First chip in the hand crossword clue
1 Across · WSJ Crossword, July 13, 2026 · 4 letters
Explanation
The answer to “First chip in the hand” is ANTE. It appears as 1 Across in the Wall Street Journal crossword of July 13, 2026, a Monday puzzle titled “Just Getting Started” by Zhouqin Burnikel, and it fills 4 squares running left to right from row 1, column 1 of the 15×15 grid.
The clue is a straightforward definition, so the answer is a direct synonym or a factual match for the words as written. The entry begins with A and ends with E, and contains 2 vowels and 2 consonants. If you are working from the crossings, two or three confirmed letters from the Down entries should be enough to lock it in. Monday puzzles are the most approachable of the week, so expect the rest of this grid to be pitched at the same level.
Past appearances
Clues in other WSJ puzzles with the answer ANTE:
- Pay to playAug 27, 2026
- Initial costAug 21, 2026
- Pay to playAug 5, 2026
- Kitty feedJun 17, 2026
- Chip, maybeMay 20, 2026
- Poker paymentMay 9, 2026