One of the few movies where the bad guys get their comeuppance, Casino is a lean, mean, crime thriller. Its cast is led by a masterful performance from Robert De Niro as mobster Frank Leone, but Sharon Stone shines even brighter as the blonde hustler Ginger McKenna. Despite the three-hour length, the movie never lags or runs out of steam. It’s a testament to the skill of its director, Martin Scorsese, who keeps the action tight and taut.
Many people turn to casinos for entertainment, and the social interaction they provide is a welcome break from the isolation of day-to-day life. But they also offer the potential to win money, and for some that’s a life-changing jackpot. In addition, gambling stimulates local economies by generating jobs and bringing in tax revenue.
Beneath the flashing lights and complimentary drinks, casinos are a collection of mathematically engineered games designed to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. For years, mathematically inclined physicists have attempted to turn the tables on these games by using their knowledge of probability and game theory to find ways to beat them.
But physics alone is not enough to overcome the sunk cost fallacy, which encourages people to follow losing bets with even bigger ones. In addition, the fact that you’re dealing with chips rather than actual cash helps to decouple your emotional connection to that lost money. Moreover, many casinos offer loyalty programs that reward frequent players with free meals and hotel stays.
