The Secret Psychology of Gamblers
People’s thinking can affect how they play games. One common mistake is called the “gambler’s fallacy.” This is when players think that because something happened in the past, it will happen again in the future. This can lead to bad decisions and losing money. Casinos use this trick, along with other ways to make people want to gamble more.
The Gambler’s Fallacy
The gambler’s fallacy happens when players think a certain outcome is coming after a series of losses. Like, if a roulette wheel lands on red many times in a row, they might believe black is more likely to happen next. They bet on black because of this. But each spin of the wheel is separate, and the chances stay the same no matter what happened before. This wrong thinking can make players feel too sure of themselves and bet more money, often to try to win back what they lost.
In many casino environments, especially online, the design elements of games reinforce a cognitive bias known as the gambler’s fallacy. For instance, slot machines often display the number of times a player has not won a significant payout, subtly suggesting that a big win is imminent. This creates a psychological incentive to continue playing, as players feel they are on the verge of a major payout.
Emotional Triggers
Feelings are important in gambling. When people feel things like excitement, frustration, or hope, it can change how they make decisions. For example, after losing, a person may feel emotional and try to win back their money by betting more. This can lead to impulsive decisions that aren’t part of their original plan and can cause even bigger losses.
Casinos use games to create exciting feelings in players. For example, when a player wins a small amount, the game may use animations and sounds to make them feel like they’ve really achieved something. This excitement keeps players engaged and hopeful, even when they’re not winning very much money.
Reward and Punishment Cycles
Games use a cycle of rewards and punishments to keep players interested and excited. Pokies use an intermittent reward system, where players get small wins sometimes and bigger wins rarely. This unpredictability is based on psychological research that shows players prefer unpredictable rewards to consistent ones. Players keep playing, believing they’ll win big even though they are losing overall.
Games often encourage risky behavior. Players may increase bets after losses, hoping to win back their money. This can lead to a cycle of chasing losses fueled by biases and emotions.