Getting Some of Your Bet Back
To make things even better for the player, some European Roulette tables (often called French Roulette) feature special rules that apply to even-money bets (like Red/Black or Odd/Even) when the ball lands on zero.

From Levers to Wires: casino The Next Generation
The next significant leap forward occurred in the 1960s with the advent of electromechanical technology. While the reels were still mechanically spun, the game's logic and payout system were now controlled by electronics.

However, these classic games are the heart and soul of the casino experience, offering better odds and a more social atmosphere than slots. With a basic understanding of these games, you'll be ready to pull up a chair with confidence.

Card Values: If a hand's total is two digits, only the second digit counts (e.g., a hand of 7 and 8 is 15, which becomes a value of 5). The Best Bet: Statistically, the Banker bet has the lowest house edge (around 1.06%), even with the small commission the casino takes on winning Banker bets. The Three Bets: The dealer does all the work, drawing additional cards based on a fixed set of rules.

Charles Fey and the First Reels
Fey is widely credited with creating the first true slot machine, the "Liberty Bell," around 1895. Landing three Liberty Bells in a row resulted in the grand prize of fifty cents, or ten nickels.

The Basics: Cards 2-10 are worth their face value, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10, and an Ace can be worth 1 or 11. Your Choices: After seeing your initial hand, you can "Hit" (take another card) or "Stand" (keep your current hand). The Goal: The key to winning is not just to avoid busting, but to understand "basic strategy," a mathematically proven set of decisions for every possible hand.

Limo Service and Show Tickets: Complimentary transportation to and from the airport and free tickets to the best shows are common perks for valuable players. Airfare Reimbursement: For top-tier players, the casino may even pay for their flights to and from the resort. Higher-Tier Comps (For "High Rollers"):

RFB (Room, casino Food, and Beverage): This is reserved for players with a high theoretical loss. A Casino Host: High-volume players are assigned a personal casino host who acts as their concierge, arranging all their comps, making dinner reservations, and ensuring they have a seamless experience.

Exclusive Bonuses: Access to reload bonuses or free spin offers that are not available to regular players. Common Loyalty Rewards (Lower Tiers):

Cashback Offers: This is a very popular perk. Better Point Conversion Rates: The ability to redeem your loyalty points for cash at a more favorable rate.

Lower-Tier Comps (For most players):

Complimentary Drinks: As long as you are actively playing at a slot machine or table game, cocktail waitresses will offer you free drinks. Buffet Vouchers or Meal Discounts: After a decent session of play, you can often ask a pit boss or visit the loyalty desk to see if you qualify for a free meal at the buffet or a discount at one of the resort's restaurants. Reduced Room Rates: Even a moderate amount of play can result in mail or email offers for discounted hotel rooms on your next visit.

How to Play: You simply place your chips on the desired bet on the table, the dealer spins the wheel, and if the ball lands on a number that corresponds to your bet, you win! These offer lower payouts (typically 1:1) but have a much higher chance of hitting. Types of Bets: Alternatively, you can place "outside bets" on larger groups, such as Red/Black, Odd/Even, or 1-18/19-36. The Wheel and Table: The wheel has numbered pockets (1-36, plus 0 and sometimes 00), colored red and black (the zeros are green). The Sophisticated Yet Simple Card Game
Often associated with high rollers and casino - reviews over at Rich Realty - James Bond, Baccarat is actually one of the simplest table games to play.

Your Average Bet Size: A higher average bet naturally leads to a higher theo. The casino plugs these variables into a formula: Average Bet x Hours Played x House Edge = Theoretical Loss. How Long You Play (Time/Speed): The casino also tracks the speed of your play (e.g., how many hands of blackjack you play per hour). When you sign up for the casino's loyalty club, you receive a player's card.

The Game You Play: A game with a higher house edge will generate more theoretical loss and, therefore, more comps.

Always Use Your Player's Card: If your play isn't being tracked, you are earning zero comps. Ask for Comps: casino Don't be shy. Establish a Relationship: If your play warrants it, ask if you can be introduced to a casino host. Remember, comps are a byproduct of your entertainment. Concentrate Your Play: It's often better to concentrate all your play at one casino or casino group rather than spreading it out over several.

The Arrival of Video and Online Slots
The 1970s and 1980s marked the transition to fully electronic and video-based slots. Today's online slots are powered by certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), ensuring fair and unpredictable outcomes on every spin. However, once the technology gained approval from the Nevada State Gaming Commission, it paved the way for the video slots that dominate casino floors today.