The term 'INITIAL CHIPS' is a crossword solution that consists of two words. The first word, 'ANTES, ' is a five-letter word meaning 'BEFORE.' This term is often used in poker to refer to the money that players must put into the pot BEFORE the game begins. The second word, 'CHIPS, ' refers to the tokens or counters used to represent money in a casino or card game. Together, the two words form the phrase 'initial chips, ' which is used to describe the money that players must put into the pot BEFORE the game begins.