A casino is a gaming hall that doubles as a night out. Slot machines and table games fill the floor, and around them you'll often find restaurants, bars, live music, shows and a hotel. They range from huge resort casinos to smaller riverboat, racetrack and tribal casinos, and in some areas card rooms that offer poker and little else.

On the floor, slot and video poker machines let you play at your own pace, while table games like blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat are run by a dealer, with a minimum bet posted at each table. Poker rooms work differently: you play against the other players rather than the house, and the casino takes a small cut of each pot or charges for your seat.

The Date Activity

A casino date works best when you treat the money as the price of the entertainment, not an investment. Agree on a budget for the night, bring it in cash, leave the cards at home and stop when it's gone. Learning a game together is half the fun. Low-minimum tables on a weeknight are friendlier to beginners, and some casinos offer free lessons in games like craps or blackjack during quieter hours.

Build the evening around more than gambling. Have a nice dinner, catch a show or the band in the lounge, then play for an hour. If you'd rather laugh than lose, end the night at a comedy club, or swap the slots for an afternoon at the horse races.

On Your Own / With Friends

With a group, a casino is a lively place for a birthday or a bachelor or bachelorette party. Craps is the classic group game, since most of the table wins and loses together and the cheering is contagious. Agree ahead of time that nobody lends or borrows money, and pick a place and time to meet up again.

On your own, slot machines and poker rooms are easy to enjoy solo, and a blackjack table is a friendly place to chat with strangers.

Good to Know

You must be of legal gambling age, which depends on the state and the casino, and you'll need a valid photo ID. Gamble only what you can afford to lose, set a time limit as well as a money limit, and never chase losses; every game is built to give the house an edge over time. The free players' club card earns points toward meals and perks, but don't let rewards keep you playing. If drinks are offered while you play, pace yourself, tip your server and never drive after drinking. If gambling stops being fun, problem gambling helplines offer free, confidential help.