If you’ve ever stepped into a casino, you know that the environment is designed to make you spend money. That’s why they have ringing bells, bright colors, and even free booze. They’re aware that alcohol lowers inhibitions, and they want to encourage you to spend more.
You’ve set a budget to spend at the casino. You’ve decided not to gamble any more than you can afford, but still think that you’ll have a good time. And you’ve come prepared with plenty of cash to play and enjoy the food, drinks, and entertainment at the casino.
So you step into the Luxor, Mohegan Sun, or Tropicana with confidence and a wallet filled with cash. You’ve planned on playing a few games of blackjack or baccarat and maybe having a drink or two. But then, you start to lose track of time and your bankroll.
It’s a shame, because casinos have a lot of tricks up their sleeves to keep you spending your hard-earned money. Read on to learn about nine of the most effective tricks.
1. Slot machines: A casino earns a larger portion of its money from slots than any other game.
Many people love slot machines because they’re simple to play and have no skill required. Varying bands of colored shapes roll on reels, and if the right pattern comes up, you win a predetermined amount of money.
2. Comps: These are offers that casinos give to players for spending a certain amount of time in their casino games. However, these offer are usually more advantageous to the casino than to the player.
3. Superstitions: Gamblers often believe that certain games, dealers or anything associated with the casino is lucky or unlucky. The belief may lead a player to change dealers or take other measures that are not considered normal in the gaming world.
4. Music: Most casinos use upbeat music to attract patrons and to encourage them to play more games. They also use ringing bells and sirens to create the illusion of winning when someone wins at the tables or in front of the slot machines.
5. Casino security: Dealers are incredibly vigilant on the floor and in the pit. They can easily spot blatant cheating by a player, such as palming, marking or switching cards and dice.
6. Video poker: A popular casino game, video poker has a house edge of 0.46 percent (some versions have a slightly higher advantage). It’s best played at an expert level, and it can take some practice to get good at it.
7. Casino rewards: Bonuses and rewards are offered by most casinos to boost a player’s return on their money. These bonuses can be in the form of free meals, hotel stays or other perks.
8. Free drinks: The casino knows that booze lowers inhibitions, and it’s also a way to encourage you to play more.
9. No clocks on the casino walls: There’s no reason for them to have a clock on the wall, and it wouldn’t be fireproof.