In the context of gambling, whale is a term synonymous with high roller, that is a casino game player who wagers large amounts of money and has a very large bankroll. Whales can place thousands of dollars in a single bet and are seen as the most prized customers by casinos. In land-based casinos, whales often draw crowds of onlookers to the table at which they are playing.
Alternatively, in the context of poker, the term whale can be used to refer to a rich person who bets recklessly and does not play poker very well.
Whale:
- a) Synonym of high roller
- b) A rich player who is bad at poker.