db4 dba_replace doesnt seem to work for me

[google]

I am trying to write to a dba and the result is creating a database
file, but not writing anything to it. The relevant function is being
called, and my variables are populated, but the database file remains
empty. Am I writing the string arguments wrong, please ?

function addplayer($realname,$pokername){
$dbh=dba_open("../pokeraliases","n","db4") or die ("Couldnt make the
database");
dba_replace("$realname","$pokername",$dbh);
dba_close($dbh);
print ("PERFORMING ADD FUNCTION <br />");
print ("posted variables are $realname and $pokername <br /><br />");
}

if ($addplayer=="add") {
addplayer($name,$alias);
}