Casino Myths Debunked

Hit the jackpot. Strike it rich. Go from rags to riches. Games of chance appeal to our fantasies. No wonder the gaming industry is on a roll and casino travel is becoming more popular than ever! The word of gambling is exciting, opulent and glamorous. It’s also mysterious and completely random. No wonder it’s generated so many casino myths!

Some of the misconceptions are harmless, while others can reduce your chances of winning — and even lead to a gambling addiction. Then again, a few casino myths are actually true.

Top 10 casino myths

Casino Myth 1: If I lose and keep playing, I will win back my losses.

It’s called “chasing losses,” and it’s exactly the wrong strategy when you’re in the red. The longer you play, the more you’re likely to lose.

Casino Myth 2: I’m due to win now.

Also known as Gambler’s Fallacy, the idea is that if a random outcome occurs more often than expected in a short period, then it is less likely to happen in the future. For instance, if you’re playing roulette and black wins six times in a row (it’s happened), you place your bet on red because you figure it can’t happen again. But that’s not how randomness works. Each new spin of the wheel or roll of the dice or pull of the arm of the slot machine is independent, not based on previous outcomes.

Casino Myth 3: Card counting is illegal.

Despite all the movies based on this casino myth, it’s not illegal. Keeping track of high and low cards dealt at the blackjack table is a skill and a successful betting strategy. While you won’t get thrown in jail if you’re counting cards, you may get thrown out of a casino. Since they are privately owned and run, the management has the right to “back off” or “bar” anyone from their property.

casino myths — The ARIA Gaming floor. (Photo: MGM Resorts International)

Casino Myth 4: Slot machines are looser near the aisles/at the front of the casino.

This is based on the idea that more payouts, noise, and excitement in these high traffic areas would encourage others to keep on playing. But all slot machines at any given casino are programmed for the same odds – though those odds vary, depending on the casino.

Casino Myth 5: They pump oxygen into the air to keep gamblers awake and playing longer.

Really, does casino air smell healthy and oxygenated to you? And given the size of these casinos, filling the air with all that gas might get a little expensive (not to mention dangerous when striking a match).

Casino Myth 6: There are no clocks or windows in casinos so you lose track of time.

Maybe in the old days, but more casinos open their gaming environments to the outdoors, some even have gaming on terraces, or natural lighting through skylights. But you still won’t find a clock on the wall.

Casino Myth 7: The most fabulous suites are reserved for high-rollers only.

In recent, casino hotels have opened the doors of at least some of their amazing suites to the public. So if you do much in the way of casino travel and want to go all in lodging-wise, you too can stay in that penthouse suite with the private pool, bowling alley or billiards room. If you can pay the $35,000-or-more-a-night rates. If not, you still have a chance — look for discounts, especially during slump periods, when you might be able to grab a room for as little as $5,000.

Facts that sound like casino myths

Casino Fact 1: The Nevada State Prison used to have a casino for inmates.

The casino was on the prison’s grounds in Carson City from 1932 to 1967.

Casino Fact 2: The storied Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco is one of the meccas of casino travel.

From its opulent surroundings to its high stakes games, it’s the ultimate casino for any gambler – except the local ones. Princess Caroline made it illegal for citizens to gamble in the casino in the mid-1800s, insisting that the revenue generated come only from foreigners.

Casino Fact 3: Casinos have to replace their carpeting since some gamblers refuse to take bathroom breaks.

According to David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV; “I think some people do it out of spite, and then there are those who have genuine bladder problems… But it is true that some die-hard gamblers don’t ever want to leave the table.” He advises that it “wouldn’t be a bad idea to check the seat before you sit down at a casino.”

On that note, what are some crazy casino myths that you’ve heard? Let us know in the comments below!

To see how true some of these rumors are, you might have to take a casino vacation for yourself. Plan and book your next trip with AAA.