high-stakes game

1. A game on whose outcome a large sum of money is wagered. He lost all his savings in high-stakes games of poker. Why would I want any part of your high-stakes game? I'm terrible at blackjack! It's a high-stakes game—you could really stand to make a lot of money here.

2. A situation involving two or more opposing people or groups that carries serious risks for those who fail. This is a high-stakes game the two countries are playing. One wrong move could mean nuclear annihilation. A: "Chicken is a high-stakes game." B: "Sure. One of the participants potentially pays with their life." The stock market is a high-stakes game, especially when you're investing that much money!