Casino

You stride into a twinkling Las Vegas casino brimming with confidence and a wallet full of cash, ready to roll the dice and see if lady luck has your back. But hours later, you don’t know how much time has passed, how many drinks you’ve downed or even where your money is.

Beneath flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics that’s engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. For years, mathematically inclined players have tried to use the laws of probability and game theory to turn the tables on this rigged system—but it’s not easy.

Despite all this, gambling is still a lot of fun. But it’s important to start with a fixed amount of money you’re willing to lose, and stick to it. Gambling isn’t meant to be a lucrative way to make money—it’s an experience, and one that’s best enjoyed with a clear head and the money you can afford to lose.

Casino is a gripping look at the darker side of Sin City, and Martin Scorsese’s masterful direction makes the movie feel lean and mean throughout its nearly three-hour length. It’s a perfect example of how to pack an epic story with riveting scenes and keep the audience on the edge of their seats.