Merchant who gives you a hand (6)
I believe the answer is:
dealer
'merchant' is the definition.
(dealer is a kind of merchant)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dealer that I've seen before include "The one who distributes the cards" , "Card distributor" , "who makes first bid" , "See 24" , "putting his cards on the table?" .)