Casinos are a world in themselves with their flashy decor, the clinking of slots and a palpable energy that can make even the most cynical player feel a thrill with every roll of the dice. Gambling in all its forms has been a part of human civilization for millennia – wood blocks used for dice showed up in 2300 BC, card games entered the scene around 500 AD and by the 1500s the first game still played today, baccarat, emerged in Italy.
It is important for casinos to know their house edge and variance – two statistics calculated by gaming mathematicians. This allows them to determine how much money they are likely to lose over time and gives them a realistic view of their cash reserves. Casinos are also constantly collecting data on how players interact with their games – this helps them to understand the behavior of customers and serve them better.
Although it is probably one of the most violent movies Scorsese has made, Casino delivers a real-world history lesson on Vegas and its changing fortunes. De Niro and Sharon Stone are in top form and Joe Pesci’s presence adds a welcome touch of menace to the proceedings. At three hours long, the movie never lags or runs out of steam, thanks to masterful editing and taut narration. It is a testament to the skills of the director that he has managed to keep this macho drama compelling until the final frame.
