Beneath the veneer of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. For years mathematically inclined minds have attempted to turn the tables, using their knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in a system that is by design rigged.
When most people think of a casino, they imagine one of the megaresorts in Las Vegas—a huge hotel and entertainment complex that’s bursting with fun and glitz. But there are many casinos across the country, and they vary in size and type. Some are large, open to the public and offering a variety of games and amenities, while others are smaller, privately operated businesses that focus on certain types of gambling.
The majority of casinos’ revenue comes from the sale of gaming chips. In addition, they collect a portion of the money wagered on individual games, called the house edge. In addition, most casinos offer comps (complimentary items) to gamblers to encourage them to spend more. During the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for their cheap travel packages and buffet deals, which were designed to attract gamblers and keep them spending on the floor as long as possible.
In a survey of Nevada residents conducted by Gemini Research in 2002, respondents who reported that they gambled at least once a year chose slot machines as their favorite casino games. Card games, such as blackjack and poker, and other table games, such as roulette and craps, were each far less popular. The report also found that most casino gamblers were forty-six-year-old women from households with above-average incomes.