bait n1
[. . .]
4 In marble or top play: = dake n; hence phrr grab bait(s) (and run). [Prob folk-etym of date n]
1902 Outing 40.233 NEng, Each player placed a top in the smaller ring; and this collection, know as the “bait,” was often the most disreputable assemblage of tops one could well imagine. . . The game began by the first player standing at the outer ring, . . and throwing his pegger, . . at the tops in the ring; the object being to knock the tops out. To make a successful shot a bait top must not only be knocked out of the inner ring, but the pegger must spin after the shot is made. 1934 AmSp 9.75 ND, Baits. The marbles which a player puts in the ring as his ante. . . Dubbs. A general cry, giving claim to all the marbles and often used by a boy who grabs baits and runs. . . Grab baits and run. A contemptible act in which one grabs all the marbles and runs, as when the bell ending recess rings. 1945 Harvard Courier (NE) 1 Feb 7/1, At recesses . . when boys of different grades are playing marbles and the school bell rings, everyone shouts, “Grab bait!” The biggest fellow with the biggest hand, and is the closest, usually gets them all. 1955 PADS 23.11 AL, cwTN, Bait. . . ante. Ibid 19 cwTN, Grab baits (-stakes, -dates) (and run). . . To pick up all the marbles in the ring when something happens which indicates that the game will be stopped. 1963 KY Folkl. Rec. 9.61 neKY, The marbles of an individual being played for in a game. . . bait. . . baits.