A casino is a place where people go to gamble on games of chance and sometimes skill. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, keno and other gambling games account for the billions of dollars in profit that casinos generate annually. The lighted fountains, musical shows and hotels that adorn many casinos provide some of the extras that draw visitors in, but the gambling is what brings them back.
While the idea of winning big at a casino is appealing, it’s important to remember that nothing is left to chance. The mathematical odds for each game give the house a built-in advantage over the players, and this is known as the “house edge.” It’s very rare that a patron will walk out of a casino with more money than he or she entered with.
Something about the casino environment encourages cheating, stealing and scamming. This is why casinos spend a large amount of time, effort and money on security. The security system has to be able to detect any attempts to manipulate the odds or the rules of a game. It also has to keep tabs on patrons, making sure that they are of legal age to play and that they don’t attempt to steal money or merchandise.
While the security systems are top of the line, a lot of the security work is done by watching patterns. The way the dealers shuffle and deal cards, the places that the players put their bets and even the motions of the other players all follow certain patterns. When someone deviates from these norms, it’s easy for the security staff to spot the problem and nip it in the bud.