Beneath the varnish of flashing lights and free drinks, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. For years, mathematically inclined minds have been attempting to turn the tables on these rigged games using their knowledge of game theory and probability.
Despite the fact that gambling should always be seen as entertainment rather than a way to make money, the prospect of winning can be very appealing to many people. This is why slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker are among the most popular attractions in casinos around the world.
Casino is a gangster movie dialed up to 11. Director Martin Scorsese does a great job of portraying mob life, with Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro) running the Tangiers hotel and casino for his mob elders back east while also managing his drug-addicted trophy wife and loose-cannon mobster friend from Chicago, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci).
Casino is an excellent film that features a number of psychological tricks used by casinos to keep their patrons playing for extended periods of time. One of these techniques is to offer comps such as free meals or rooms to players who gamble enough. This encourages players to continue gambling in order to earn these perks, which can quickly add up. Another trick is to strategically place essential amenities such as toilets, restaurants, and cash machines deep within the casino floor so that players must pass by numerous tables, slot machines, and other games in order to use these facilities. This makes players feel like they are constantly in danger of missing out on a big win and keeps them coming back for more.