Casino is a masterpiece from Martin Scorsese that exposes the seedy side of Vegas while still capturing the opulence and excitement. The movie is a riveting thriller that keeps the pace moving throughout its almost three-hour running time. It’s not easy to depict the brutality of organized crime in a movie but Scorsese has done it with aplomb. His use of violence is not gratuitous and the performances are top notch. Robert De Niro is utterly convincing as the gambler/mobster Ginger McKenna and Sharon Stone is simply mesmerizing as the blonde hustler who gives him grief. Joe Pesci is also superb as the intimidating Santoro.

Almost every scene in the casino is visually stimulating with flashing lights and bright colors. The constant movement and sounds of people winning create a sense of energy that draws players in. Casinos even go so far as to make the games with the lousiest odds (like slots and craps) more attractive by amping them up with flashing lights and a lot of color. This is designed to confuse the brain and lead it to believe that a win is imminent. This tactic is called “near wins” and it makes people keep playing hoping to hit the jackpot. In reality, the odds are still heavily against them. This is why it’s so important to start with a fixed amount of money that you are prepared to lose and stick to it. You will have a much better chance of having fun and making smart decisions if you do.