A casino is an enticing place, full of bright lights, buzzing sounds, and the potential for big wins. The thrill of playing blackjack, the strategy of roulette, and the pure chance of a slot machine spin can all entice players to spend their hard-earned money in hopes of striking it rich.

But despite their flash and excitement, gambling is not as fun as it looks in the movies. It can be very easy to lose more than you win, and casinos count on this fact. They make sure to hide clocks and other sources of time, and they serve free booze to keep their patrons tipsy and losing track of how long they’ve been gambling.

The labyrinthine layout of a casino is purposefully confusing, with no clear pathways to the exits. Casinos also avoid having bathrooms near the entrances, and instead opt for having them deep inside the facility, forcing players to pass many more opportunities to try their luck. And then there’s the fact that a casino’s owners know that heavy drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the chances of someone making a bad decision. That’s why they serve free booze constantly, even as they calculate how much money they’re winning every day from tipsy patrons.

To further reduce the likelihood of a big loss, casinos often change your cash into colored chips that look just like real money, allowing you to continue to gamble without feeling the pain of your losses. But even this doesn’t work for everyone. If you find yourself losing more than you’re winning, it might be time to walk away from the table.