If they had a convention of HN commenters in Vegas, it would probably be their best week ever. So many people sure they've found some secret way to beat the odds. It's a casino boss's dream come true.
Ultimately, it's just another job. But if you enjoy the social aspect, then it makes sense.
Here's one bonus observation that I learned the first time I was in Vegas - the papers that are handed out inside the convention center doors are generally related to the conference you're attending. The papers that are handed out outside the doors are NOT.
I'm sure some teams will choose a Vegas film over another just for the perks.
Besides, casinos will often give you free booze simply because you're sat at a table gambling. You don't have to actually win money to profit! You just need to start sensible, and then keep it going long enough to get drunk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advantage_gambling
But my personal favorite, as a physics major, is the observation that most roulette wheels are unfair, due to slight asymmetries. If only you could get good surveillance of the roulette tables for a few days (hard to do alone), you could make a killing. On roulette!
Basically to throw off anyone who might try this technique, as dealers often will throw very similarly for each spin.
If you are satisfied in demonstrating at some low dollar amount that you can predict the outcomes reliably, then enjoy the success. But you won't get rich from it.
Yeah, but you have to get drunk with a bunch of random gamblers. I'd sooner go sober.
when the inevitable "are you counting cards?" question comes, I simply answer, dryly, "no, I just understand math". it's usually at that point they close the table for the night.