Gambling 101 – How to Win Big at a Casino
The twinkly lights of a casino are alluring, and you’re eager to try your luck. You’re hoping to hit the jackpot and retire on a private island. But hold on, buckaroo. The odds are stacked against you.
Beneath the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics engineered to slowly bleed patrons’ money. Despite years of attempts by mathematicians and game theorists, casinos still make billions of dollars each year off their patrons’ irrational risk taking.
Many casinos use a mix of design and psychology to lure patrons in and keep them playing. For example, most casinos are deliberately designed as labyrinthine and feature curving paths that encourage players to keep wandering around the floor. They also use a lot of mirrors to create the illusion that players are winning, which can help them keep spending more money.
Booze is another big draw, since it lowers patrons’ inhibitions and clouds their judgment. It’s also inexpensive, and most casinos offer free drinks to patrons at the poker tables, slot machines, and horse-racing screens. They even take the sting out of losing by giving players rewards points for every dollar they spend—even if that dollar is lost.
There’s no doubt that gambling is a great way to have fun, but it’s important to remember that it is not a legitimate way to make money. Before you step into a casino, decide how much money you’re willing to gamble with and stick to it.