Beneath the flashing lights and free drinks, casinos are rigged to slowly drain patrons of their cash. For years, mathematically inclined people have tried to turn the tables, using probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in a system that seems to be designed to bleed them of money.
But most gamblers don’t think about the design of a casino when placing their bets. They are too focused on winning, or at least not losing as much as possible. They don’t realize that casinos use psychology to trick you into gambling the night away, even though the house always wins.
For instance, almost every casino has really garish carpeting and that’s by design. It keeps you awake and moving around the floor, which helps keep your bankroll in motion. Casinos also make loud noises when you win, and quiet when you lose, to manipulate you emotionally. This makes you want to gamble more, as it’s exciting to hear the loud noise and see the money fly out of the machine.
Another trick is the way casinos comp you. They give you free stuff, like hotel rooms or meals, for being a big spender. They also have free shows, transportation and even airline tickets for high rollers. You might wonder why they would do this, but it’s a way to keep you coming back.
Despite the glamour, casinos are still places that take your money and often damage local real estate values. So, before you head to the next casino, be sure to set a budget and stick to it.
