Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US black) to play cards for low stakes; thus spudding n.

1935

Z.N. Hurston Mules and Men (1995) 50: Jack looked at de hund’ud dollars and put down five hund’ud and says, ‘Man, Ah ain’t for no spuddin’. You playin’ wid yo’ stuff out de winder. You fat ’round de heart. Bet some money’.