A casino is a place where champagne glasses clink and glitzy lights flash and glitter. It’s a place where tourists and locals mingle to try their luck at games from poker to roulette, and where there’s an energy that can be felt in your bones. It’s a place that’s as much about socializing as it is about gambling for a win.

The games are the heart of any casino. From classic table games like blackjack and poker that test players’ wits and skills to the simpler slots and roulette that are more laid back, there’s something for everyone. And the best part? No matter what you’re playing, the house always wins.

That’s why casinos design their spaces to entice gamblers and keep them in the casino until they’re ready to leave. Friedman’s design theory is based on the notion that you need to remove all indicators of time, such as clocks, from the casino floor to ensure the player stays in the game. That way, they never have a chance to realize that they need to go use the restroom or that it’s nearly closing time.

While most casino patrons don’t consider the casino’s decor and psychology when they’re putting down bets, it’s there. In fact, most people don’t know that their favorite casino is designed to make them spend more money and crave coming back, even though the house always wins.