Imagine you’re in a twinkly casino, filled up at the buffet and itching to roll the dice or spin the wheel. Despite the flashing lights, free drinks and tempting aromas, there’s one thing you should know: casinos are not for everyone. They’re businesses, designed to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. They’re built on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to assure their profitability. For years mathematically inclined people have tried to turn the tables on this rigged system, using their knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit the house edge.
But the truth is, the odds are against you. Every game in a casino has a built-in advantage for the house, which allows it to generate gross profit over time. This advantage is known as the “house edge,” and it’s a mathematical certainty that you will lose money if you play long enough.
Despite the odds, many people still visit casinos to try their luck. While it’s true that gambling isn’t for the faint of heart, there are ways to minimize your losses. One of the most important is to find a casino that offers responsible gaming. This means offering tools like reality checks, deposit limits and self-exclusion tools that help players manage their spending habits and reduce the risk of gambling addiction.
While De Niro shines as the icy Sam “Ace” Rothstein, it’s Sharon Stone’s performance as Ginger McKenna that elevates the film. Recalling her star-making turn in Basic Instinct, Stone spikes the movie’s energy with her unerring ability to seduce and dominate men.