A night at the casino is the adult, sophisticated equivalent of hours spent at an adventure playground as a child. With a choice of games, a luxurious ambience, a well-stocked bar and often tempting extras like live music and great food, it’s a compelling choice for a Friday night out. 

 

We all know the old saying that “the house always wins.” While we can dream about being one of the lucky ones to hit the jackpot, we know we are more likely to end the evening a few pounds down, but that’s fine. Any good night out will mean spending money and this is no different. 

 

Where you have to take care, however, is in making sure you don’t spend more than you intended, chasing that big win. Casinos use different psychological tricks to encourage you to keep playing. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s simple marketing. But by being aware of what’s happening around you, you can make sure you are the one in control.

 

No way out?

 

This is perhaps the most famous casino trick. But as we will see in a moment, it is one that is becoming less common. Old fashioned casinos in Las Vegas like the Golden Nugget, are laid out like a maze. Once you’re in, you can find it difficult to locate the exits, just more and more gaming choices. The reason for doing this is obvious and unsubtle. But more recent research has found that this is more likely to put customers off, so change is in the air.

 

But times are changing

 

More modern casinos, like the new ones in Leeds and at the NEC in Manchester, opt for a clearer layout where different types of games are grouped together and you can clearly see what is where – including the exits. It’s an unusual case of the real world imitating the virtual, as this is how an online casino is typically laid out. It’s a case of moving with the times and understanding that people are generally more savvy to this kind of technique now than they used to be. 

 

Celebrate the wins

 

A jackpot payout is good news for the player, but it’s also a great marketing opportunity for the casino. All that noise and the flashing lights isn’t just to celebrate the lucky individual’s achievement. It is also to demonstrate to others in the casino that it could happen to anyone – in fact another jackpot might be only a spin away! 

 

Lower your defences

 

If you’ve spent time in Vegas, you’ll know that a golden rule in the casino is never to pay for your drinks! As long as you keep playing and you tip the bartender, the free drinks keep flowing. This can lead you down a dangerous road, as alcohol affects your decision making and risk appetite. Be strict with yourself, and make sure you stick to your initial plan regarding timing and bankroll. Or, of course, simply play online so that you are the one setting the rules and pouring the drinks!