Whether you’re looking for the next big win or just a little bit of fun, casinos are a great place to go. The bright lights, free drinks and fast-paced action can make it a blast, but you have to be careful not to get carried away with the gambling fever.
Despite the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics that is engineered to slowly bleed you of your hard-earned money. While some games require a small amount of skill, the vast majority of casino games are completely chance based and designed to erode your bankroll over time. For years, mathematically inclined physicists have attempted to turn the tables on these rigged systems by applying their knowledge of probability and game theory to beat the house.
But it’s not all about losing, and you don’t have to be a genius to realize that you have a much better shot at winning on the casino floor if you keep your losses to a minimum. A good way to control your spending is to bring a separate amount of money for each day and only use that to gamble. And when the limit is reached, it’s time to leave.
It’s impossible to pinpoint when and where the first casinos opened, but they have existed for centuries. From the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden to the fabled red-and-gold poker rooms of Las Vegas, casino culture has been a fixture in a variety of exotic locales.