We’ve all been there: Strolling into a twinkly casino, wallet filled with cash and plans for some enjoyable, sensible gambling, and maybe two rounds of cocktails. But before you go, decide how much you can comfortably lose (it’s not about winning money – this is strictly entertainment) and stick to it. That way, you’ll know when you’re finished and won’t end up chasing your losses with ever-increasing bets, which is how casinos hope you’ll keep playing.
It’s also important to realize that gambling is not a lucrative activity. In fact, the only thing a casino is guaranteed to win in any given day is its house edge, which represents the average gross profit from every game. That’s why casinos employ mathematicians who are skilled in computing odds and variance, to help them predict how much of a profit they can expect to make over time.
Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s most riveting movies, and even at almost three hours, it never lags or runs out of steam. But what is it about this movie that makes it so compelling? Here are some of the key elements that set it apart.
We don’t see any good guys in Casino – the entire story is mired in violence, corruption and avarice – but we do feel sorry for some of the characters at the end. That’s a testament to the movie’s brilliant script and the acting of Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone, who both deliver powerful performances.