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For this answer, we turned to Deke Castleman, senior editor of Huntington Press and author of Whale Hunt in the Desert, the only book ever written on the high-roller culture from A to Z. Here’s his response.
There’s no single answer to this question. Opinions vary. Also, a lot depends on who you are, which casino you’re playing at, and what time of year you’re there.
For example, if your name is Kerry Packer, you can bet $5 a hand at Wynn Las Vegas and still be considered a high roller. Or, to be considered a high roller at the Klondike, you might only have to bet $10-$25 a hand or roll or spin. Conversely, on the weekend during which the Chinese New Year falls, you could be betting $500 a hand in the Bellagio high-limit room and have the lowest average bet in the pit, not even qualifying for a comped hotel room.
But in general (an average Joe at all but the fanciest casinos on a weekday or a non-holiday weekend), betting $100 a hand is enough to qualify for high-roller status. At the first-tier joints, $250 will get you started, while there won’t be any status ambiguity at $500.
During my research for Whale Hunt, I came to the conclusion that anyone betting from $500 up to $10,000 a hand is a high roller anywhere in Las Vegas. Bets between $10,000 and $50,000 qualify a gambler for super-high-roller or mini-whale status. And anyone betting between $50,000 and $250,000 a hand (believed to be the highest bet taken in Las Vegas) is the highest of high rollers: a bonafide whale.