| 
| 
| 
| GDPR | Microgaming Casinos | NetEnt Casinos
What are high stakes games?
High stakes (or high limit) games are regular casino games like roulette or blackjack, but played with very large bets. Players who frequent these games are often referred to as high rollers, and may receive preferential treatment at casinos. Baccarat is often viewed as a favourite game for high rollers.
The high roller treatment
We'd all like to be treated well by casinos but let's face it, it makes sense for them to roll out the red carpet for the biggest investors. If you've ever been to Las Vegas or any big brick and mortar casino you've probably seen a fair few VIPs. It's obvious when they're around, and not just because of the flash cars they arrive in. When a high roller arrives at a casino they'll immediately be greeted by a harem of casino staff, often including the casino manager themselves. High stakes players will often have their own dedicated table waiting or, for super high rollers, their own room.
Casinos go to great lengths to accommodate high stakes players because of the money they bring in. I remember reading a case about the famous poker player Phil Ivey winning $9.6 million on baccarat with edge-sorting that was only made possible after he insisted the casino rotate the cards in front of him for good luck. The payout was contested, but it serves as an example of the lengths casinos will go to in order to keep their high stakes players happy.
Limits
There are three main types of limit you'll want to check for before you commit to playing at a high stakes casino: deposit limits, withdrawal limits, and table limits. I've read tonnes of reviews from players (both high stakes and regular) getting wound up when they've made deposit after deposit only to get a big win and then be told there are limits to how much they can withdraw each month. It's frustrating but if it's all in the terms and conditions, there's not much you can do, so make sure you think ahead.
The other main thing you should look for are table limits. Many players will play games like roulette that involve covering a large amount of the board, and if this isn't possible it can jeopardise the whole bet and any potential winnings. Some tables have a betting limit of a few hundred chips, so make sure the casino is able to accommodate your high stakes bets in full, as the term high stakes itself is pretty ambiguous.
VIP service online
So how can you make sure you get the same special treatment when you play high stakes online? Well, there are a few ways to go about it. The first thing is to look for a VIP section on the casino website. Most casinos will run a VIP loyalty scheme which rewards players who return to the site often with a series of perks including increased bonuses, personal Account Managers, birthday gifts and invitations to exclusive VIP events.
To get to the upper echelons of VIP schemes you'll usually have to put in the hours, but more recently I've noticed sites are encouraging big money players to email them directly for a faster route to the top perks. I guess this must be a way of poaching high stakes players from rival sites without making them grind it out for a month or two. If you intend to play high stakes, search the site to see if you can email the team for extra perks. Even if there's no mention of it, just drop the CS team an email - you never know what they might be able to sort out.
If a casino offers high stakes but doesn't have an attractive VIP scheme, avoid it like the plague. As a high roller, your business is coveted and though you may prefer the look and feel of a certain casino, you'll lose out big time in the long term by not getting the perks your input deserves.
Trustworthy casinos
Whenever we enter our details online, we should always do so with a sense of caution - but this is never truer than when looking for a high roller casino. High rollers are often targeted because of the amount of money at their disposal. This could mean a fraudster either taking small amounts that may go unnoticed, or even worse taking massive amounts in one go. It is therefore vitally important that you research the casino in question before playing high limit games there.
Do not simply judge high limit casinos by their appearance. It is relatively easy for a fraudulent site to have a polished appearance and at the same time be above board. I myself play at many sites which look pretty shabby but are actually completely legitimate. It is the same case here. In my opinion the best review you can ever get is word of mouth, from somebody who knows you and can be trusted. However, the problem is that, when it comes to high stakes online casino games, there's no guarantee that you'll know anyone who plays high stakes. Therefore the only option is to search the internet for reviews of these casinos. Don't just judge them on the last one or two reviews as they could be planted - make sure you delve deep. It might not be the most exciting prospect but you'll kick yourself if you're conned because you didn't bother to do the necessary background checks.
Pinnacle is widely regarded as one of the top tips for high rollers but there are plenty more. Sky Vegas, Bet Victor (formerly known as Victor Chandler) and Casino Club are just a few of the most well-receive high stakes casinos out there.