Have you watched Louis Theroux: Gambling In Las Vegas?

Louis Theroux’s 2007 documentary “Gambling In Las Vegas,” remains a memorable exploration of the world of high-stakes gambling. Directed by Stuart Cabb, the 60-minute episode takes viewers into the Las Vegas Hilton. The documentary introduces a cast of intriguing gamblers, leaving a lasting impression.

One standout character is Allan Erlick, known as “The Mattress King.” A high-roller from Toronto, Canada, Allan revels in the thrill of gambling at the roulette table, risking substantial amounts. Despite winning $50,000, he embodies the essence of a gambler, stating, “Gamblers never stop.” Accompanied by his friend Richard Wilk, also known as the ‘Whale Hunter,’ Allan’s journey includes moments of opulence in the Hilton’s best suite and candid reflections on the risks of gambling.

Martha, an 80-year-old heavy smoker, is another compelling figure. Having lost over $4 million in seven years, she frequents the casino daily, seemingly unburdened by the financial toll. Her son, Seth, accepts her choices, even as Martha gambles away his potential inheritance. The documentary captures Martha’s carefree attitude, with her asserting, “If there’s nothing left, there’s nothing left.”

Richard Wilk, the ‘Whale Hunter,’ is a key player who facilitates major gamblers’ entry into casinos, ensuring they continue to bet big. His close association with Allan Erlick adds complexity to the narrative, as he describes Allan as a friend and high-roller. The dynamics of their relationship unfold against the backdrop of significant gambling losses.

John Rominelli and Tim Nordahl, presented as “salesmen on a 3-Day Blitz,” contribute a touch of humor. Their banter, laughter, and contrasting fortunes provide moments of levity. Despite their initial confidence, the duo’s gambling escapades take a downturn, highlighting the unpredictable nature of casino activities. Louis Theroux’s interactions with them showcase the highs and lows of the gambling experience.

The documentary skillfully weaves together these diverse stories, offering a glimpse into the captivating world of Las Vegas gambling. The characters, each with their quirks and motivations, contribute to the overall narrative of risk, reward, and the allure of the casino. Louis Theroux’s insightful interviews and observations provide viewers with a nuanced understanding of the mindset of gamblers, capturing both the excitement and the pitfalls of the high-stakes lifestyle.

With its well-received reception by both viewers and critics, “Gambling In Las Vegas” remains a timeless exploration of the human experience within the thrilling and often tumultuous realm of high-stakes gambling.

Why choose Online Casinos?

I’m pretty sure that on a night out we’ve all (or most of us!) ended up at a casino. These captivating bricks and mortar establishments have a habit of drawing people in with their bright lights and the potential for a big win. We’ve all heard stories of slots players winning it big and having a night to dream of on slots, poker or roulette, so is it any great surprise that we all fancy a bit of that luck rubbing off on us too. Even if we’re in a more sober and sensible mood, having a fun time and a small wager can be time well spent compared to many of the alternatives. Still, not every night is a ‘going out’ night, or destined to be a big night on the town.

Online casinos have many advantages over their ‘real world’ counterpart. For one you can play them from the comfort of your own home, which is a real plus after a tiring work day when all you want to do is unwind. Just as importantly though are the impressive sign up bonuses and the like (free spins etc) that can often come bundled with joining a new online casino. In an ultra competitive environment so many companies are looking for your custom that in some ways you’re already onto a winner.

Another pro point is the huge range of casino games right at the end of your finger tips. There are so many slots games for instance that you could play a new one every day, and the same applies to many of your other favourite casino games. The best minimum deposit casinos in the UK are available for gamblers of budgets both big or small, so there is no need to break the bank whether you’re a slots fan, a poker or blackjack player.

One last, but equally important plus of online play is that typically you’re able to look through your play history, deposits and so on to see how your gambling is going. Not to mention there’s also several ways to quickly fund your account and also withdraw your winnings, to make for a no nonsense, fun casino experience rather than something you have to put much effort into. In summing up, both online and bricks and mortar casinos have their place, but you’d be foolish not to have a one or two ‘ready to go’ online casino site accounts to hand. Variety is the spice of life.

What’s the history of blackjack?

Blackjack is derived from the ancient game of ‘twenty-one’, which is believed to have existed in Spain, as ‘veintiuna’, in the seventeenth century and subsequently spread to France, as ‘vingt-un’, or ‘vingt-et-un’, the surrounding countries, including Britain, and eventually to America from the early eighteenth century onwards. Vingt-un, albeit occasionally pronounced, and written, as ‘Van John’, was played under its French name in Britain and America throughout the nineteenth century.

However, until 1931, when gambling was legalised in Nevada and the first gaming licence was awarded to the Northern Club on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, vingt-un was played in illicit casinos and speakeasies. In fact, blackjack wasn’t called actually ‘blackjack’ until the twentieth century; in the early days of legitimate gambling in Las Vegas, casinos offered a series of promotional bonus payments, one of which was 10/1 against a hand consisting of the ace of spades and the jack of spades or the jack of clubs or, in other words, a ‘black jack’. Of course, that bonus payment for ‘blackjack’ no longer exists – the best modern patrons can hope for is odds of 3/2 and, even then, only in a standard, six-deck game – but the name stuck.

Following the publication of basic blackjack strategy – a mathematically correct set of rules for playing any hand – in the Fifties, blackjack quickly rose to become the most popular casino game in Las Vegas. Subsequently, in the face of multi-deck shoes and apparently minor rule changes, not least cutting the payout on blackjack to 6/5 in all bar single-deck games, the popularity of blackjack has waned slightly. Even so, blackjack remains the second most popular card game on the Las Vegas Strip, after baccarat.

What is ‘triple zero’ roulette?

Traditionally, the American version of roulette featured 38 numbers, including a single and a double zero. The ‘double zero’ roulette table already increased the house edge to 5.26%, compared with 2.7% for the European version, which features 37 numbers, including just a single zero. However, in recent times, numerous casinos in Las Vegas have introduced ‘triple zero’ roulette which, as the name suggests, features 39 numbers, including a single, a double and a triple zero. The addition of the triple zero – effectively another pocket that is not considered red or black, high or low or odd or even – increases the house edge to 7.69%.

Originally introduced, as ‘Sands Roulette’, at The Venetian in 2016, a triple zero roulette typically offers a lower table limit than double, or single, zero roulette as a ploy to entice recreational gamblers – who may be gambling for enjoyment, rather than to make money – to play at disadvantageous odds. It can be argued that a player making the minimum bet on a triple zero roulette table will lose less, in a given period of time, than a player making the minimum bet on a double zero roulette table, but – akin to blackjack paying odds of 6/5, rather than 3/2, on single-deck tables – the lower table minimum costs 2.43% in terms of the house edge, with no increase in payouts.

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