| PLAYING | Taking part in a game or sport |
| PLAYER | Participant in a game or sport (6) |
| PLAY | Participate in a game or sport (4) |
| ACTIVITY | Word for busy, energetic or lively movement; a training exercise; or, a recreational pursuit or pastime, such as a game or sport (8) |
| SCORE | Set of 20; music composed for a film; or, the total number of points achieved in a game or sports event (5) |
| WHITEWASH | Word for a glass of sherry after claret, port or other wine; wall paint synonymous with a cover-up, deception or glossing over; or, a total defeat or thrash in a game or match (9) |
| TURN | A change of direction; a short walk; one's go or chance to make a move in a game; or, a short act (4) |
| PLOY | A cunning plan to gain advantage; a manoeuvre or gambit in a game or conversation; or, a hobby, job etc with which one is occupied (4) |
| JACKPOT | A large cash prize in a game or lottery (7) |
| WILDCARD | An athlete such as a tennis player allowed to compete in a game or match despite being unqualified (4,4) |
| TIMEOUT | Clock-stopper in a game, or a description of the answer to each starred clue |
| MVP | Award for the best athlete in a game or season: Abbr. |
| FOE | Opponent in a game or contest |
| RUGBY | Team game or sport invented at the school portrayed in Thomas Hughes Tom Brown's School Days (5) |
| ROULETTE | Game or sport involving ball and detailed communication (8) |
| STUDPOKER | Game or sport duke played (4,5) |
| HATTRICK | Three goals scored in a game or wickets taken with consecutive deliveries by an individual (3,5) |
| HUDDLE | A dense crowd or jumble; an impromptu secret conference; a close gathering of strategising sports players prior to a game; or, a group of penguins or walruses (6) |
| WALKER | One engaging in pedestrianism for enjoyment, exercise or sport; a trainer of foxhound puppies; a stick insect; a forester; a comfortable shoe; or, a VIP's escort at a social event (6) |
| BLEED | Win a lot of money a little at a time, from either a game or a particular player* |
