Leisure

Once a game reserved for gun-wielding tough guys in dimly lit smoke-filled back rooms, poker has made an amazing transition to the mainstream. Now there are weekly poker games in homes all over the United States, along with a nationally-televised World Series of Poker.

By Ed Grabianowski

Slot machines may be computerized now, but they’re still the most popular gambling attraction at many casinos. While we can’t tell you how to improve your chances, we will explain how the machines are constructed and how to calculate the odds of winning.

By Tom Harris

Ever wonder how to calculate your chances of winning all that money? Does it seem strange that a $10 million jackpot turns into a $2.5 million payout? Get the lowdown on the lotteries -- from the odds to the payoffs.

By Karim Nice

I recently visited a big city, and I saw some "three card monte" and "shell games" on street corners and in the subway. I know these games are a scam, but I can't figure out the trick. How do these games work? Is there any way to win?

The Cave of Magic is a classic card trick that demonstrates some principles of magic tricks in general. Like many others, this trick relies on the power of suggestion and the brain's tendency to ignore fine detail. Learn more about the Cave of Magic.

In almost every deck of cards are a pair of relatively useless but well-decorated cards -- the infamous jokers. Where did these cards come from and why do they continue to put jokers in a deck of cards?