A casino is a place where gambling activities take place. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without games of chance such as roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and video poker. It is these games that rake in billions of dollars for the owners of casinos every year.
Gambling is a complex activity that requires weighing risk and reward, wise decisions, and a little luck. It is associated with glitz and glamour, but it can also be seedy and sleazy. The casino is a unique place that offers the thrill of gambling with all its trappings, but there are also plenty of reasons to avoid it altogether.
Security in a casino starts on the floor of the gaming area, where casino employees keep an eye on the patrons to make sure everything goes as it should. Dealers are heavily focused on their game, so it is easy for them to spot blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards or dice. Table managers and pit bosses have a broader view over the tables and look out for patterns in betting that may indicate cheating.
Casino employees see thousands of patrons gambling every week, and they have a good idea of where the “hot” machines are. They are often willing to share this information with you for a good tip, but remember that they may be violating company policy by doing so. Asking them for this information may result in your being kicked out of the casino.