Those who gamble in a casino or make sports bets will at one time or other realise that psychology has a strong influence on gambling behaviour. The reward system of the human brain is very powerful among the other psychological factors and processes. Its influences are very often seen in a negative context. They can actually be used as an advantage!

The procedure which takes place in the human brain during gambling can be reduced to one denominator: happiness is desirable. Just the idea of being successful in gambling is often enough to trigger Dopamine and Serotonin. The spirits rise and the feelings of happiness spread.

This sense of well-being is soon established by the trigger factor which is “gambling”. The brain realises: When I gamble in the casino, gambling hall, or with sports betting providers I feel good – I would like to feel like this more often and be rewarded more often.

It is easily evident that such a link is parallel to the classic addictive behaviour and can obviously be very problematic. However, few people know that they can also make use of these types of processes the other way round, i.e., to play safely. Developing an awareness for the psychology of games of chance is an important key here.

Developing awareness for the psychology of games of chance

If one knows how his or her brain will react to stakes, losses, and winnings in games of chance, one is more prudent when making stakes. This does not mean that gambling is then less fun. There is an even greater probability that one is even happier, because a strategic component is added to the gambling behaviour.

Gamblers who make use of a strategic approach deal very precisely in the services they use. This begins with a careful examination of the slots and reviews and continues with the respective pay table or play-money mode and complex sports betting strategies, which are placed through several bookies after optimal research in a particularly methodical process.

Corresponding approaches aim to significantly decrease the own risk and increase the winning potential. If this succeeds, the reward system is stimulated even more. The pleasure is of course greater when one “gets one over” the casino or the bookmaker through knowhow.

This brings in de facto even the perception or the awareness of psychological processes. It is even significant. Only if one knows what happens cognitively when gambling can one channel these influences and use them for the purpose of his or her strategies.

In this connection one should not make neither extreme nor minimal use of psychology. Ideally one should however make use of it to reduce the risk and increase the potential of having success.

These effects and interactions are simplified in the following diagram:

Knowing psychological influences > channelling the relevant effects and making them part of the strategy and reducing risks > make a safer win and being cognitively rewarded

Strategically controlling feelings and channelling them

There are various approaches how to channel psychology and the often-significant feelings whilst gambling. Basically this already happens if one knows which psychological effects typically occur. Discipline often plays an important role in having control of things. Setting up limits and having suitable money management skills can be a great influence here.

For example, it is possible to train the reward system that it starts up when it comes to limit deposits or stakes and having a strict budget in case of winning:

“My strategy was successful, I play carefully, safer and exploit my winning potential“ – it is fun, keep it up.

Maybe now you are thinking:

“whilst playing I cannot constantly concentrate on what is going on in my head!”

Of course, this is hardly possible, and it also must not be the case if one wants it to have a positive effect. For a start it is enough to occasionally realise what is happening cognitively when one is winning or losing or when making use of enticing strategies.

There is no doubt that it is not always possible to confidently lead the own game in the corresponding direction. It can often take time till there is a consistent implementation. However by being informed and aware of the basic psychological processes which occur when one is gambling and being aware that these exist one can have better chances in stalling the relevant processes. Ideally some day they will be taking place subconsciously and automatically.

In the long run one will be playing with a strong mental foundation. Under these type of circumstances there is less chance that gambling problems will surface.

Conclusion

The psychology of games of chance is a very complex issue. Therefore, relevant procedures and strategies can hardly be dealt with in detail in the framework which is being discussed here. That would not be helpful but would rather be fast and unclear and it would look confusing.

You should however take this with you: it is eventually very helpful to be aware that it is possible to psychologically control your own game. Just by knowing the relevant procedures one can reduce one’s own risk significantly.

What are your experiences with regards to psychology of games of chance? Are you aware of the relevant effects and do you make use of them when possible whilst gambling?

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/buro-gesichtslos-verwischen-innen-7176027/

What do you think of the article?

0 Comments to: How one makes use of psychology whilst gambling

write a comment

Our community thrives on your feedback - so let us know what you think!

Would you like to write comments on GambleJoe yourself? Then just create a GambleJoe User Account.

  • upload your own winning pictures or videos
  • rate online casinos and slot machines
  • write comments and take part in our forum
  • take part in the monthly GJ Coin lottery
  • and much more