A visit to a casino can be a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening. But if you want to come away with some money in your pocket, it’s important to know how much to risk and how to manage your bankroll. Also, remember that being courteous to staff and other players is basic courtesy that everyone should practice. And if you’re not sure how to play, watch a couple of games before diving in.

Beneath the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics, designed to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. And it’s not hard to do, as mathematically inclined minds have long sought to use the laws of probability and game theory to turn the tables.

But for those who are not mathematically inclined, the odds are stacked against them. All casino games offer a house edge that guarantees the house a certain level of profit, even if only one person is gambling at a time. And as more and more people play, that house advantage increases.

Few movies have done a better job of capturing the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas than Martin Scorsese’s Casino. And for all its length—at nearly three hours—it never lags or loses steam. It’s a riveting, lean thriller that features a powerful performance by Robert De Niro as ruthless casino owner Sam Rothstein and an equally terrific Sharon Stone as sexy blonde hustler Ginger McKenna.