Casinos pick your pockets by tweaking everything from the height of their ceilings to the payouts on their slot machines. These are tips pulled together from a collection of Vegas insiders to help you even out the odds.

Labyrinthine layouts appeal to our explorer’s instinct, says Anthony Lucas, Ph.D., an associate professor of casino management at UNLV. Entrances are flooded with machines for a reason: You’re less likely to gamble if you encounter empty space or nongaming attractions first, says Bill Friedman, author of Designing Casinos to Dominate the Competition. Things you actually need – bathrooms, cash-out zones – are far-flung and well guarded by gambling opportunities. Get a floor map at the hotel’s information desk.

Avoid themed slots (Wheel of Fortune) and aisle machines. Stick to out-of-the-way slots or settle for quarter machines, says Kevin Blackwood, author of Casino Gambling for Dummies. Although $5 slots lower the house edge to 3 percent, you’ll lose your money faster there.

Blackjack offers some of the best odds, but it’s fast-paced, meaning the casino’s meager edge (about 0.5 percent) has more chances to chip away at your kitty. “Your aim should be to get more bang for your buck and stretch your bankroll,” says Blackwood. Find better odds at games with fewer decks that force the dealer to stand on a soft 17. Extend gaming time by seeking out the most packed tables.

Photo Source: NY Times

It might be tough to score the penthouse upgrade, but the pit boss can grant you a free lunch. “They’ll comp you if they think it will entice you to stay and gamble,” says David deMontmollin, author of the Las Vegas Little Black Book.

Faux coin hits and blaring sound effects make you think winning is more common than it is. Avoid the aural onslaught with an iPod and sound-isolating headphones.

The Plus 8

• Placing small bets in the sports book encourages you to check in periodically, which keeps you from getting stuck in a gambler’s rut at the table games.
• Some casinos pump out pleasurable smells to create a cognitive hook for the gambling experience.
• By swapping chips for cash, the casino makes it easier to separate you from your wad.
• Cut the stiff house roulette advantage by splitting wagers between even-money (odd or even, black or white) and column bets.
• Never accept the first room rate you’re quoted. Agents have a secondary rate that’s usually up to $25 lower a night. Play off their sense of competition.
• Craps offers great odds and the slowest game play in the casino. The beginner needs to know only two wagers: pass line and don’t-pass line.
• Wear blinders and lay off the liquor: Research shows that both high testosterone levels and alcohol consumption hamper sound financial decisions in men. Keep it to one cocktail an hour.
• Casino carpets are deliberately hideous to keep your attention on the tables.

Know any other great tips in a casino? Tell us about them in the comments!

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