Casino is one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, a destination where millions of visitors visit to gamble and enjoy luxurious accommodations, high-end dining options and breathtaking art installations. But it’s also a place where people gamble for real money, and there are some things that every casino patron should know.
Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, dating back as early as 2300 BC in China, when archeologists found wooden blocks used in games of chance. The first gambling establishments appeared in Rome around 500 AD and card playing became popular around the 1400s. By the 20th century casinos were established in Europe, Asia and America. Today, more than 200 casinos operate worldwide and are attracting people from all over the world.
Guests enjoy everything from a relaxing spa treatment to a luxurious room in the casino’s plush suites and are treated to free shows and dazzling displays of the latest technology. But while musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers lure in the crowds, casinos would not exist without their most important attraction: gambling. Slot machines, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps account for the billions of dollars in profits raked in by casinos every year.
The casino’s advantage comes from the fact that every game has a built-in mathematical expectation of winning for the house. This is usually very small, often less than two percent, but it’s enough to keep casinos in business and pay for extravagant hotels, spectacular shows and a variety of other attractions.
Casino security is an intricate process that begins on the floor, where dealers watch the players to make sure they are not cheating in any way (such as palming or marking dice). In addition, all tables are manned by pit bosses and managers who have a much wider view of the action and can spot suspicious betting patterns. Security also patrols the rooms and the grounds, looking for anyone who may be trying to leave a table while still holding cards or chips.
Something about gambling encourages people to try to manipulate the odds or rig the game, which is why casinos spend so much time and effort on security. Those who are attempting to cheat or steal are not only putting the casino at risk of losing money, but they are hurting their own reputations and tarnishing the name of honest gambling.
Many casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo and fan-tan, but most feature a mix of American and European games. Casinos in the United States are more likely to feature blackjack and roulette, while European casinos concentrate on baccarat, trente et quarante and other popular game titles.
