Beneath the varnish of flashing lights and free cocktails casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed their patrons for cash. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn the tables, employing probability and game theory to exploit flaws in a system designed to cheat them out of their money. The most successful efforts so far have been in the area of casino poker, where players compete against other players rather than the house, and are not punished for small mistakes.

Most modern casinos offer a large variety of games, with a wide range of payback percentages and prize sizes to appeal to a broad spectrum of gamblers. Slot machines are usually the most prominent, and tend to be the fastest-paced games, with the greatest payouts and a low house edge of about 1 percent, depending on rules and other factors. Table games like blackjack and roulette attract higher-stakes bettors, and some require a significant level of skill. Many casinos also feature traditional Far Eastern games like sic bo, fan-tan, and pai gow.

In addition to the wide variety of games available, casinos have a variety of strategies for increasing their profits and keeping their patrons happy. For example, most casinos don’t have clocks on their casino floors, to make it easy for patrons to lose track of time and keep playing for longer. Some even prohibit dealers from wearing watches, to keep their eyes firmly fixed on the tables and prevent them from noticing patrons palming cards or marking dice. Casinos also have a number of ways to encourage their patrons to spend more, including free drinks, food, and show tickets.