The term 'pay to play' is a phrase used to describe a situation in which someone must pay money in order to participate in an activity. The two crossword solutions for this term are 'ante' and 'anteup'. 'Ante' is a four-letter word meaning a stake or contribution made by each player in a card game before the cards are dealt. 'Anteup' is a six-letter word meaning to contribute or pay the required amount of money in order to participate in a game or activity.