The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ABETS
A
B
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S
More clues leading to the result ABETS
- Helps when chance has to be seized
- One moves to lead in police patrols and gets involved in crime
- Beats criminal and gives assistance to another?
- Assists dealer, say, as stakes come in
- Helps beast in distress
- Helps as man’s heart has a flutter
- Helps president with heartless tasks
- Supports top of aspidistra with stakes
- Partners in crime, like to take chance
- Criminally assists as wager is accepted
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Helps" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case helps = abets.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ABETS mean?
ABETS noun- Fraud or cunning.
- An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid.
- To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.
- To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.
- To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid (any good cause, opinion, or action); to maintain.
- To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.