1989: The opening of The Mirage, the first mega-resort, indicates a shift towards family-friendly entertainment, with attractions beyond just gambling. 1946: The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, with its ties to mobster Bugsy Siegel, introduces a new era of glamorous, mob-funded casinos. Players could now access their favorite games from the comfort of their own homes. 1960s-1970s: Corporate investment, led by figures like Howard Hughes, begins to push out mob influence, transforming Vegas into a more mainstream entertainment destination. The pioneering online casinos emerged in the mid-1990s, offering unprecedented convenience. The Digital Revolution and the Future
The late 20th century brought the most significant change to the industry since the legalization in Nevada: the internet. Key Milestones in Las Vegas

1941: The El Rancho Vegas opens, becoming the first resort on what would become the Las Vegas Strip. This triggered an explosion in the industry's growth.

A savvy player understands these differences and chooses games that offer better odds, thereby prolonging their playtime and increasing their chances of a short-term win. A Look at Specific Game Odds
The house edge varies significantly from one game to another. Let's examine the house edge in some of the most popular casino games.

This means that, over a very long period, the game is programmed to return 96% of all wagered money to players. - Win Frequency: This describes how a game pays out. A high-volatility game (like many progressive jackpot slots) pays out infrequently, but the wins can be massive. Players can lose their bankroll quickly on these games, but they also have a chance at a life-changing score. It allows for longer play sessions but offers smaller jackpots. A player looking for a long, steady session should choose a low-edge, low-volatility game like Blackjack or Baccarat. A player dreaming of a massive jackpot might gravitate towards a high-volatility slot machine, accepting the higher risk. If a game has a 4% house edge, its RTP is 96%. A low-volatility game (like many video poker variants) pays out small wins frequently. But a knowledgeable player who understands the numbers can make informed choices, maximize their entertainment value, and maybe even walk away a winner in the short term. In the end, the math is undeniable: the casino is a business designed for profit. Understanding the interplay between the house edge, RTP, and volatility allows a player to choose a game that aligns with their goals and risk tolerance. Return to Player (RTP): This is simply the other side of the house edge.

When the Dealer is Weak (Upcard 2 through 6): The dealer is more likely to bust. When the Dealer is Strong (Upcard 7 through Ace): The dealer is likely to make a strong hand. Avoid hitting on risky hands like 12-16. Soft Hands: A "hard hand" is one without an Ace, or where the Ace must count as 1. A "soft hand" contains an Ace that can count as 11 without busting. You should hit your hard totals of 12-16 until you reach at least 17. You can play soft hands more aggressively because you cannot bust by taking one more card. This is also the prime time to double down and split to get more money on the table when the dealer is vulnerable. For example, you should always hit on a Soft 17 (Ace-6). You need to be more aggressive to win. In these situations, you should be more conservative. Learning and applying basic strategy is the single most important thing a Blackjack player can do. By playing smart, you can turn a simple card game into a compelling strategic challenge. It won't make you win every time—luck is still a major factor in the short term—but it will give you the best possible chance to win and will ensure that the casino's edge over you is as small as possible.

Used when your hand total is low (e.g., 11 or less) and you are unlikely to bust. Action
Description
When to Consider It


Hit
Request one more card. Double Down
Double your initial bet, but you only receive one more card. Used when your hand total is high (e.g., 17 or more) and hitting is too risky. Stand
End your turn. A powerful move used when you have a strong starting hand (e.g., a total of 10 or casino 11) and casino the dealer's upcard is weak. Split
If you have two cards of the same value (e.g., two 8s), you can split them into two separate hands. Surrender
(Not always offered) Forfeit your hand and lose half your bet. You must place a second bet equal to your first. Making the Mathematically Correct Play
For every possible combination of your hand and the dealer's upcard, there is one mathematically optimal decision (hit, stand, double, or split) that will result in the highest expected return over the long run. This set of decisions is called "Basic Strategy." It was developed through computer simulations and is typically displayed in a color-coded chart. A good option when you have a very weak hand casino (like 16) and the dealer has a very strong upcard (like a 10 or Ace). While memorizing the entire chart can seem daunting, casino learning a few key rules can dramatically improve your game: Never split 10s or 5s. Always split Aces and 8s.