1. [n]  the act of hiding playing cards in a gambling game so they are available for personal use later
2. [n]  a refusal by a negotiator to come to terms in the hope of obtaining a better deal
3. [n]  a negotiator who hopes to gain concessions by refusing to come to terms; "their star pitcher was a holdout for six weeks"

HOLDOUT is a 7 letter word that starts with H.