In casinos, the terms shark, fish, and whale describe different types of players. These terms give an accurate picture of the way players approach and play a game. When you play against a shark, whale, or fish, you need to use different strategies.
Sharks
Inexperienced players who come up against these predators have good reason to be fearful. Sharks are proficient players who are always on the hunt. They know how to leverage the house edge and odds to get an advantage.
Anticipating the moves of their opponents is second nature to them. They will take calculated risks and know when to bluff. Rather than acting recklessly or being driven by emotion, they will be patient as they look for opportunities to make a killing.
When it comes to online gambling, sharks will play games such as blackjack or good video poker machines. They know a low house edge gives them more opportunities to win.
Whales
Whales are players with large bankrolls. They will make high-stakes bets so they have the potential of winning high payouts. As they tend to rely on luck, they may hit it big or lose plenty of money. As they have so much money, the thrill of gaming means more to them than winning or losing. They find it hard to walk away if they’re playing on a hot slot machine.
Fishes
Fishes are inexperienced, casual players. You may decide to take a day off to recharge yourself by playing slot machines at a casino. This means you treat gambling as entertainment that you indulge in every once in a while. A fish also refers to someone who is a target for more experienced players. A shark can easily exploit an inexperienced fish. Fish have less understanding of the risks that come with gambling and tend to be naïve.
Strategies when playing against different types of players
If you are a less experienced player playing against a shark, you need to be aware that your opponent will capitalize on any mistakes you make. You should play conservatively and be careful rather than making high-stakes bets or a risky bluff. It is difficult to outplay sharks. If you have plenty of patience and can wait for winning opportunities, you may have a chance of beating them.
As whales bet higher stakes, playing against them is probably not a good idea. If you do play against a whale, you must set limits on your bankroll and walk away if things start going badly.
A mistake new players often make is to bet too much on a single round or hand. Another mistake they tend to make is to stay at hand when it’s unlikely they will win. If you are a more experienced player, you can take advantage of the mistakes fish make due to a lack of understanding of the game. Remember that you also started off as a fish and still treat them with respect.
