Using psychology to understand why we like to play

One thing that every person is proud of is to be unique. We make our own paths, make our own destinies. Yet the truth is, we are both a lot simpler and a lot more complex than we really think we are.

One of the areas where it comes to the surface is when we delve deeper into the psychology behind the game. We have certain predetermined responses to music, colors, and even patterns that when used in the context of a win. winner, or near miss, trigger the response to celebrate or play “just one more game.”

the game psychology is a fascinating subject. It’s interesting how people become addicted and why they can’t seem to stop themselves from making bets, even if it means losing money that would otherwise be spent on other things like food or shelter.

What type of player are you?

Over the years, many studies have focused on key personality traits and their responses to gambling-related stimuli.

The one that really struck us was the research of psychiatrist Robert L. Custer, who identified six key characters in the game:

  1. The professional player
  2. The antisocial gamer
  3. The casual social gamer
  4. The serious social player
  5. The escape player
  6. The compulsive gambler

With those six basic characters in place, it becomes simple to figure out where we each fall and then be able to keep track of whether we’re playing within healthy settings.

Through the work of Dr. Custer, the American Psychiatric Association recognized compulsive gambling as a psychological disorder in the 1980s, which is one of the main reasons drug addicts and their families receive the level of support they receive today.

What does gambling add to our lives?

Hollywood has given us some very conflicting views on what it means to be a gamer and what that says about the person who plays. On the one hand, it gives us the hero character who rushes into a casino, plays a few hands, wins big and is the envy of everyone present. Then he shows us the schemers and villains who manipulate, lie, and cheat to get ahead.

Yet while fun to watch onscreen, none of these tropes hold true for the average person who enjoys gaming as a hobby.

Here are three more reasons someone is likely to play in our current climate:

  1. The desire to control

The world has always been a crazy place, but in recent months this fact has come to light in an unprecedented way. For many players who prefer what are called “games of skill”, the game allows them to take control of the world around them, putting their skills to the test. Whether it is against the dealer at a blackjack table or against other players around a poker table.

  1. The need to connect with others

Gambling has always been a rather social event, with players forming lasting friendships with those with whom they regularly share the casino. With the booming live dealer casino market, players can now continue this tradition by chatting with dealers and other players at their favorite live tables.

  1. The thrill of the hunt

For most players, the anticipation of a win, while waiting to see if the last card turned over will result in a bad beat or a big win, is the highlight of a game. Yes, winning is good, but so are the accounts of fishermen about the “victory that almost was” and the “jackpot that escaped”.

Find and maintain balance

We have to realize that none of the above reasons for gambling take place in isolation from each other.

Only 11% of players end up with a positive balance and 13.5% end up with debt. These game stats speak for themselves and have a bigger influence on people, but gamers often overlook them.

Casino developers use exciting music to almost win us over to make sure we play one more hand, shared experiences can create false attachments without any real substance, and if you’re proud of your control the inevitable losses can. be difficult to manage.

As a gambling enthusiast, it is important to balance these three attractive factors with their realities:

  1. All casino games, even those requiring a certain level of skill, are inherently based on luck. A great poker player knows how to play well the cards that are dealt to him, but he cannot control the cards that are dealt to him.
  2. We need to create friendships and bonds that provide a level of responsibility. It means caring for those relationships that drive us in the real world, not relying solely on the exciting camaraderie of shared victories and losses.
  3. We need to find the joy of company, the right food, and other normal daily experiences to stay balanced. The continuation of the wave of wins and losses will force the brain to need more and more extreme stimuli to trigger the “happiness center” which can lead to gambling addiction.

You should also make sure you stay knowledgeable about the casino industry and read casino and gaming reviews before getting into the game right away.

When you can find a balance, gambling will always be an enjoyable and healthy pastime that you can enjoy for years to come.

As the industry evolves and online casinos begin to implement social features, among many other developments, it is up to you to make the most of them by playing responsibly above all else. .

Psychology will always make us excited about betting, and fascinating games can take all of our time, but it’s up to us to focus on healthy relationships with the gambling world.


Interesting Related Article: “The Rising Global Sports Betting Market”