Whale

Basic Definition

A whale is a recreational player who plays very loosely, often at high stakes, and loses a lot of money. It is the bigger version of a fish.

Specific Situation

• A businessman sits in a high-stakes game, plays almost every hand and calls big bets with weak hands. The regulars call him a whale.


• When a whale joins a game, other players try to get seats at the same table.

Important Information

• The term is slang and can sound disrespectful. Avoid using it at the table, where it can make recreational players uncomfortable.


• Games with whales are often the most profitable, so many players protect a friendly atmosphere to keep them playing.

Examples of Term Usage

"There's a whale in the 10/20 game, so the waiting list is long."