is a noun in poker and other wagering games.

Clue type:
Definition
Poker chips being placed into the center of a table

WSJ Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, September 08, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Gent
  2. 5Ness was one
  3. 9Slightly
  4. 13LP player
  5. 14Falling-out
  6. 15Turned up
  7. 16Vessel for pillow makers?
  8. 18Effortless style
  9. 19Religious recess
  10. 20GPS suggestion
  11. 21Moralistic folks
  12. 22D-Day transport
  13. 23Vessel for academics?
  14. 26Carey with a five-octave vocal range
  15. 28Juan’s one
  16. 29“I take it that’s ___”
  17. 30Ritzy
  18. 31Style with a pick
  19. 33Usual fare
  20. 34Vessel for lettuce growers?
  21. 37Firewood measure
  22. 40Pleased as punch
  23. 41Tendrils
  24. 45Last-minute party purchase
  25. 46Top bond rating
  26. 47Be champs again
  27. 48Vessel for carpenters?
  28. 52Nautical affirmative
  29. 53Banks in Cooperstown
  30. 54Met score
  31. 55Currently has the mic
  32. 56Japanese soup paste
  33. 57Vessel for coach drivers?
  34. 60Have ___ (know somebody)
  35. 61Climber’s goal
  36. 62Plays a round
  37. 63Lacking
  38. 64Furniture collection?
  39. 65QBs’ mishaps

Down

  1. 1Heavy-duty shop tool
  2. 2Long Island university
  3. 3Pay to play
  4. 4Many a “Meet the Press” guest
  5. 5Dare alternative
  6. 6Sal of “Exodus”
  7. 7Texans and Titans’ org.
  8. 8High degree
  9. 9Some laptops
  10. 10“South Pacific” song sung by Bloody Mary
  11. 11Dream up
  12. 12Equivalent of two fins
  13. 13Sacred songs
  14. 17Puckish
  15. 21Debate faction
  16. 23Rice spirit
  17. 24Sensational
  18. 25Before long, to Shakespeare
  19. 27Sharp, as a TV picture
  20. 31Two-time loser to Dwight
  21. 32Dry Tortugas Natl. Pk. setting
  22. 33Tap trouble
  23. 35“I’ve got ___ in Kalamazoo”
  24. 36Water jug
  25. 37Places to see stars
  26. 38Simple wind instrument
  27. 39Controls, as out-of-control spending
  28. 42Premium chips ingredient
  29. 43Bribes
  30. 44Artery inserts
  31. 46Big heart?
  32. 47Russo of “Get Shorty”
  33. 49They have their pride
  34. 50Carriages in Kew Gardens
  35. 51Sound of Washington
  36. 55Press
  37. 57Bummed out
  38. 58The Horned Frogs’ sch.
  39. 59Film FX

The answer to “Pay to play” in the Wall Street Journal crossword is ANTE — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on September 8, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 3-Down, and it has also run on 2 earlier dates with the same answer. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Pay to play” answer

ANTE (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ANTE.

What does ANTE mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of ANTE is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • a stake put up by a player in poker or brag before receiving cards

When else has “Pay to play” appeared?

Wall Street Journal reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Pay to play”?

The answer is ANTE, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal crossword on September 8, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Pay to play”?

4 letters: ANTE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Wall Street Journal crossword on September 8, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 3-Down. Earlier appearances: August 27, 2026 → ANTE; August 5, 2026 → ANTE.

Can “Pay to play” have a different answer?

Yes — Wall Street Journal sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's WSJ answers?

The full grid for September 8, 2026 is on the WSJ answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

Wall Street Journal Crossword is published by The Wall Street Journal; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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