Casino is a classic crime story set in the glamorous world of Las Vegas. De Niro and Pesci make for a powerful duo, both exulting in their ability to swindle, manipulate, and dominate men (and women). The movie is a sexy, smart thriller that delivers a healthy return on investment for its makers. Its depiction of vicious criminality, however, is less a celebration of the old days than a skepticism of what will replace them. This ambivalence is evident in the film’s truly hellacious violence, including a torture-by-vice sequence featuring a popped eyeball and a shockingly edited and sound-designed baseball bat beating that had to be trimmed for an NC-17 rating.
While the best way to avoid losing money at a casino is to walk in with a clear idea of how much you are willing to lose, casinos provide many temptations that can easily cause you to exceed your budget. A few simple tricks can help you stay within your limits.
A casino’s security starts on the gambling floor, where the games and patrons are constantly under surveillance. Dealers watch for blatant cheating such as palming, marking, or switching cards and dice. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of the tables and can spot betting patterns that may signal cheating. There are also a variety of other security measures, from video cameras to hidden microphones.
Comps are free goods or services that casinos give to their “good” players, which they can redeem for hotel rooms, meals, shows, and limo service. It’s easier than ever to exploit these systems with some ingenuity and chutzpah, though. The easiest way is through loyalty programs, which track how much you play and what stakes.